Source: LIVE: ‘Principle of repossessing our land can’t be reversed,’ says Mnangagwa | News24
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as the new president of Zimbabwe, marking the final chapter of a political drama that toppled his predecessor Robert Mugabe after a military takeover. Follow the live updates
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13:31
Mnangagwa: The voice of the people is the voice of God
13:31
Mnangagwa: I solemnly promise to the best of my ability that I will serve each and every one who calls Zimbabwe home
13:31
Mnangagwa thanking all of those present
13:29
Mnangagwa: All foreign investments will be safe in Zimbabwe
13:28
Mnangagwa: As we build a new democratic Zimbabwe we ask those who have punished us in the past, to reconsider their political and economic sanctions… Let this make way for a new beginning
13:28
Mnangagwa: SADC is our home… and we commit ourselves to further its vision and ideals
13:28
Mnangagwa: Today the Republic of Zimbabwe enters the second phase of its birth
13:25
Mnangagwa: All citizens must feel secure and enjoy a sense of belonging in their land
13:23
13:21
Mnangagwa: The culture of government must change, and must change now
13:20
Mnangagwa: Gone, gone are the days of absenteeism. A new culture must now inform our daily conduct
13:20
Mnangagwa: To our civil servants, it can’t be business as usual. You now need to roll up your sleeves… We have an economy to recover, people to serve.
13:20
Mnangagwa: We have transpired to be a clean nation
13:19
People must be able to access their savings and their earnings as and when they need to
13:19
Mnangagwa says they welcome gainful partnerships with investors
13:19
Mnangagwa: Acts of corruption must story. Where these occur, swift, swift, swift justice must be served.
13:16
Mnangagwa emphasises the importance of job creation
13:16
Mnangagwa says the country belongs to future generations
13:16
Mnangagwa: Today however the Republic of Zimbabwe renews itself
13:16
Mnangagwa commits that the 2018 elections will be held as scheduled
13:16
He says Zimbabwe is a country of peace and Unity and that was shown the last few weeks
13:15
Mnangagwa thanks every Zimbabwean and his predecessor for the way the issues were dealt with
13:12
Mnangagwa says these issues must be addressed urgently and definitively
13:12
Mnangagwa: My government is committed to compensating those farmers from who farms were taken
13:10
Mnangagwa urges beneficiaries of land reform to take advantage of programmes to ensure food security and improve the economy
13:08
Mnangagwa says the principle of repossessing our land can not be reversed
13:08
Whilst I am aware that emotions and expectations are high, fellow countrymen as we chart our way forward we must accept that our challenges in the past emanate from our politics in the past
13:05
Mnangagwa says the country is blessed with rich resources
13:05
Mnangagwa: We must work together, you, me, all of us that make up this great nation
13:05
Mnangagwa appeals to Zimbabweans to declare that “never again” should the country suffer
13:05
Mnangagwa: The task at hand is that of rebuilding our great country
13:04
Mnangagwa: I humbly appeal to everyone of us to let bygones be bygones
13:04
Mnangagwa: For close to two decades this country went through many developments.
Mnangagwa says while the past can’t be changed, a lot can do to change the future
13:03
Mnangagwa acknowledges and honours other statesmen in attendance today
13:02
Mnangagwe says Mugabe remains a father, mentor and comrade in arms
13:02
Mnangagwa: Let us all accept and acknowledge his (Mugabe) immense contribution to the building of our nation
13:00
Mnangagwa: Let my pay special tribute to one of and the only surviving founding father of our country, comrade Robert Mugabe
13:00
Mnangagwa: Even as I make constant reference to my party, Zanu PF, I am not oblivious to the many other Zimbabweans
13:00
Mnangagwa: I admit that I hold not particular qualification that sets me apart from any other person to hold this office
12:59
Mnangagwa: I feel deeply humbled by the decision of my party, Zanu PF, inviting me to serve the Republic of Zimbabwe in capacity as president and commander in chief effective from today
12:58
Mnangagwe now thanking diplomats, wat veterans, representatives of different political parties, of the business community, religious figures, students and all other people
12:12
Mnangagwa now inspecting the guard of honour
12:06
Singing of the national anthem
COMMENTS
So long as a person is discriminated upon on the basis of the colour of his skin, despite being born in Zimbabwe, the country will never be accepted into the community of nations. It is unsustainable. If a white Zimbabwean wishes to farm in Zimbabwe, he should be allowed to do so, on exactly the same terms afforded to a black Zimbabwean. It is ludicrous to suggest that a skin tone makes a citizen of Zimbabwe a lesser Zimbabwean. Even Zambia has recognised that a white man, even though not born in that country may be allowed to farm, just as a black Zambian may be allowed to farm. Zimbabwe is backward and delinquent in this regard.
It has not taken long for the political rhetoric and propaganda to come out? Now Zimbabwean citizens that were victimised by Zanu are already being re-victimised by the new President in under 24 hours of his appointment? Oh yes. Citizens who may not have been part of the corrupt Zanu patronage system are again victimised because they chose to be agriculturalists. Past behaviour is invariably the best indication for future behaviour? Zanu has a new leopard at the helm – but the Zanu leopard nor the Zanu crocodile – it does not change its spots and in 24 hours we know the outcome?