
Reuters
Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s new president whose nickname is “the crocodile”, has pledged to crack down on corruption, hold elections on schedule and restore relations with the West.
Here are the key moments from his speech that were applauded by the 60,000-strong crowd.
I am required to serve our country as the president of all citizens regardless of colour, creed, religion, tribe, totem or political affiliation.”
Our economic policy will be predicated on our agriculture, our command agriculture, which is the mainstay and on creating conditions for investment-led economic recovery that puts a premium on job, job, job creation.”
The liquidity challenges, which have bedevilled the economy, must be tacked head on, with real solutions being generated as a matter of urgency. People must be able to access their earnings and savings as and when they need them.”
Gone are the days of absenteeism…days of undue delays and forestalling decisions and services in the hope of extorting dirty rewards. Those days are over.”
I stand here today to say that our country is ready and willing for a steady re-engagement with all the nations of the world.”
As we build a new, democratic Zimbabwe, we ask those who have punished us in the past to reconsider their economic and political sanctions against us. Whatever misunderstandings may have subsisted in the past, let this make way for a new beginning.”
I wish to be clear, all foreign investments will be safe in Zimbabwe.”
Brothers and sisters, the people of Zimbabwe, the task before us is much bigger than competing for political office. Let us all play our part to build this great country, together, as Zimbabweans.May God bless Zimbabwe, I thank you.”
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