Robert Mugabe Speech 26th Independence Celebrations, 18th April 2006

I welcome you warmly to these Celebrations which mark yet another chapter in our twenty-six years of Independence and Sovereignty. As I do so, I say thank you to all our people who have stood firm in the defence of our country, in different capacities, and resisted the enemy's repeated attempts to reverse our Independence. Today's Celebrations also have an enhanced resonance from the good rain season, which should give us improved harvests this year. Further, the Celebrations carry the echoes of the September 2005 landmark, when through Constitutional Amendment No. 17, Government removed the legal hurdles that had inhibited the speedy and conclusive implementation of the Land Reform Programme. As we are aware, the Amendment designates all the land acquired for resettlement purposes as State land. Consequently, the historic milestone has already facilitated the transfer of 5 256 commercial farms, measuring over 8 million hectares to the State as owner. Because agriculture is a vital cog in the overall turnaround of the country's economy, Government has provided several measures to strengthen and enhance the sector, which include financial support schemes, seed, fertilizer and tillage equipment in respect of cropping. In the area of livestock, there has been the provision of bulls and heifers to the smallholder farmers. To enhance the availability of trained agricultural experts, Government has increased the number of agricultural colleges and institutes offering both diplomas and certificates. The process has transformed former Youth Training Centers into full-fledged training centers with the first intake enrolling this year. Our economy has over the last three years suffered from the effects of both a spate of devastating droughts and an evil programme of unjustified sanctions resulting in various shortages of food, drugs in hospitals and clinics, electricity supply and steep rises in prices of essential commodities. In response to these challenges, Government has adopted the National Economic Development Priority Programme [NEDPP] stabilize the economy in the next 6-9 months by focusing on food security and increased agricultural production; foreign exchange generation and moblization through the full utilization of the idle capacity in all sectors of the economy, to be accompanied by aggressive marketing of Zimbabwe as a conducive investment destination. Consequently, the economy is expected to grow by between 1-2 per cent this year, underpinned by agriculture with a forecast growth rate of 9 per cent. Government is examining several strategic alliances and joint ventures that can facilitate injection of additional capital and access to modern technology, and hence address the underutilization of capacity at most parastatals. Already, Ziscosteel has benefited from this new thrust through a management contract with Global Steel Holdings of India. Tourism remains one of the pillars of our economic recovery. In this context, the "Look East Policy" is undergoing refinement in order to achieve a rewarding diversification of tourism markets. To ensure self-sufficiency in energy and power generation, Government has engaged potential investors, again, under the "Look East Policy", to expand Hwange and Kariba power stations by an additional 300 and 600 Megawatts, respectively. In order to improve efficiency in the sector, a Regulatory Commission has been established to regulate the electricity industry and to promote private sector participation in power generation. The provision of good infrastructure and social services remains a sine qua non of any economic turnaround programme. Government has thus continued with the improvement and maintenance of both rural and urban road networks. In addition, a number of bridges were contracted and completed in all the country's 10 provinces last year. Similarly, the goal of affordable shelter is another major priority for Government. In this context, in May last year, Government embarked on Operation Restore Oder [ Murambatsvina], which was immediately followed by Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle, in order to achieve the twin objectives of storing order and cleanless to our cities, while also addressing the housing needs of our people. Additionally, we are, through the same programme, providing better-planned and more hygienic operating places for vendors. I am pleased to note that of the 7 478 planned units for Phase One of Operation Garikai/ Hlalani Kuhle, 3325 were completed last year, and have been allocated to deserving beneficiaries. Operation Garikai/ hlalani Kuhle will continue, albeit with a shift towards now providing infrastructure and services to project sites and stands for beneficiaries who can construct their own houses on Aided Self-Help basis. In addition, Government disbursed grants of $1.1 trillion to local authorities for further expansion and maintenance of critical infrastructure. To ensure access to safe clean drinking water by communal and resettled communities, a total of 68 new water points were established, while 8 700 boreholes and 4 200 deep wells underwent various levels of maintenance. Further, 48 dams are under repair and 21 small to medium-sized irrigation schemes are being rehabilitated in communal resettlement areas. Over the last twelve months, Government has remained steadfast and focused on poverty reduction and alleviation of the current economic hardships being borne by vulnerable social groups. Thus, Government allocated $160 billion towards the drought relief programme last year. We are happy that no one anywhere in the drought stricken areas was allowed to die of hunger. We thank the arms of Government, which were put in charge of drought relief and the Church and other organizations that offered complementary efforts. My Government values the youth as future leaders and protectors of our revolution who should be empowered and correctly oriented towards nation building. To this end, in 2005, Government supported twenty-eight projects worth $1.165 billion and used a further $1 billion to support commercial farming projects at five vocational training centers through the Employment Creation Fund. The creation of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development in April last year was a clear demonstration of our commitment to gender parity, unity and the empowerment of women. The Cassava Growing Programme, which is receiving assistance from neighbouring and other regional countries, the resuscitation of women's clubs, and the promotion of village banks are some of the grassroots activities designed to help women play a useful role in the economic life of our country. Given the global advancements in Information and Communication Technology, Government has strengthened the teaching of computer studies in schools, by stepping up the provision of computers and computer software in schools, colleges and universities. As part of this initiative, various institutions have so far received more than 7 295 computers under the President's computer programme. Efforts to consolidate the National HIV and AIDS fight have, however, started to pay off, with a drop in the HIV prevalence rate, although more still needs to be done in the area of behaviour change. The local manufacture of anti-retroviral drugs [ARVs] has seen their cost dropping to near affordable levels. In foreign relations, I am pleased to inform you that our enhanced diplomatic presence in China, Iran, Indonesia, India and Malaysia has given a large boost to our efforts in exploring business opportunities in that region. The rationalization of Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection agreements [BIPPAS] is a clear commitment by the Government to bolster investor confidence. It should be clearly stated however that Foreign Investment should take cognizance of our Indigenisation and Empowerment policy and programmes under which the equity balances as between foreigners and Zimbabweans are regulated. Zimbabwe's active participation in various international for a, including the Southern African Development Community, African Union, United Nations and Non Aligned Movement Summits, has helped to safeguard our national interests and to cement support for our policies. We have, at these international for a, highlighted our principled stance on the issue of empowering our people through the Land Reform Programme and also clarified how our detractors have sought to vilify, isolate and punish us for implementing that programme. It is encouraging to note that we have, as a result, strengthened old friendships and established new ones, particularly in the context of our " Look East Policy" as well as South South Cooperation. Attempts by our detractors to nefariously put Zimbabwe on the agenda of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the United Nations Commission for Human Rights dismally failed because the progressive members of the international Community were able to see beyond the façade of those who have sought to falsely tarnish our image. We know that these evil forces have not given up on their designs and hence we should remain vigilant while also counting on the support we have so far received from our friends in the region and beyond. The Independence whose 26th Anniversary we are celebrating today was achieved first and foremost through the gallant efforts of our sons and daughters, the freedom fighters or liberation veterans, many of whom are serving in our defence and police forces and other arms of Government. Our Arms of Defence, Police and Security have, through their high level of loyalty, commitment and discipline, continued to display an equally high level of vigilance in safeguarding our security, law and order. Any one, therefore, who dares lead any group of persons to embark on a campaign of violence or terrorist activities, will be inviting the full wrath of the law to descend mercilessly on him or those who follow him. We thank and praise our Security Forces for continuing to sustain our Independence and securing our national Sovereignty against saboteurs, conspirators and criminals. We wish also to praise our Forces for participating in the Garikai and Maguta/Inala programmes. Finally, I would like to thank the Nation for understanding the real nature of our present challenges. This indeed is a clear demonstration of the resolute spirit of Zimbabweans in defending their national Sovereignty. Hence as we celebrate 26 years of our Independence and Sovereignty, let us do so in the knowledge that the unity and oneness of our efforts as Zimbabweans is crucial, especially in the face of the present hard challenges. Zimbabwe is the one and only country we have. Let us make it great with unity in peace because we are a great, peaceful and progressive people. Enjoy yourselves because Zimbabwe is yours forever. Amhlope, Makorokoto and Congratulations!! I thank you.