Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is SADC’s fastest growing economy despite sanctions

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA 

In calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa said that Zimbabwe is the fastest growing economy in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

He made the remarks in his address at the 78th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, United States of America, on Thursday.

‘Masters of [our] own destiny’ ... The president claims economic success despite sanctions 

Bemoaning the negative impact of “illegal, unilateral” economic sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans, the president outlined that Western sanctions on Zimbabwe—which have been in place for 23 years—are created to “subjugate the sovereign will” of Zimbabweans.

Just like his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, Mnangagwa called for the unconditional removal of sanctions on both Zimbabwe and Cuba. 

The president said:

“Zimbabwe has been under the illegal, unilateral economic sanctions for 23 years, imposed by some Western countries. These sanctions were designed to subjugate the sovereign will of the Zimbabwean people.

“We, therefore, demand that the unjustified unilateral sanctions be unconditionally lifted, including those imposed on countries like Cuba. We remain grateful for the support and solidarity of progressive countries in the comity of nations.”

President Mnangagwa added that despite the sanctions, Zimbabweans have become masters of their own destiny and the country has registered remarkable economic growth in the region.

He touched on the ruling party’s philosophy of “nyika inovakwa nevana vayo” which stresses that a country is only developed by its own people using their own resources.

“In spite of these debilitating sanctions the people of Zimbabwe have become masters of their own destiny. This is anchored on a philosophy that as a people, we have the duty and responsibility of developing our country, using our own domestic resources,” Mnangagwa said.

He also said that Zimbabwe has achieved remarkable economic growth and development and it is SADC’s fastest growing economy.

“We are recording unprecedented development and xeconomic success milestones. For the last three years, our country has been the fastest growing economy in our Southern African region,” he said.

This is despite the majority of Zimbabweans living below the poverty datum line and civil servants being paid far less than what they were earning before October 2018.

Mnangagwa reiterated his mantra that “Zimbabwe is open for business” and invited investors to explore the opportunities in his country.

The president also highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, saying that Zimbabwe has not been spared from its effects. He said that Zimbabwe is investing in infrastructure to mitigate and build resilience towards climate change adaptation.

President Mnangagwa said that it is important for developing countries to embrace science, technology, and innovation for their modernisation and industrialisation.

“Science, technology and innovation are essential ingredients to leap frog the modernisation and industrialisation of developing countries. To this end, Zimbabwe continues to reap the benefits of a comprehensive and transformative heritage based higher education curriculum,” he remarked.

He also expressed his condolences to the governments and people of Morocco and Libya following the death of thousands of people due to an earthquake and floods, respectively.