News / Regional
Grace Mugabe vows to transform Binga
14 Aug 2015 at 07:42hrs | Views
THE First Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday took over supervision of the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme here and immediately vowed to transform its dream into reality. She said the people of Binga had been lied to for a long time and now needed sustainable development.
The First Lady, who recently announced that she would ensure that the multi-million dollar project is operationalised this year, visited the area to meet the traditional and local leadership and be briefed about the project.
She touched down at 9.42AM at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School grounds aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter amid loud cheers from the crowd that had gathered to welcome her.
The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, Ministers Prisca Mupfumira, Oppah Muchinguri, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, Shuvai Mahofa, Sithembiso Nyoni, Secretary for Youth Pupurai Togarepi and President of Senate Edna Madzongwe accompanied her.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cain Mathema, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Obert Mpofu and senior party officials from the province welcomed her.
Addressing thousands of people who braved the scorching sun to witness the grand visit at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School, the First Lady said for years the people of Binga had been misled by non-governmental organisations and MDC through food handouts.
This, she said, was the reason for the underdevelopment of the district.
"I've seen where the problem is. The people of Binga have expectations that have not been met. We fought the war of independence and now we are fighting for economic freedom which is why we have Zim-Asset," Mugabe said.
"The people of Binga cannot vote while they are hungry. They want sustainable development and empowerment because they are tired of being lied to. However, today I want to promise you that the era of lies is over. As Zanu-PF let's ensure people who we want to vote for us get the best in their communities."
The First Lady chronicled how sons and daughters of the land joined and fought the war of liberation as she reminded Zimbabweans to observe the Heroes' Day in honour of those who sacrificed their lives.
"Let's be patient. You have many sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives and you cannot be fooled by dreamers from MDC and I want to assure you that your lives will be transformed between now and 2018 because you will now be enlightened by the history I have told you," she said.
"But you should be careful; if you remain in MDC you will remain alone because they are finished. We went for by-elections and they boycotted while we reclaimed all the seats. Use your brains people of Binga as I've told you how this country came about".
Mugabe said the NGOs and MDC had made Binga their playground.
"Don't be misled by these NGOs because they want you to remain in poverty so that they bring you food and continue to make you their playground. That should stop. That is why we all have to work towards the success of Zim-Asset."
On the project that has been failing to take off due to funding challenges since 2004 when it was initiated, Mugabe said she would personally make sure none of the equipment is stolen or vandalised like in the past.
"President Mugabe sent us to you as the Women's League after we asked to come and meet chiefs about the project. We are happy that we were allowed and we are humbled by the turn out and welcome we received here," she said.
"Some of the equipment was stolen and now we want to start the project. We want it to be sustainable and my plea to you is that you should keep the equipment. Now we have to check what is still usable and what can't be used but be patient because we want to plan well".
The government has identified the project under Zim-Asset and wants it operationalised this year as it is critical to ending drought in Binga.
The irrigation will cover 15,000 hectares of land, with 250 hectares earmarked for the first phase at a cost of about $1,8 million
The First Lady touched on different subjects such as sexual abuse of minors, prostitution and factionalism within Zanu-PF, a seed she said was planted by deposed Vice President Joice Mujuru and should not be tolerated in the party.
Mathema said the visit was a blessing to the people of Binga.
Zanu-PF Provincial chairman for Matabeleland North Province Richard Moyo said once operationalised, the project would help alleviate hunger in the drought prone district and shame some NGOs that were pushing for regime change.
Representing traditional leaders in Binga District, Chief Siansali said the First Lady's visit had revitalised the hopes of the people of Binga about the project.
There were loud cheers of jubilation when Mugabe joined in the Ntshilimba Tonga dance while holding the famous traditional tobacco pipe, ndombonda/incelwa in Tonga.
After the address, the First Lady toured the Bulawayo Kraal irrigation farm.
The First Lady, who recently announced that she would ensure that the multi-million dollar project is operationalised this year, visited the area to meet the traditional and local leadership and be briefed about the project.
She touched down at 9.42AM at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School grounds aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter amid loud cheers from the crowd that had gathered to welcome her.
The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, Ministers Prisca Mupfumira, Oppah Muchinguri, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, Shuvai Mahofa, Sithembiso Nyoni, Secretary for Youth Pupurai Togarepi and President of Senate Edna Madzongwe accompanied her.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cain Mathema, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Obert Mpofu and senior party officials from the province welcomed her.
Addressing thousands of people who braved the scorching sun to witness the grand visit at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School, the First Lady said for years the people of Binga had been misled by non-governmental organisations and MDC through food handouts.
This, she said, was the reason for the underdevelopment of the district.
"I've seen where the problem is. The people of Binga have expectations that have not been met. We fought the war of independence and now we are fighting for economic freedom which is why we have Zim-Asset," Mugabe said.
"The people of Binga cannot vote while they are hungry. They want sustainable development and empowerment because they are tired of being lied to. However, today I want to promise you that the era of lies is over. As Zanu-PF let's ensure people who we want to vote for us get the best in their communities."
The First Lady chronicled how sons and daughters of the land joined and fought the war of liberation as she reminded Zimbabweans to observe the Heroes' Day in honour of those who sacrificed their lives.
"Let's be patient. You have many sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives and you cannot be fooled by dreamers from MDC and I want to assure you that your lives will be transformed between now and 2018 because you will now be enlightened by the history I have told you," she said.
"But you should be careful; if you remain in MDC you will remain alone because they are finished. We went for by-elections and they boycotted while we reclaimed all the seats. Use your brains people of Binga as I've told you how this country came about".
"Don't be misled by these NGOs because they want you to remain in poverty so that they bring you food and continue to make you their playground. That should stop. That is why we all have to work towards the success of Zim-Asset."
On the project that has been failing to take off due to funding challenges since 2004 when it was initiated, Mugabe said she would personally make sure none of the equipment is stolen or vandalised like in the past.
"President Mugabe sent us to you as the Women's League after we asked to come and meet chiefs about the project. We are happy that we were allowed and we are humbled by the turn out and welcome we received here," she said.
"Some of the equipment was stolen and now we want to start the project. We want it to be sustainable and my plea to you is that you should keep the equipment. Now we have to check what is still usable and what can't be used but be patient because we want to plan well".
The government has identified the project under Zim-Asset and wants it operationalised this year as it is critical to ending drought in Binga.
The irrigation will cover 15,000 hectares of land, with 250 hectares earmarked for the first phase at a cost of about $1,8 million
The First Lady touched on different subjects such as sexual abuse of minors, prostitution and factionalism within Zanu-PF, a seed she said was planted by deposed Vice President Joice Mujuru and should not be tolerated in the party.
Mathema said the visit was a blessing to the people of Binga.
Zanu-PF Provincial chairman for Matabeleland North Province Richard Moyo said once operationalised, the project would help alleviate hunger in the drought prone district and shame some NGOs that were pushing for regime change.
Representing traditional leaders in Binga District, Chief Siansali said the First Lady's visit had revitalised the hopes of the people of Binga about the project.
There were loud cheers of jubilation when Mugabe joined in the Ntshilimba Tonga dance while holding the famous traditional tobacco pipe, ndombonda/incelwa in Tonga.
After the address, the First Lady toured the Bulawayo Kraal irrigation farm.
Source - chronicle
