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Mnangagwa's govt allocates urban stands to war veterans
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The Government has commenced the allocation of urban stands to war veterans as part of its broader strategy to promote social justice and address historical imbalances. This initiative, spanning the country's ten provinces, aims to provide veterans with opportunities for homeownership and entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, the stands may serve as collateral for bank loans, offering financial empowerment to the beneficiaries.
On Friday, 63 veterans from the Midlands Province received their title deeds at a ceremony held in Gweru, presided over by the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga.
Speaking at the event, Minister Mavhunga emphasized that this land allocation marked a crucial step toward improving the livelihoods of war veterans.
"It is with great honour and pride that I stand before you today to preside over this significant handover ceremony of 63 residential stands to our esteemed Veterans of the Liberation Struggle here in the Midlands Province," she said.
Minister Mavhunga highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Second Republic's commitment to the welfare and empowerment of war veterans. She referenced the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act of 2013 and the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act (Chapter 17:12), which mandate the provision of resettlement benefits to veterans in recognition of their sacrifices.
"Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership in ensuring that veterans receive the recognition and support they so rightly deserve. Through his guidance, the Second Republic established the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, dedicated to addressing the concerns and welfare of those who sacrificed for the freedom and independence of our great nation," she said.
Minister Mavhunga reiterated the ministry's dedication to uplifting and empowering veterans, stressing that housing and land ownership are critical for economic stability.
"It is in this spirit that we have gathered here today to witness the allocation of stands to you, veterans of the liberation struggle, many of whom have remained without proper housing for years. This initiative directly targets marginalised comrades who do not have homes, ensuring that no veteran is left behind," she stated.
The initiative forms part of a broader veterans' empowerment agenda aligned with Vision 2030, Zimbabwe's strategy to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030. Minister Mavhunga asserted that economic development must include the upliftment of those who played a pivotal role in securing national independence.
"As we strive to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, the government recognises that national development cannot be achieved without uplifting those who laid the foundation for our independence. Therefore, empowering veterans contributes to socio-economic progress, as they are key stakeholders in nation-building," she said.
She further noted that collaboration with other ministries would ensure that veterans benefit from their 20 percent quota in all sectors of the economy, including mining, agriculture, and tourism.
"This includes linking veterans with investors to capitalise and operationalise projects. Other areas of support include enabling veterans' access to mining facilities, farming inputs in an orderly manner within their districts with the assistance of their district field officers, as well as access to spaces for vending," she said.
Minister Mavhunga also acknowledged the Ministry of Local Government for allocating vending stalls at the newly constructed Mbare Musika Market, noting that an initial 100 veterans would benefit, with more to be accommodated as the initiative progresses.
"The Veterans Investment Corporation (VIC), the Ministry's investment company, reports to me as the responsible Minister assigned to oversee the administration of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (VLS) Fund. The primary objective of VIC is to generate income for the VLS Fund, which will be disbursed for the empowerment of veterans to improve their livelihoods," she said.
She reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implementing economic empowerment, education, and healthcare programs for veterans in line with President Mnangagwa's directive that no one and no place should be left behind.
"We are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for implementing the 20 percent quota directive from Cabinet in the allocation of land and housing to veterans. In this context, we are here to witness the handover of 106 stands that have been allocated to veterans in various provinces. However, we have chosen to hold this handover ceremony here in Gweru because the bulk of the stands, 63, are in the Midlands Province," she concluded.
The initiative is expected to improve the living standards of war veterans, providing them with opportunities for financial growth and stability while reinforcing the government's commitment to honouring their contributions to Zimbabwe's independence.
On Friday, 63 veterans from the Midlands Province received their title deeds at a ceremony held in Gweru, presided over by the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga.
Speaking at the event, Minister Mavhunga emphasized that this land allocation marked a crucial step toward improving the livelihoods of war veterans.
"It is with great honour and pride that I stand before you today to preside over this significant handover ceremony of 63 residential stands to our esteemed Veterans of the Liberation Struggle here in the Midlands Province," she said.
Minister Mavhunga highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Second Republic's commitment to the welfare and empowerment of war veterans. She referenced the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act of 2013 and the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act (Chapter 17:12), which mandate the provision of resettlement benefits to veterans in recognition of their sacrifices.
"Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership in ensuring that veterans receive the recognition and support they so rightly deserve. Through his guidance, the Second Republic established the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, dedicated to addressing the concerns and welfare of those who sacrificed for the freedom and independence of our great nation," she said.
Minister Mavhunga reiterated the ministry's dedication to uplifting and empowering veterans, stressing that housing and land ownership are critical for economic stability.
"It is in this spirit that we have gathered here today to witness the allocation of stands to you, veterans of the liberation struggle, many of whom have remained without proper housing for years. This initiative directly targets marginalised comrades who do not have homes, ensuring that no veteran is left behind," she stated.
"As we strive to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, the government recognises that national development cannot be achieved without uplifting those who laid the foundation for our independence. Therefore, empowering veterans contributes to socio-economic progress, as they are key stakeholders in nation-building," she said.
She further noted that collaboration with other ministries would ensure that veterans benefit from their 20 percent quota in all sectors of the economy, including mining, agriculture, and tourism.
"This includes linking veterans with investors to capitalise and operationalise projects. Other areas of support include enabling veterans' access to mining facilities, farming inputs in an orderly manner within their districts with the assistance of their district field officers, as well as access to spaces for vending," she said.
Minister Mavhunga also acknowledged the Ministry of Local Government for allocating vending stalls at the newly constructed Mbare Musika Market, noting that an initial 100 veterans would benefit, with more to be accommodated as the initiative progresses.
"The Veterans Investment Corporation (VIC), the Ministry's investment company, reports to me as the responsible Minister assigned to oversee the administration of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (VLS) Fund. The primary objective of VIC is to generate income for the VLS Fund, which will be disbursed for the empowerment of veterans to improve their livelihoods," she said.
She reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implementing economic empowerment, education, and healthcare programs for veterans in line with President Mnangagwa's directive that no one and no place should be left behind.
"We are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for implementing the 20 percent quota directive from Cabinet in the allocation of land and housing to veterans. In this context, we are here to witness the handover of 106 stands that have been allocated to veterans in various provinces. However, we have chosen to hold this handover ceremony here in Gweru because the bulk of the stands, 63, are in the Midlands Province," she concluded.
The initiative is expected to improve the living standards of war veterans, providing them with opportunities for financial growth and stability while reinforcing the government's commitment to honouring their contributions to Zimbabwe's independence.
Source - The Chronicle
