ZIMBABWEANS should not be misled into hating their own country by a non-existent world created on social media platforms, but instead must take a leaf from the likes of the late national hero, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, who fought gallantly for the country’s freedom as a young man, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.
Speaking at a memorial service held for the late former
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at his rural homestead in
Mberengwa, President Mnangagwa said it was every Zimbabwean’s duty to protect
the country from its detractors.
Dr Moyo died on January 20 from Covid-19 related
complications.
“I exhort our young people to take a leaf from the
sacrifices made by the likes of the late Cde SB Moyo and others like him to
liberate the country,” said the President.
“I call upon the youth to love and hold in high regard
their country, communities and families.
“Never be led astray by a virtual and often non-existent
world created on social media.
“Hold on tightly to our rich cultural heritage and
Zimbabwean value system.
“Never allow detractors to drive you to hate or denigrate
your motherland.
“This country called Zimbabwe was given to us at a cost of
blood, let us all protect it from neo-colonial plunderers and supremacists.”
The country has in recent times fallen under a barrage of
brazen interference from the West which has been clandestinely using its local
lackeys in the form of civic society organisations.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans in
both good and bad times and only its people can uplift it.
Those who want the country to be run similar to other
countries, they should go there.
“We will govern our country according to our traditions,
values and customs.
“Those who want to help can only do so on our terms,” he
said.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should embody
qualities of patriotism, loyalty and dedication as was the case with the late
Cde SB Moyo, who was reliable in good and bad times, first as a soldier and
later as the face of the country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts.
“The late Cde SB Moyo was a man with a big heart and a true
friend to many, who was always prepared to go an extra mile.
“He was indeed a trusted and loyal soldier, whether during
operations or undertaking administrative and political duties.
“He put 100 percent into everything he did. He had an
enviable sense of dedication to his country, work and colleagues.
“When times got tough, the late General SB Moyo would be
one of those still standing at the end.
“He was never a coward and never backed out of difficult
tasks, even if the risks had far reaching consequences.
“In November 2017, he was a key player in the peaceful
transition from the First Republic to the Second Republic, and indeed become
the face of what was dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy”, said the President.
The memorial service was attended by Vice President Dr
Constantino Chiwenga, Zanu PF Second Secretary and Vice President Cde Kembo
Mohadi, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri,
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Acting
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira,
Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Minister of State
Security Owen Ncube, Minister of Environment and Tourism Mangaliso Ndlovu,
Service Chiefs and senior Government officials.
President Mnangagwa said the presence of senior Government
officials at the memorial service demonstrated the extent to which the Second
Republic valued the late national hero.
“We have come here, Sekuru Moyo (Cde SB Moyo’s father). The
entire Government is here; the Command structure is here, this is a
demonstration that your son was a rare breed, patriotic and loyal servant of
the nation.
“In order for our nation to develop, let us work hard, both
in our individual and collective capacities. We gave SB the post of Foreign
Affairs Minister when our name was not in good standing globally. I assigned
him to go to the UN (United Nations) and engage the world. He was able to
engage with people like (British Prime Minister) Boris Johnson whose friend had
lost a farm at the height of the land reform programme, and today we are on
talking terms. The groundwork was laid by SB. He went to the EU (European
Union) nations and now they have removed most of the sanctions,” President
Mnangagwa said.
Speaking later during the National Tree Planting Day
commemorations held at Masvingo Primary School, President Mnangagwa told
thousands of people who gathered for the event that the country can only be
built by its people.
The National Tree Planting Day is observed on the first
Saturday of every December annually and yesterday the President said there is a
need to plant more trees and protect the environment. Sunday Mail
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