Zimbabwe at 42 – No one and no place left behind

Pictured at Zimbabwe's Independence Day celebrations are (l-r) Dr Jessica Hamadziripi, Ambassador David Hamadziripi and Dr Zane Dangor

26 April 2022

“We call on those countries that continue to maintain sanctions against our country to heed the calls to reason and remove these sanctions which impact the people of Zimbabwe to have full enjoyment of their rights as was aptly observed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights,” said Ambassador David Hamadziripi of Zimbabwe to South Africa. He was addressing guests at the celebration of Zimbabwe’s 42 years of independence from Britain on 19 April 1980.

Ancestral relations underpin the ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa. These neighbouring countries are joined at the hip, akin to Siamese twins is how South African President Cyril Ramaphosa describes the cooperation between the two countries. Common language, custom and tradition have created bonds of marriage and family and a shared knowledge of Africa.

“It is a relationship that has produced strong bi lateral exchanges between us. “ South Africa is Zimbabwe’s main trading partner, 47% of Zimbabwe’s imports are sourced from South Africa while South Africa receives 45% of Zimbabwe’s exports stated the Ambassador. The Bi – National Commission is set to take place next month and will be chaired by the respective Foreign Ministers.

Dr Zane Dangor, Director General at DIRCO South Africa who was guest of honour at the event presented his reassuring remarks of South Africa - Zimbabwe relations. It is an opportunity to re-align the relations that build trust and confidence, and to take those steps that lead to resolution and create and support stable, new and innovative African spaces.

Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 7.4% in 2021 and is expected to grow at 5.5% in 2022. This nation that has its fair share of Africa’s abundant natural beauty and its rich mineral wealth is committed to the development reforms and Vision 2030 that resolves to leave no one and no place behind. It is also a call for the Zimbabwean diaspora to be active participants in the country’s development and renewal.

It is the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that Zimbabweans gathered in numbers to mark the occasion. "Let us not grow tired but keep marching forward with joy, great optimism, determination, zeal and focus on unity, peace and freedom. Good times lie ahead and the fruits of our labor will be there for all to enjoy," said President Mnangagwa addressing the nation from Bulawayo the country’s second largest city.

-TDS

Remarks by David Hamadziripi, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to South Africa, at the reception to celebrate the 42nd Anniversary of the Independence of Zimbabwe, Pretoria, 20 April 2022

I am honoured and privileged, personally and on behalf of all the staff at the Embassy and at the Consulate in Johannesburg and our spouses, to welcome you to this reception to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the independence of Zimbabwe which, as many if not all of you are aware, fell on Monday 18 April. We thank you for honouring us with your presence in commemorating this significant day in the history of our people and nation.

While we are gathered here for a celebration, I would like to take a moment to remember and to ask you to remember in your thoughts and prayers the victims of the devastating floods that have inundated and continue to affect the KwaZulu-Natal province. We extend deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wish speedy recovery to the injured. We equally extend our sympathies to the entire nation of South Africa over this natural disaster that has befallen parts of your country.

The occasion of our national day is a day of commemoration and recollection of the revolutionary spirit and selfless sacrifices of many of our countrymen and women who took up the cudgels in fighting for our freedom and independence.

It is a day to celebrate our victory for freedom, peace and equality over the colonial forces of oppression, violence and discrimination.
It is a day of rededication to strengthening our unity, enhancing national cohesion, entrenching peace and developing our country.

We, the Zimbabweans, did not achieve this victory on our own. We owe part of our victory in that struggle for independence to the immense contributions of many countries and organisations who stand represented by some of you today. We owe all of them our eternal gratitude for their support. We invite and encourage you to continue partnering us in the current struggle for the economic and social upliftment of our people. We call on those countries that continue to maintain sanctions against our country to heed the calls to reason and remove these sanctions which impact on the ability of the people of Zimbabwe to have the full enjoyment of their rights as was aptly observed last October by the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.

If it were to happen that a total stranger to our universe were to visit South Africa these days, such a visitor would get an absolutely wrong impression about the relations that exist between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of South Africa. Contrary to what dominates the media currently, the reality is that the relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa are, at various levels, intense and extensive; they are defined by geography and history; they are relations of marriage and family; they are relations of blood and soul. H.E. President Ramaphosa has described the relationship as one akin to that of Siamese twins, conjoined at the hip.

It is a relationship that has produced strong bilateral exchanges between us. It is therefore not surprising that South Africa is Zimbabwe’s major trading partner. Taking 2020 as an example, 47.1% of Zimbabwe’s imports were sourced from South Africa while South Africa received 45.2% of Zimbabwe’s exports.

We are constantly working together at improving these solid relations. In that regard, we are looking forward to next month’s mid-term review of our two countries’ Bi-National Commission which will be chaired by our respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs. We are confident that the meeting’s conclusions will further strengthen our two countries bilateral cooperation in the agreed areas.

We are celebrating our national day under the theme: Zimbabwe at 42: Leaving No One and No Place Behind. This is particularly important in the context of the reforms and development programmes and projects that the government is undertaking with a view to the attainment of the nation’s Vision 2030.

In 2021, the economy grew by 7.4% and is projected to grow by 5.5% in 2022. The government of Zimbabwe is determined to continue on the reform path and to create greater economic opportunities for all its citizens.

The commitment to leaving no one and no place behind is not confined to those in Zimbabwe alone. It equally extends to Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. In his independence day speech on 18 April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed Zimbabweans in the Diaspora as follows:
“I once again commend all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora for their patriotism and the role they are playing in national building. Like all other citizens, those in the Diaspora are indeed welcome to participate and invest in all sectors of the economy as we build the Zimbabwe we all want. In the meantime, I urge our citizens in the Diaspora to remain resolute, in spite of the many challenging circumstances they may face in their host countries.

As your President, rest assured that our arms as your fellow countrymen and women remain outstretched to welcome you back to our free, independent land of opportunities and sovereign home, Zimbabwe”.

Working together in unity, peace and common vision, we will multiply opportunities for everyone to participate in and contribute to building our beloved country, Zimbabwe.

I wish once again to thank each and every one of you for coming to celebrate with us today. I also take this opportunity to thank all the nations that availed vaccines and consumables to our country to complement our efforts in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The need for continued cooperation and solidarity remains strong as the pandemic still remains a threat to the full return to normality.

On that note, I invite each and everyone here present to join me in a toast to:
- The good health and long life of His Excellency President Ramaphosa
- Enduring friendship between Zimbabwe and South Africa,

- Peace and prosperity for the people of South Africa

Ngiyalibonga lonke.
Ndinokutendai mose.
I thank you all.