Mrs. Joyce Mujuru, Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. She represented Zimbabwe at a United Nations Summit, the G-192, in New York earlier this year.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Herald Reporter
Vice President Joice Mujuru has pledged 500kg of maize seed, 30 tonnes of fertilizer, 5 pigs (1 boar and 4 sows) and 70 wheelchairs to the Jairos Jiri Association to enhance the participation of disabled members of society in Zimbabwe’s socio-economic activities.
In a speech read on her behalf at the Jairos Jiri Charity Day held at the Borrowdale Race Course recently, VP Mujuru challenged all stakeholders to adopt a more co-ordinated approach towards integrating the physically challenged into society.
"I appeal to all Zimbabweans, individual or corporate, from all walks of life, NGOs, diplomatic missions and churches to support the efforts to empower Jairos Jiri Association and allow its members to realise their worth and potential in the development of the economy.
"The success of this initiative depends on our collective effort as Zimbabweans," VP Mujuru said.
She reminded the nation that the African Union declared 1999-2009 the Decade of Persons with Disabilities and called on member-states to craft policies and national programmes that encouraged the full participation of persons with disabilities in social and economic development issues to improve their livelihoods.
"We need to focus on making the association self-sustaining and through our combined support and assistance we can restore dignity and meaningfulness of life to this special section of our society," she said. The Jairos Jiri Association has over the years sought to provide the physically challenged with improved access to rehabilitation, education and skills training.
It serves 16 500 people with disabilities annually through outreach and follow up integration programmes.
The association runs 16 centres where 1 500 children and adults receive treatment, care and education.
‘Use land fully to defeat sanctions’
Herald Reporter
Persisting economic hardships facing the country are a result of illegal sanctions imposed by the British and American governments and their allies, Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff Administration and Logistics, Major General Trust Mugova has said.
Addressing soldiers and mourners at a funeral parade in honour of the late Lieutenant Colonel Moses Mataruse at One Commando Barracks yesterday, Major General Mugova said Zimbabweans should be fully involved in the utilisation of the land to defeat the sanctions.
"The economic sanctions imposed on the country continue to create a lot of challenges. These sanctions, imposed by the British, Americans and their allies have become the principal reason for the hardships we are facing," he said.
"The ZNA has not been spared by those sanctions and our day-to-day operations are being adversely affected but let me tell you one thing, with our land we are going to prosper."
However, Maj Gen Mugova told the mourners that as soldiers, they should not moan over a passing phase in the country’s history.
"Our resolute commitment is to safeguard our sovereignty, as Lt Col Mataruse has always done and we should continue to serve as a beacon of hope for our people who, together with us, share the pains that have been inflicted by sanctions," he added.
Lt Col Mataruse, whose Chimurenga name was Darlington Munyaradzi, died in Harare on Saturday and has been declared a provincial hero.
He will be buried tomorrow at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre.
Born in Kadoma in 1958, Lt Col Mataruse joined the liberation struggle in 1975 in Mozambique.
He attended various military and civilian courses during his military career, rising through the ranks to become a lieutenant–colonel.
He is survived by his wife Batsirai and four children.
Zimbabweans commended
Herald Reporter
Minister of State for National Healing and Zanu-PF National Chairman John Nkomo has thanked Zimbabweans for demonstrating unity during the burial of national hero and founding nationalist Vice President Joseph Msika.
Cde Msika died in Harare last week and was buried at the National Heroes Acre on Heroes Day at a moving ceremony attended by people from across the political divide.
Minister Nkomo yesterday said: "I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the nation for the total demonstration of their unity as they lay to rest Vice President Msika.
"I want to thank the nation also for according our late heroes and those other comrades, unsung soldiers of the struggle (for liberation), the honour and respect demonstrated by the attendance to this year’s national Heroes Day commemorations. All of us should emulate this example."
Thousands of people came from all over the country for the combined burial of Cde Msika and the Heroes Day commemorations.
Minister Nkomo’s sentiments came as condolence messages for the late founding nationalist continued to pour in.
In a statement yesterday, the World Federation of Democratic Youth consoled the Msika family, the nation and the African continent following the VP’s death.
WFDY said the nation had been robbed of a father figure who was resolute, trustworthy, steadfast and courageous.
The organisation also described Cde Msika as a brave man who remained consistent in servicing the nation.
"During this mourning time, there are some who come as good Samaritans and turn to be witches at night, sell-outs, counter revolutionaries, we hereby encourage all progressive Zimbabweans to be wary of such people," read the statement.
WFDY said Zimbabweans should be always ready to defend their land, which is being possessed by its rightful owners.
"Zimbabweans should jealously defend land, in so doing the revolution will be carried forward as black empowerment through the land issue has been the belief of the late Vice President right from his childhood when he joined politics."
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