Zimbabwe Vice-President Mujuru Discusses Impact of Western Sanctions

Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al Bashir, right and Zimbabwean Deputy President Joyce Mujuru, left , upon his arrival in the resort town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Saturday, June 6, 2009. (AP)
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Mujuru hits out at sanctions

Herald Reporter

ACTING President Joice Mujuru yesterday lamented sustained illegal sanctions by Britain, the USA and their Western allies, which continue to affect ordinary Zimbabweans.

Speaking after receiving donations of goods worth over US$10 000 from the Iranian Embassy at her Munhumutapa Building office, the Acting President hailed relations between Zimbabwe and Iran.

"Relations between our two countries date back to the days of our liberation struggle and I am happy to note that this is not the first time that Iran has donated goods to our people.

"However, there are other countries that have imposed illegal sanctions that are affecting the ordinary people of Zimbabwe," she said.

The Acting President said Iran has assisted Zimbabwe in various fields such as health and education, among others.

Among the goods that will be distributed to vulnerable groups in Bindura are medicines, food hampers and sports uniforms.

The goods will be handed over through the Bindura Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

In an interview after the handover, Iranian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Rasoul Momeni said the 90th donation from his country to the people of Zimbabwe was a symbolic gesture of solidarity between the two countries.

"We are also going to start a programme for an Islamic Charity Centre in Bindura while the Iranian embassy will also introduce an outreach clinic for the town," he said.

Mashonaland Central Governor and Resident Minister Martin Dinha commended efforts by Iran to assist the people of Zimbabwe.

"The donation shows that the Iranians are our true friends who share with us a common ideology against imperialism and American hegemony.

"This gesture shows that our relations are deeper. We are going to hand over these goods to the Bindura Municipality as a sign of inclusivity and for the benefit of the people.

"I would also like to urge the local authority to give the goods across the political divide and help the elderly, orphans, the disabled and vulnerable members of the community," he said.

Governor Dinha paid tribute to the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe through its leader, Sheikh Ishmael Duwa, for sourcing the goods.


Mujuru launches Indo-Zim Project II

Herald Reporter

Acting President Joice Mujuru yesterday urged entrepreneurs to make use of the state-of-the-art machinery donated by India under the Indo-Zimbabwe Training Project to enhance productivity.

She was speaking at the official launch of the second phase of the Indo-Zimbabwe Training Project in Harare yesterday.

The training centre, located at the Harare Institute of Technology provides entrepreneurs an opportunity to receive training in technology-related programmes.

"We therefore call upon all our industrialists that the technology is now available in Zimbabwe, here at the Indo-Zimbabwe Technology Centre," she said.

"Let’s have our personnel trained in this skill. You should maximise the usage of these machines to grow the economy and create wealth for yourselves and for the country," said the Acting President.

She said the training centre would enable small and medium entrepreneurs to enhance skills and knowledge at affordable fees.

"This centre provides facilities in high technology precision machining areas, which are not affordable to individual SME’s due to high cost.

"Small and medium enterprises will have access to this technology at this centre for a small fee," she said.

The machinery has the capacity to make essential tools used in small to medium enterprises.

Acting President Mujuru said the coming in of latest technology would help the SME sector to improve quality of locally produced products.

It would also create employment opportunities for many college graduates.

The Acting President said this new technology has come at the right time since the SME sector was facing growth and competition challenges from the global market.

"As the world becomes a fiercely competitive global market place, the dynamics of small scale industry have become more challenging.

"Technological innovation has diversified in the global market and demands that SMEs provide quality products and service," she said.

Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the Indo-Zimbabwe project was poised to propel the growth of SMEs through promotion of new technologies provided by the Indian government.

She said the future of the country’s economy was on SMEs and urged all to support the sector.

"The growth of our economy hinges on the vibrancy of the SME sector. The world over, the SME sector is recognised for its dynamism resulting in the significant generation of employment and wealth creation," said Minister Nyoni.

She said through the partnership with India, the SME sector would emerge stronger as it would gain skills to improve local industries.

The Indo-Zimbabwe Training Project seeks to promote technology transfer through introduction of computer numerically controlled machines and equipment.

Under the project, India has sent a team of experts to provide practical training and ensure smooth transfer of technology to the Zimbabwean industrialists.