Government lines up war vets projects Cde Victor Matemadanda

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Government has lined up a number of empowerment projects to benefit war veterans and war collaborators across the country.

Addressing war veterans from Matabeleland South Province at the Gwanda District Club yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Cde Victor Matemadanda, urged war veterans to fully utilise the programme.

He said various partners were set to fund the programme.

“Economic hardships have been affecting all people in the country but it’s been worse with war veterans as they have not been benefiting from socio economic activities. They have been marginalised all this while and that is why we want them to engage in various economic projects that will empower them and also ensure that they contribute towards developing the nation,” Cde Matemadanda said.

“This is a nationwide initiative and war veterans can be a part of any project in any part of the country despite geographic location. These projects can vary from mining, agricultural production, livestock production among others. We have several partners that we will engage once war veterans have identified their respective projects.”

He said provincial structures were required to compile a data base with names of war veterans and their preferred projects and the list will then be submitted to his Ministry for implementation.

Cde Matemadanda said war veterans had been allocated one farm in each province which will be used for agricultural production.

He said some of the land belonging to war veterans which was lying idle was also going to be used for the programme.

“Some war veterans are reluctant to engage in this programme because there have been projects that have flopped in the past. This time around this initiative will be a success as we are taking a different approach. These projects will be spearheaded by professionals and not by leaders of the War Veterans Association as this was crippling past initiatives. Things will be done in a professional manner that will yield positive results,” said Cde Matemadanda.

“This time around we have support of the President unlike in the past. President Mnangagwa wants to see war veterans and the entire nation being empowered economically and socially. From here comrades let’s form clusters according to our desired project and let’s not sideline anyone. If you want to engage in mining identify a claim that is lying idle and let us know, we don’t want anything to be done illegally.

“We want these projects to kick start as soon as possible, if its soya bean production it must start at the beginning of the rainy season.”

Added Cde Matemadanda: “Some war veterans are saying they would rather have a raise instead of being a part of these projects. We will not accept that and if it means that we have to force you to be a part of a project so be it because money will only benefit you for a short while but a project can be a lifetime investment.”

He urged the nation not to panic over the artificial shortage of goods and unjustified price hikes being experienced in the country as plans were underway to revive the economy.

Matabeleland South War Veterans Association chairman Cde Section Ncube hailed Government for the programme saying it was going to improve the livelihoods of many war veterans that have been struggling for a long time.

He said his province has more than 7 000 war veterans. — @DubeMatutu.

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