ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY,
DR. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa AT THE 8th ZIMBABWE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION SERVICE BULAWAYO

29 DECEMBER 2024

Our Director of Ceremonies;
Chairman of the Zimbabwe Indigenous
Interdenominational Council of Churches,
Rev. A. Wutawunashe;
First Lady, Amai A. Mnangagwa;
Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga;
Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd) K. C. D. Mohadi;
Minister of Defence, Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri;
Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province,
Hon. J. Ncube;
Other Honourable Ministers here present;
Patron of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-Denominational
Council of Churches, His Grace Bishop Dr. N. Mutendi;
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M.
Rushwaya;
President of the National Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane
Khumalo neMadzimambo edu;
Senior Government Officials;
His Worship, the Mayor of Bulawayo, Councillor D.
Coltart;
Bishops and Church Leaders here present;
Congregants.

It is a great privilege to fellowship with you, at this 8th
National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service. Us in
Government always look forward to such gatherings,
organised so that we can come together as a people to express our gratitude to the Almighty God for the many positive milestones which surround our nation. We do so humbly and boldly, giving thanks for the year behind us and dedicate the year ahead. The Bible reminds us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge
Almighty God, in all our ways, and He shall direct our
paths.

The word of God in Psalm Chapter 107 verse 1, further exhorts us to, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’ We are aware that every good, perfect and pleasant gift comes from Almighty God, with whom there is no variation or shadow of change.

Mwari havashanduki, zuro, nhasi, namangwana.
Guided by First Thessalonians, Chapter 5 Verse 18, I
encourage the Church, to rejoice and to carry on praying and interceding for our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, in all circumstances. This is the will of the Almighty God.

Nyika inonamatirwa, inotongwa, inovakwa nevene
vayo/ ilizwe li-khu-le-ke-lwa, libuswe, lakhiwa
ngabanikazi balo.’
We have confidence that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and that He shall grant our requests.

(First John Chapter 5, verses 14 and 15.)
As such, we ‘Enter His gates with thanksgiving, His
courts with praise and we bless His name. The Lord is
good, His mercy endures forever, His faithfulness lasts from generation to generation.’ (Psalm 100 Verses 4 and
5)

The theme of this years’ Service “Our Nation – Our
Opportunity: Celebrating the Progress, acknowledging the Potential of our Country Zimbabwe,” is both inspiring and energising.
Looking back at the successes we have scored under the Second Republic, we are seeing the goodness of the Lord in our land of Zimbabwe. We are not in despair and Almighty God has never abandoned us. Our nation is being renewed day by day towards Vision 2030.

Communities are being transformed to be empowered and more prosperous.
We are leaving no one and no place behind. For these, and many other gifts, we thank Almighty God.
Allow me to commend the remarkable contributions of Churches across all denominations in nation building.

I particularly recognise the Leadership of our Churches, in their various offices, for being Godly spiritual shepherdsover the people of our country. The Lord says in Jeremiah 3 verse 15 ‘I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge andunderstanding.’

Thank you all for remaining true to the offices you hold,within the Churches, in our country. Your individual and collective, wholehearted service is appreciated by my Government. More-so that you have preached the uncorrupted word of God, which remains the beacon of hope, source of wisdom, and guidance for the people of our nation.

I, further applaud congregants as a whole, for spreading the gospel and nurturing the spiritual growth of many people from different backgrounds, inspiring them to live according to God’s teachings of love, unity, compassion and service.

This Thanks-giving Service is, therefore, also a tribute to the profound impact and unity of purpose which has been demonstrated in our communities, by the Church as a whole.

Fellow Congregants;
As we look to the future, our nation is emboldened by thegoodness of Almighty God that saw us liberate ourselves from colonial bondage and ultimately repossess the land stolen from our forefathers by those who occupied our beautiful country. Today, we stand proud and tall as a truly free and Independent people, enjoying freedom of worship and advancing Godly values as well as a people-centred national development agenda.

In the year ahead, unflinching focus on our national Vision,goals and aspirations, coupled with hard honest work;production and productivity; should see us live up to the instruction given to us in Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28.

It is, our responsibility and duty to be fruitful and to subdue the earth. We remain anchored on our national philosophy,
‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene
vayo/ ilizwe, lakhiwa, libuswe likhu-le-kelwe,
ngabanikazi balo.

Through the theme of this year’s National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service, the Church in Zimbabwe is rallying us all, to progressive, Godly and Biblical
patriotism.

Indeed, the land, Zimbabwe which the Lord has
given us, is an exceedingly good land. We are thankful to Almighty God.

Further, development initiatives and programmes, for the upliftment and prosperity of our people, have become the solid foundation upon which we are building our country brick by brick and stone upon stone.

Us the people of Zimbabwe are our own liberators and using our indigenous resources, skills and talents. Others are welcome to assist us.

In the agriculture sector, as a Government and a people, we are not folding our arms and surrendering to the vagaries of climate change. Numerous dams are being built and boreholes sunk to mitigate the impact of climate change.

In relation to the current uneven rainfall patterns,
“Let us ask for rain from the Lord, for it is Almighty God who makes storm clouds and gives showers of rain to
everyone”
. (Zachariah Chapter 10 verse 1)

We raise up our arms in thanksgiving for the rapid
modernisation and expansion of our infrastructure as well as increased inflows of economic investments and diaspora remittances, which are having transformational impacts on economic growth.

The areas of remarkable progress are vast and cut across all sectors such as mining, manufacturing, tourism, ICTs,education and other social services.
Zimbabwe is rising as a force of indigenous heritage-based development. We pay tribute to the revolutionary values, ideals and national pride bequeathed to us by our forebears.

Fellow Citizens and Brethren;
The future of Zimbabwe is growing brighter and brighter.

We declare Deuteronomy Chapter 8 verses 8 to 10, which says, in part;
“For the Lord our God brought us into a good land,
a land of valleys and hills. A land of wheat, and
barley, and vines, a land wherein we shall eat bread
without scarceness. A land whose stones are iron,
and out of whose hills we dig precious stones.
Hence, we bless the Lord our God for the good land
which He has given unto us.” Hallelujah.

In pursuit of our National Vision 2030, I call upon us to embrace true patriotism and genuine love for our country and our people. Borrowing from the exhortations in Psalm
137 Chapter urge us, individually verses 5and 6

I also and collectively to patriotically proclaim that,
If I forget I“ , let my right hand forget Zimbabwe . skill her If I do not remember nor prefer Zimbabwe above my own joy, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth.

The youth of our country are particularly challenged to resist the machinations by detractors to have them hate or look down upon their own motherland, Zimbabwe. Never be blind to the vast potential of our land. Open your eyes and hearts to truly love and be committed to the land of your birth. You, the youth, are the future of this great country.

Meanwhile, we thank Jehovah God that our SADC region is united in purpose, to bring peace, development and prosperity to all our peoples.

In this spirit, I recognise and warmly welcome those who are in this service from across the SADC region. Please feel at home, away from home.

Fellow Congregants; As the Church in Zimbabwe, let us remain inspired by the wise counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ in John Chapter 15
Verses 12 and 13 which says, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’.

Love is indeed the common denominator in the way we relate with Almighty God and with one another. Love should remain ingrained within the Church and among the people of our nation. Love, peace, unity and harmony are the greatest gifts that we must bequeath to future generations. According to First Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 8 to 10, ‘Inspired speech and prophecies will one
day end.

Praying in tongues will end. Understanding
will reach its limit, but love never fails.’

Additionally, it is critically, important that our trust and
confidence remains anchored in the mighty power and faithfulness of Jehovah God. He shall surely fulfil His promises and plans over our families, communities, provinces and the nation as a whole.
Finally, as we dedicate our nation and consecrate ourselves to the work that lies ahead, let us embrace and advance initiatives and innovations that propel our development, modernisation and industrialisation agenda.

Individually and collectively, we must hold firm each
other’s hands, as we develop our country. Deuteronomy Chapter 28 verses 1 to 6 assures us of the abundant blessings that come about as a result of obedience and walking in the fear of the Lord.
If Zimbabwe fully obeys the Lord our God; and
carefully follows His commands that He has given us, the Lord our God will set us far above other nations.

We will be blessed in our cities and blessed in the
countryside. Our children will be blessed; and the crops of our land; and our livestock; Our herds and our flocks will also be blessed.

Zimbabwe will be blessed when we go in, and blessed
when we go out. If we obey the word of the Lord, Almighty
God will grant that the enemies who rise up against us, will be defeated before us. They will come to us in one direction, and flee from us in several.

The Lord will send a blessing on everything our nation
sets out to do.
The Lord, Almighty God will bless Zimbabwe in this
land He has given us and we shall be established.

As we enter 2025, the Lord will grant Zimbabwe abundant prosperity, if we continue to follow His commandments. Standing on these promises, we therefore, dedicate ourselves and our nation to Jehovah God.

We commit to forge ahead in unity and in one accord; as one people and one great nation. May God bless our efforts for more historic milestones towards the realisation of Vision 2030 and beyond.

With these remarks, it gives me great pleasure to wish you all a happy, blessed and prosperous 2025.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you all, now and forever more.

Alleluia.
God bless you.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.