By A Correspondent
As Zimbabwe marks 45 years of independence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has vowed to focus on empowering war veterans who played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle.
In a significant development, special presidential advisor Dr. Paul Tungwarara declared that the era of hardship for war veterans was over, emphasizing a new era of economic empowerment.
Speaking at the launch of the Mashonaland West Presidential War Veterans Fund, the Presidential War Veterans Borehole Drilling Program, and the Presidential War Veterans Rural Housing Scheme in Zvimba North, Mahiya on Tuesday, Dr. Tungwarara boldly stated, “Now is the time for economic emancipation.
War veterans, I am with you. The time of being a laughing stock is over.”
In line with this vision, Douglas Mahiya, the ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans League, shared additional initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of former freedom fighters. One of the key developments includes the creation of the War Veteran Family Wealth Trust.
This trust is designed as a vehicle to empower the families of war veterans, providing them with financial stability and opportunities for growth.
Mahiya highlighted that the government, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is dedicated to doing everything it can to economically empower war veterans. “President E.D. Mnangagwa is going all he can to economically empower the War Veterans,” Mahiya affirmed during the launch event.
However, there is a growing chorus of skepticism among critics who argue that these efforts are nothing more than political games designed to garner support from a key demographic ahead of the upcoming elections
. Some say that Mnangagwa’s promises to war veterans have been made before, but the actual implementation of such programs has often been slow or insufficient.
Given the ongoing economic struggles faced by many war veterans, critics believe the government’s promises are more about political posturing than genuine commitment to their welfare.
Despite these concerns, the launch of these programs is seen by some as a significant step toward addressing long-standing grievances. Whether they will translate into meaningful change for war veterans remains to be seen.
The government’s push for empowerment comes amid increasing demands for the recognition and better treatment of Zimbabwe’s former freedom fighters who have long faced economic hardships.
While some are hopeful, others remain unconvinced, questioning whether the promises will lead to tangible outcomes or if they are simply part of a pre-election strategy.