Staff Reporter
Zimbabweans from different walks of life gathered at Gohori Resort for a three-day event to mark the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day. The main highlight of the events was the second Solidarity Summit (SASS), which was held to discuss knowledge, ideas and strategies to bust the illegally-imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. An exhibition was also part of the events to mark the day.
Addressing the delegates who included youths, business captains, traditional leaders and Government representatives, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Recreational Art and Culture, Nicholas Moyo said that Western countries’ illegal sanctions drove talented artistes into foreign lands, where they produced content undermining Zimbabwe’s image. He further said that the sanctions created brain drain not only in the creative industry but in other sectors of the economy as well.
“Zimbabwe has enough capacity and platforms to promote the creative arts and the performing industry in the country, however the illegal sanctions are being used as a weapon to create a bad image of the country. Illegal sanctions have created a skills shortage in the arts industry and if they are removed, many international artistes would be capacitated to work locally to develop their individual local economies.
“In the United States we have many Zimbabweans doing well in the arts sector, but today we call for the removal of the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe so that these professionals can return home. This will help in boosting the economy of Zimbabwe as our own artistes will be able to produce films locally in which local talent is not exploited through brain drain,” said Moyo.
Dorowera Irrigation Scheme, Chaiman, Kingston Denga, who was exhibiting in the agricultural sector at the summit, said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to commercialise urban farming areas under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) were bearing fruits as farmers in Mutoko were producing sustainably, helping in assuring national food security.
“We are growing crops such as organic rice, butternut, bananas and tomatoes at Dorowera Irrigation Scheme in Ward 6. After receiving sanctions, we as farmers saw that we have to move forward in line with the Government to support and create food security. We are ending hunger by growing organic grains in line with Vision 2030. Sanctions are a war declared on the people of Zimbabwe and we must remain resolute as farmers to defeat them by making agricultural production,” said Denga.
Meanwhile, Midlands State University (MSU) renowned academic and media expert, Professor Nhamo Mhiripiri, commended the Second Republic for advancing media laws towards an informed nation in fighting sanctions. He commended the Zimpapers media house’s steadfast measures in promoting the anti-sanctions narrative locally and internationally.
