mbulelo smpofu
Zvamaida Murwira in KWEKWE
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday delivered the historic first batch of title deeds to beneficiaries under the Land Tenure Implementation Programme as the Second Republic bolsters land ownership that will put an end to the issue of tenure and security.
The tenure system will revolutionalise the Land Reform Programme embarked upon by the Government from the year 2000, and ensure bankability and transferability of title.
President Mnangagwa launched the Land Tenure Implementation programme at Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe, a property owned by the First Family.
It was a colourful ceremony attended by Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, service chiefs, traditional leaders, farmers and captains of industry, among others.
In his keynote address, President Mnangagwa described the event as a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing journey towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“It is with a great sense of pride and joy that we gather here on this historic day to highlight another accomplishment of the Second Republic,” he said.
“I welcome you all to Pricabe Farm. My Government is charting a new transformative and inclusive development agenda encapsulated in our National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“This is consistent with the collective aspirations and determination of the people of our great nation to become an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society by 2030.”
President Mnangagwa said it is through such relentless pursuits that Government is determined to deliver broad-based transformation, wealth creation and provision of economic opportunities for all Zimbabweans, leaving no one and no place behind.
“The land in our great motherland is an indispensable economic enabler to the attainment of our vision, more so that agriculture is at the epicentre of our national transformative agenda,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the land holds deep historical significance as it’s ownership can be traced back to the First Chimurenga, adding that the country’s forebears fought tirelessly for the right to keep the land.
“The Second Chimurenga reclaimed this land in 1980 when we won our Independence. The Land Reform Programme, undertaken in 2000, remains a cornerstone of our national identity and an essential pillar for our economic independence.
“We fought the liberation war to get back our land, ‘ivhu rave nevene varo, vene vevhu vave nevhu ravo’.
“The land is irreversibly with its people, and the people irreversibly with their land. The Land Reform Programme is, therefore, irreversible,” he said.
President Mnangagwa added that the national Constitution recognises the importance of land in agricultural productivity.
“Our Constitution binds us to strengthen the Land Tenure System of 99-year Leases and A1/A2 permits. The Constitution, in sections 289, 293 and 295, gives rights to every Zimbabwean citizen to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer or dispose of agricultural land.
“Land tenure security is critically important to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development.
It encourages investment, improves agricultural production and productivity, and lifts many out of poverty into prosperity,” he said.
With secure land tenure, the President said, farmers can access credit facilities, buy inputs and hire labour, ultimately increasing their yields and incomes.
“As such, the importance of more secure, bankable and transferable land tenure cannot be overstated. Such a tenure document is the ultimate empowerment tool for our farmers, especially war veterans and their children.
“The title deed, which my Government has developed for issuance to farmers, will preserve security and spur investment for accelerated livelihoods’ upliftment and economic development,” said President Mnangagwa.
“My administration has, therefore, made a bold decision to empower the beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme by giving them tenure that will unlock the value of our land, allowing it to be used as collateral.”
War veterans, whose sacrifices won the country’s independence and the land, must not be left behind, added the President.
Youths, women and people with disabilities should also be considered for the title deeds.
President Mnangagwa said the need to safeguard the land and preserve the liberation struggle gains is paramount.
“In this regard, land transfers shall be among qualifying Zimbabweans,” he said.
The President implored financial institutions to embrace the title deeds in order to improve farmers’ access to finance and capital, which is critical for production.
“Let me reiterate my Government’s commitment to ensuring that land distribution is fair, transparent, and beneficial to all Zimbabweans.
“The handover of these title deeds is a testament to our commitment to empower Zimbabweans — the estimated 23 500 A2 farmers and estimated 360 000 A1 farmers,” he said.
Farmers were reminded that the land must be used judiciously and responsibly.
“As you are aware, the land vests in the President on behalf of the State. The State is, therefore, transferring the land to each holder of a valid land tenure document.
“This new tenure system will be the ultimate anchor of our Land Reform Programme. To the recipients of this new tenure document, I challenge you to use this to defend the revolution, unlock investment and increase production, productivity, profitability, viability, and sustainability to accelerate agricultural transformation.”
The President commended the Land Tenure Technical Committee chaired by businessman, Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, for its excellent and meticulous contribution to the success of the initiative.
“Your dedication is deeply appreciated. Your selfless contribution is a true testimony to the mantra, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa, nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe, ngabaninilo.”
