Morgan Tsvangirai- full inauguration speech (11 Feb 2009)
The full inauguration speech by Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.
11 February 2009
Harare
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Your Majesty, King Mswati III, the Chairman of the AU Commission, Mr Jean Ping, President Mugabe, former President Mbeki, Your Excellencies, Honoured Guests, People of Zimbabwe,
Today is an historic day for our country. As we form this transitional government, we look back withreflection on the difficult journey that has brought us to this day, and look forward with determination to the road that lies ahead.
To my fellow African leaders, there can be no turning back on the political agreement which each party has signed, knowing it is not a perfect agreement but still a workable one. An agreement that if implemented with good faith, will deliver a peaceful way forward toward a stable economy, a new constitution and free and fair elections. Brothers and sisters in SADC and the AU, we are counting on you to be our partners and to ensure that this agreement is upheld as we face the challenges of rebuilding our country in the days ahead.
Though today’s ceremony marks a very significant milestone on our democratic journey, it is only the beginning. On this day 19 years ago Nelson Mandela walked free from Victor Verster prison, an historic step on South Africa’s long road to freedom. Read more
Can a fiscal policy possibly curb the inflation in our heads?
The better part of last year saw me living in a secluded place where life is still relatively easy but not necessarily unharmed by the current economic melt down. Yes this is Zimbabwe! The one reason for this is that we are very close to the Botswana border where we get our groceries cheap using our parents’ hard earned forex they send monthly to support their kids in college. Although life is okay, the area is so secluded and the only news about the outside world is through over exaggerated satellite and internet news coupled with the toned down stuff our parents told us via email or telephone. Frankly, none of this prepared me enough for the shock of a life time when I set foot in Harare.
When Reserve Bank governor, Gideon Gono introduced the forex shops we were all relieved at least inflation was going to be past, our prices would be realistic and a lot of goods were going to be readily available on the shelves a slight return to the pre-land redistribution era. Every Zimbabwean was ready to sacrifice the little forex their Diaspora relatives had sent them. But alas, this was just another distant Zimbabwean dream. Read more
On their return
“Pssst!”
I turned around with a start.
“Hallo.”
My heart sank. I had always known they would return. Everyone knew they would return. It was just a question of time. But none of us had expected them to return so, so, soon, with such speed and ferocity.
“You are back,” I said resignedly.
“We never left. We’ve always been here,” they said smugly.
1 August 2008 is not light years away. That day that heralded a new currency and the new transaction dispensation minus 10 zeroes. That week coins were all the rage. But we knew it wouldn’t last. Read more
1440 hrs- Someone heard my prayer
As if to answer my prayer about the heat, the clouds rolled in- looking angrier than the sun. Now it’s raining in Harare. Thank you God.
Now, how about that political and economic heat…
My Zimbabwe
I have listened to a thousand critics about the Zimbabwean situation. People are busy pointing fingers, insulting and anything their troubled mind can think of. Almost everyone at one moment pointed a finger but has that ever changed the situation? No!!! Why? Only you and I know better.
In my own view, the economic situation has been a blessing in disguise. Despite the pain we went though as a nation, I strongly believe that we are a better paople. Let the sun in our situation rise and you will know exactly what I am talking about. Read more
Why this lady still calls Zimbabwe home
The article by gogo entitled “I want to go home” struck a chord in me. It seems that it’s a shared sentiment by millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and at home. I came across this article by Kate Chambers which resonates with the same feelings for the mother country.
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Christian Science Monitor- The soldier sauntered out from behind the barrier, fiddling with a rifle slung across his chest. We had reached Zimbabwe’s Birchenough Bridge, a dusty settlement five hours from the South African border. The soldier peered into the car window. He was young, in his early 20s, I’d guess. “Why didn’t you stop?” he asked. Not for the first time, I wondered whether we were right to return. Read more
