Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has presented a formal position paper demanding guaranteed participation in the proposed Bulawayo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), warning that economic development must not exclude those who fought for the nation’s independence.
Presenting the paper at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Holiday Inn in Bulawayo on Monday, the association argued that veterans hold a “legitimate and moral stake” in all major national economic programmes.
“The SEZ initiative must therefore not only attract capital but must also restore dignity, inclusion, and economic justice to those who fought for this country,” read the preamble of the document.
The veterans cited the historical context of Bulawayo’s industrial decline, which they said disproportionately affected former combatants absorbed into industries after independence.
“The deindustrialisation of the city disproportionately affected war veterans, many of whom were absorbed into collapsing industries and later discarded without social or economic safety nets,” the paper stated.
ZNLWVA Chairman, Cde. Andrease Ethan Mathibela, emphasised the principle of inclusive empowerment.
“Economic development without inclusion breeds resentment and instability,” he stated.
“War veterans should not be reduced to ceremonial figures but recognised as foundational stakeholders in national development.”
The association tabled several key proposals, including:
· Reserved quotas for industrial stands, factory shells, and commercial spaces within the SEZ for veteran-owned entities.
· The establishment of a dedicated “War Veterans SEZ Economic Empowerment Facility” with government guarantees.
· Employment quotas for veterans and their dependents in SEZ enterprises.
· Representation of veterans on SEZ governance structures.
“We stand ready to partner with Government, local authorities, and investors to ensure that the Bulawayo SEZ becomes a model of inclusive, patriotic, and sustainable development,” the paper concluded, reiterating the veterans’ motto:
“Nothing for us, without us.”
The proposal aligns the veterans’ demands with the national Vision 2030 and the values of the Unity Accord, framing inclusion as a necessary component of reconciliation and shared prosperity.
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