I have great respect for 'father, mentor, comrade-in-arms, mentor Mugabe', says Mnangagwa
Harare – In his first speech as president of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated his and Zanu PF’s new commitment that they want to grow the economy and create jobs.
Mnangagwa, who was inaugurated as president at the National Sport Stadium in Harare on Friday after Robert Mugabe’s 37 year rule, said he had great respect for Mugabe as a “father, mentor, comrade-in-arms, and my leader”.
“Let me at this stage pay special tribute to one of, and the only surviving founding father of our nation, cadre Robert Gabriel Mugabe. He led us in our struggle for national independence, and assumed responsibilities of leadership at the formative and very challenging time in the birth of our nation,” Mnangagwa said.
“Whatever errors of commission or omission that might have occurred during that critical phase in the life of our nation, let us all accept and acknowledge his immense contribution towards the building of our nation,” he said.
Mnangagwa addressed some of the concerns ordinary Zimbabweans had been complaining about since the military takeover which led to the resignation of Mugabe this week. These included addressing issues of jobs, access to cash, and Zimbabwe’s stance in the international community.