by Senior Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday officially conferred City status on Victoria Falls at an event, where he was also granted the Freedom of the City, the highest civic honour in recognition of his contribution to the town’s growth.
It will be the first such honour to be given to anyone by the Victoria Falls municipality in the history of the town and the first for President Mnangagwa as Head of State.
Present at the event were Local Government Minister July Moyo, Matabeleland North Minister of State Richard Moyo, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Victoria Falls Mayor, Somvelo Dlamini.
“I congratulate you for achieving this milestone. Your worship the Mayor, councillors, distinguished invited guests, over the years the City has hosted many world class leaders, while Conferences and meetings held here have seen the passing of decisions with far reaching global implications.
“The Tourism Growth Strategy, new Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the Victoria Falls International Airport and overall potential of Matebeleland North province are indeed a symbol of hope,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President exhorted the city leadership and all stakeholders to utilize the new status to boost the national image towards growing the tourism sector and other ongoing national investment, trade and modernization programmes.
“It remains Government’s expectations that the city will continue on its vision and mission to provide high quality services which maintain the uniqueness, natural ambience and competitiveness of the city of Victoria Falls as a premier tourist destination. The city must honourably acquit its duties and rise to the new weighty and multifaceted responsibilities which come with the status,” said the President.
He urged the officials to craft and promote strong and enabling development control measures to give impetus to the transformation of the City into a world class smart city benchmarked against the world’s best.
The President highlighted that the New Dispensation was committed to the implementation and completion of projects laid out in the Zambezi Binga corridor strategic development plan that will see the establishment of vibrant and sustainable tourism products in Binga, Sijalila and Mlibizi among others on the Zambezi tourism corridor.
“Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River also remind us of the inseparable connection we have with our sisterly neighbouring Republic of Zambia. We have a shared past with regards our struggle for independence and undoubtedly common aspirations for the mutual prosperity of our people.” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa was also conferred with Freedom of the City of Victoria Falls, an honour he humbly accepted.
“It is with utmost appreciation that I accept and receive this great honour of the conferment of the Freedom of the City of Victoria Falls. The conferment goes beyond the recognition of my own personal contributions, but is a dedication to the many living and departed heroes and heroines of our liberation struggle for independence,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President further said that the recognition will serve to engender a symbolic connection between the present generation and the country’s rich liberation heritage, more so that it comes soon after the ground breaking ceremony for the Museum for African Liberation, which will immortalise the African liberation history and heritage.
“The honour for me personally symbolizes my freedom from the arresting chains of the racist and oppressive colonial regime and subsequent deportation through Victoria Falls to Zambia,” he said.
The President highlighted that the fact the conferment of Freedom of the City has been accorded to him under the auspices of a local authority constituted by opposition council members attest to the unique character of the leadership of the council and the people of Victoria Falls adding that it was equally a testimony of the strong inherent national spirit of unity among Zimbabweans.
“As a young Council, I commend your wisdom. Through this gesture you have demonstrated that we are all Zimbabweans and what unites us and bonds us together is far stronger than any issues that could ever divide us. In unity, peace, love and emboldened by the desire to defend, guard and advance our national interest, the success and prosperity of our country is merely a matter of time,” he said.
President Mnangagwa highlighted that under the Second Republic, the country is forging ahead on an irreversible course towards an upper middle income economy by 2030 calling upon those who choose to prioritise the modernization and industrialisation, development, growth and prosperity of their motherland to join the country on the exciting journey.
Victoria Falls becomes the first city in Matabeleland North, and only the second after Bulawayo in the three western provinces in Zimbabwe.
The city status is a milestone and prestigious achievement for Victoria Falls, which becomes the first municipality to be upgraded by the Second Republic, giving it more name recognition for investors, and opens opportunities for twinning relationships with other cities around the world.
