NewsDay is providing live updates of President Robert Mugabe’s State of the Nation address. The last State of the Nation Address made by the President was in 2007 during the hyper-inflationary era.
Staff Reporters
OK just a reminder of what President Mugabe said in his last State of the Nation Address, expect anything different?
The country has pressed forward with measures towards sustained economic recovery; notwithstanding the suffering endured by many of our people on account of drought-induced food shortages, illegal sanctions and the high-price mania that has stalked the economy. Once again, I wish to thank all our people for their stoic resilience in the face of these challenges.
15:31: Zanu PF members have started singing in praise of their leader,whilst the MDC MPs are singing ‘Zanu yaora baba”.
15:30:Mugabe left the house amid chaos as opposition Mps asked him about the whereabouts of Dzamara and the promised 2 million jobs.
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15:27:Mugabe discusses salaries of senior management at state institutions and says the situation is below minimal…the common law provision must be removed in the law.
15:24: “A new procurement bill is set to come before the end of the year to tackle corruption” Muagbe says the State procurement board will be transformed.
15:20: Mugabe says he recognises the importance of reintergration with the international community.He says his government is finalizing a ‘Diaspora Policy’.
“The government is looking at amending laws to allow ease of doing business in the country.”
15:19: An MDC Mp shouts “zvaramba Gushungo”
15:18 In the health sector he says 53 rural health centres will be built
15:17:The President announces that 125 million dollars has been allocated for digital migration,he is hopeful that Zimbabwe will achieve the target.
15:16:Mugabe says”The Small to Medium sector has become the source of livelihood” http://
15:15: In his State of the nation address Mugabe promises to revive Cottco for small cotton growers. MDC Mps exhibirt skepticism as they ask Mugabe where the two million jobs promised by his government are.
15:10 :Mugabe says the tourism sector continues to grow and that the financial services sector remains stable.
15:10Mugabe says the economic growth rate was revised down due to drought. The President blames the slow and late onset of rains which have affected the economic growth rate.
15:08 Mugabe says he will tackle corruption, MDC says it is corruption which has killed the country.
The house is full of noise as MDC Mps heckle Mugabe.
15:06:Mugabe says his government has a 10 point plan to revive the agriculture, to grow the mining sector & SMEs. The MDC MPs however view his plan as mere promises.
15:05:He says this day is to reflect the achievements made so far.He apys tribute to the security forces for peace.
15:00:President Robert Mugabe has arrived to address the nation
14:29:Business of the house has been suspended pending the grand arrival of Mugabe to address the nation.Mugabe is expected to address the current crisis in the labour market and how his Zanu PF government will arrest the calamity which has seen over 23 000 workers being rendered jobless
14:26:Parliament building environs teeming with State security agents, police details and military staffers
14:22The house is packed to capacity with some MPs failing to secure seats and are seated in the speakers gallery which is usually meant for visitors
14:19 President Mugabe’s usual apostolic sect praise-singers conspicuous by their absence outside the national assemblyNothing like the usual pomp and fanfare associated with such events.
The address comes as the country’s economy is on its knees according to the opposition and analyst and Mugabe has to provide direction on how the economy will be resurrected and save millions of jobless Zimbabweans who now depend on vending.
The country’s treasury has projected that economic growth will stand at 1.2 percent by year end down from the projected 3.4 percent.
14:16:The speaker of the national assembly Jacob Mudenda has just walked into the national assembly to commence preceding for today’s much awaited state of the nation address.
The President is expected to deliver his address at 3 pm.
We asked the netizens their expectations for the State of the Nation address and these are some of their sentiments:
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