RESPONSE
TO THE PRESIDENT’S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT, 13 FEBRUARY 2002
BY NEFOLOVHODWE PJ M.P. (AZAPO)
The
address by the President on the 8th February 2002 touched on core
themes like poverty eradication, land reform, housing, Black Economic
Empowerment as well as the position of traditional leaders in our society.
Indeed
the state is obliged to take positive actions to meet the needs of those living
in extreme conditions of poverty, homelessness or intolerable housing.
These socio – economic rights need to be dealt with and understood in
their historical and social context given the legacy of deep social inequalities
that emanates from our past
Millions
of Black people live in grave deprivation.
The high level of unemployment, the inaccessibility of clean water,
electricity, food and adequate health services, testify daily to the miserable
conditions in which black men, women and children find themselves.
Azapo
believes that it is possible to put into place sustainable programmes that are
geared at the eradication of all forms of deprivations that black people live
under. However,
these programmes cannot succeed if at the same time the Government is not
prepared to abandon its macro – economic policy. GEAR is responsible for job
losses.
Cognisant
of the fact that up to now Government has not paid much attention to the quality
of the houses built by construction companies contracted to government, Azapo is
not at all encouraged by the mere mentioning of a statistical figure of 1.2
million units built.
To us it is not the number of units built that counts, but their quality.
If indeed we want to create “a better life for all” then we should at
the same time build better houses for all.
Government
should as a matter of urgency establish a coherent public housing programme
controlled by a state-run housing company that will work towards the progressive
realisation of the right of access to adequate and decent housing.
Azapo
welcomes the announcement of the recognition and honour of Cde Bantu Biko for
his contribution to the liberation of our land and people.
Azapo will do all in its power to work with all interested parties to
make the 25th commemoration of the brutal murder of Biko a success.
Despite the fact that Cde Biko is one of the founder members of our
movement and the Black Consciousness philosophy, we have always held the view
that he and many other heroes of our struggle are symbols of the black
people’s collective struggle.
Azapo
supports the Government’s efforts to create conducive conditions for the
people of Zimbabwe to determine their own destiny without outside interference
Azapo
is encouraged by the commitment of Government to finalise the position, role and
functions of traditional leaders.
We find it strange though that a black government does not seem to
understand the roles, responsibilities and functions of traditional leaders.
Madam
Speaker the black people are the majority, and yet the positive aspects of their
traditions and norms have not as yet been incorporated into our emerging
democratic processes.
Those who colonised us, like it when we despise our own traditions.
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