By Tendai Mugabe
Zimbabweans should give President Mnangagwa a chance to fully implement his economic vision by voting for him in the forthcoming harmonised elections, prominent Zambian politician Dr Vernon Johnson Mwaanga has said.
Dr Mwaanga is a former Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister and also once served as Minister of Information, including serving as director-general of the Southern African country’s intelligence services.
He is famed for being appointed as Zambia’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1965 at the age of 21.
Two years later, he was deployed as permanent secretary in the Office of the President.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Herald on Friday, Dr Mwaanga, who is commonly known as Dr VJ, said President Mnangagwa was a practical person who could transform Zimbabwe economically if given a full mandate.
He said during the few months that President Mnangagwa has been in office, he had implemented several policies, pointing to a great future for Zimbabwe.
“I have a feeling that once given his own mandate, he will then be able to form a Government which will reflect his own vision about the future of Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mwaanga.
“He (President Mnangagwa) kept repeating to me that my brother VJ, Zimbabwe is open for business. I keep a close eye on what is happening in Zimbabwe and I think once free, fair and credible elections are held, Zimbabwe will move forward. Once given a chance to rebuild the country, I am convinced that President Mnangagwa will do the right thing for the country and put Zimbabwe back on the growth trajectory so that the economy begins to grow.
“When I went to Parirenyatwa (Hospital in Harare) and just chatted with doctors there, they highlighted shortages of medicines and other things and President Mnangagwa is very much aware of these challenges and I think if he is given his own mandate, he will be able to pay particular attention to that and other issues relating to infrastructure development.
“A number of factories that were closed are beginning to open, but they need an injection of capital and I believe that he (President Mnangagwa) is very mindful of this and that he will certainly do his best with the team he chooses to take the country forward,” he said.
Dr Mwaanga said he was confident that Zimbabwe would rise to its past glory under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa.
He said ordinary Zimbabweans he interacted with were impressed by President Mnangagwa’s economic policies and re-engagement efforts and were keen to vote for him.
Said Dr Mwaanga: “Given the work culture of the people of Zimbabwe and the priorities that I heard President Mnangagwa talking about, I am sure that Zimbabwe will rise up again. It is my hope that they (Zimbabweans) will be able to give President Mnangagwa the support that he needs so that he wins the next elections and appoints a Cabinet that will reflect his own vision for the future of Zimbabwe. A Cabinet that will work hard not to embrace the concept of what I call me, myself and I, but the concept of working for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Dr Mwaanga also commended President Mnangagwa’s all-embracing character, saying: “I got the impression that he is doing, by and large, the right things — that he is more tolerant also to the opposition. I noticed that when (MDC-T leader) Morgan Tsvangirai died, he accorded him a State funeral.
“The Government even helped to pay some of the expenses for his funeral and some of his medical bills he had incurred in South African hospitals. Each time I have talked to President Mnangagwa since he has been in office, he bears no bitterness, no hatred towards the other opposition party leaders or towards anybody.”
The Herald
Ahh, Ba VJ
You tip-toed around and side stepped the elephant in the room next door. Governance and human rights issues next door in Zambia. But to be fair to you, you were not just asked the question(s).
Yes we should support our own.
Munangagwa parents live here in Zambia. He went to Zambian schools, including UNZA. He joined UNIP.
Emmarson is more Zambian than RB.
ZIMBABWE IS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY. MWAANGA SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS MEDDLING IN ZIMBABWEAN POLITICAL AFFAIRS. MWAANGA’S EX- FOREIGN AFFAIRS EXPERIENCE CANNOT BE SEEN AS A POINT FOR HIM TO HELP ZAMBIAN MNAGAGWA CAMPAIGNER.
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Nonsense.
That is like saying give Idi Amin a chance. He arrived via a coup. We don’t give such people a chance
VJ has cultivated his own CV, just like King Kalu, that would be difficult for anybody to erase. He’s his own man despite his deficiencies which are obviously human. He’s very effective and good at what he does. You’re assured of results should you task him
Ok so Mnangagwa deserves a chance yet one Edgar never deserved a chance according to V.J! Interesting!
Dinosaurs belong in Museum. When is this man dying so that the world can have fresh ideas?
Stop wishing people were dead. Each person has his or her own life. Each life wants fulfillment
If it was not for his previous sins VJ Could have been President of Zambia. Truely our sins will always follow us. Very intelligent but not wise.
It’s good that one of our own Zambian brothers is ruling Zimbabwe. Just like one Malawian is ruling Zambia. Zambian politics belong to Zambians but Zambia as a country belong to all who live in it.
HH incarcerated, Nevers convicted, Siwale detained without charge, Kambwili and son charged, Eric chanda charged, Kambwili aide de camp arrested, Kalaba being victimised for simply resigning, Masebo in court
Person who shot UPND girl dead not even questioned, not even an inquest. Womens lobby extremely quite, with them all is well, and the little girl lies cold in her grave
Wise words from Dr vj.
“He is famed for being appointed as Zambia’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1965 at the age of 21.
Two years later, he was deployed as permanent secretary in the Office of the President….” LET US NOT FORGET THAT HE WAS A MANDRAX TRAFFICKER WHO WAS FIRED BY KK FOR THAT. HE RESURFACED IN THE MMD ADMINISTRATION AND WAS FAMOUS AS AN ELECTION RIGGER WHO EVEN MUGABE USED AT SOME POINT. This is not a noble man but a corrupt character who had the world at his feet and wasted it all because of personal greed. Hardly someone who should be advising Zimbabweans.
“Zimbabweans should give President Mnangagwa a chance to fully implement his economic vision by voting for him in the forthcoming harmonised elections, prominent Zambian politician Dr Vernon Johnson Mwaanga has said.”
Zimbabweans think for themselves.
Munangagwa and vj go hang
Mr v j i respected u but on this one you are offside. Dont conterminate zimbabwe. Let them vote wisely.
Why should coup leaders be given a chance??? Waitaya VJ!
Mnangagwa should come back home in manage his farm in Chongwe
VJ’s word isn’t final but just one among many on this issue. Munangagwa politically supervised the Matabeleland massacres in the 1980s and is not even ready to come clean. Zimbabwe needs a younger leader to take it to the next level. The freedom fighter generation has messed up the country and ought to be jettisoned for the sake of progress.
He’s just fired 16,000 striking nurses accusing them of supporting Mrs Mugabe’s faction.