ANC, US congratulate Zimbabwe on constitution By Farirai Machivenyika
May 24, 2013 - herald.co.zw
ANC spokesperson Jackson MthembuSouth Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe have congratulated President Mugabe and the generality of Zimbabweans following the coming into law of a new Constitution for the country on Wednesday.
Zimbabweans from across the political divide also saluted the inclusive Government for successfully sealing the constitution deal without external meddling.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement the commitment shown by Zimbabweans in writing the new constitution showed it was possible for a country to find solutions to their challenges without external interference.
“The free, fair and peaceful nature of the referendum and the evidence of a mature democracy in Zimbabwe are a clear pointer to the free and fair elections we believe Zimbabwe shall hold in the near future.
“The recent events have demonstrated the commitment of all political parties and the people of Zimbabwe to ensure the realisation of this vision of free and fair elections that are not only in their interest but in the interest of the continent as a whole,” Mthembu said.
“Africa is indeed rising, marking an end to decades of underdevelopment, poverty and subjugation.
“The tenacity and resilience shown by the people and Government of Zimbabwe must serve as an inspiration to many of us on how a country`s people, when united, can seek and find their own solutions to challenges facing them.”
The constitution became the supreme law after President Mugabe appended his signature to the document at a ceremony held at State House on Wednesday.
“The signing of the constitution is a culmination of a process that started when the people committed themselves and participated in a free and fair referendum earlier this year.
“Parliament then passed the constitution unanimously, leading the way to the signing into law by the President today (Wednesday). The new constitution marks a significant milestone in the successful implementation of the Global Political Agreement and the democratic life of Zimbabwe.
“It is further a signal of a new beginning for that country premised on mutual co-operation and the need for further progress,” he said.
Cde Mthembu commended the facilitation role played by Sadc in ensuring that Zimbabwe had a new Constitution.
Zimbabweans welcomed the signing into law of the new constitution saying it showed that Zimbabwe was capable of conducting its internal activities without external influence.
Harare residents who spoke to The Herald yesterday commended the unity of purpose exhibited by Zimbabweans and parties in the inclusive Government for coming up with the constitution despite the sharp differences that existed when the process began.
Ms Wadzanai Dimingo, a resident of Tafara high-density suburb in Harare, said the new Constitution was a sign of political maturity by Zimbabweans.
“This is an example of the vibrant democracy and maturity in our country and I just hope that the same maturity will be exhibited during the forthcoming elections that we want held as soon as possible to ensure the country moves forward from the challenges we have faced in the past decade,” she said.
Another Harare resident, Lovemore Tembo, said the completion of the constitution-making exercise was a slap in the face of the country’s detractors and prophets of doom.
“There are so many people out there who have wished for the situation in the country to degenerate into chaos but the peaceful completion of this exercise shows that we can achieve a lot as a country if we have unity of purpose.
“We also do not want foreign meddling.
“We hope all other issues affecting the country at the moment can be resolved using the same commitment that was shown during the constitution making process,” he said.
Source: www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79755:anc-us-congratulate-zim-on-constitution-&catid=37:top-stories&Itemid=130#.UZ-NJJwrLX0
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