Nyanga District Unites with Nation, SADC to Demand End to Illegal Sanctions on Zimbabwe

Ruwangwe – All roads led to Ruwangwe Growth Point in Nyanga North Constituency earlier today as the Nyanga District community joined the rest of Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and progressive nations across the globe in commemorating the 2025 SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.

The event, a powerful display of unity and resilience, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, churches, youth groups, war veterans, women’s organizations and civil society movements, all united under a single message: “Sanctions must go.”

This year’s commemorations were held under the theme “United for Economic Sovereignty: Ending Sanctions, Restoring Dignity,” a rallying call echoing the collective demand for justice, fair trade, and respect for national sovereignty.

The Nyanga District commemorations began at Emmanuel High School, where hundreds gathered for a 3-kilometre Anti-Sanctions Solidarity March.

The march, characterised by revolutionary songs, placards and Pan-African chants, moved through the heart of Ruwangwe and concluded at the Ruwangwe Growth Point Bus Terminus, the venue for the main proceedings.

Participants carried banners reading, “Sanctions Hurt the Poor—Lift Them Now!”
“Zimbabwe’s Sovereignty Is Not for Sale.”
“We Demand Economic Justice.”
“Africa Stands with Zimbabwe.”

The atmosphere was charged with patriotic energy, as young people and elders marched side by side, united by a commitment to defend Zimbabwe’s independence and economic rights.

While Nyanga hosted its district-level event, the main national commemorations were held in Harare at the Heritage Village, where His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa presided over the proceedings.

The President’s message was broadcast across the country and read at provincial and district events.

In Nyanga, the President’s speech was delivered by Nyanga District Development Coordinator, Mr. Lloyd Kasima, who represented the Office of the President and Cabinet.

In his delivery, Mr. Kasima emphasised that sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom over two decades ago are illegal, unjust and targeted at the nation’s sovereignty and economic stability.

“These sanctions are a form of 21st-century economic warfare imposed to punish Zimbabwe for reclaiming its land and natural resources. They are designed to suffocate development, isolate our country and weaken our economy. Yet Zimbabwe has remained united, peaceful and focused on development,” he said.

Since 2019, SADC has stood in solidarity with Zimbabwe by setting aside October 25th each year as Anti-Sanctions Day.

The regional bloc has repeatedly condemned the sanctions, noting that they do not only affect Zimbabwe but also stifle regional economic growth and intra-African trade.

In line with this, the Nyanga event reaffirmed regional unity, with speakers applauding SADC nations such as South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana for their consistent support.

Mr. Kasima read the President’s remarks highlighting Zimbabwe’s diplomatic re-engagement efforts, “Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none. We continue engaging globally as we call for the unconditional removal of sanctions. Our nation stands ready to trade freely, attract investment and participate equally in global affairs.”

Speaker after speaker at the Nyanga event described how sanctions have affected ordinary Zimbabweans, restricting access to health care, global financial services, and economic growth.

Representatives of the Nyanga Rural District Council noted that sanctions have delayed infrastructure development projects in rural communities, including clinics, schools and roads.

Women from local cooperatives echoed the same sentiment, saying sanctions had made foreign funding for development projects nearly impossible to access.

Farmers lamented that restrictions on trade financing have crippled their ability to export produce despite fertile soils and hard work.

It has been apparently clear that the Sanctions meted on the country are not targeted. They are not smart. They hurt children, farmers, students and the elderly. They are an attack on every Zimbabwean household.

The programme blended political consciousness with cultural expression. Performances by local groups such as Ruwangwe Traditional Ensemble and Nyatate Youth Mbira Group electrified the crowd.

Traditional songs of resistance, unity and African pride punctuated the event, reminding attendees of Zimbabwe’s liberation history.

Church choirs opened the event with prayer, invoking peace and resilience.

Representatives from Christian denominations and Apostolic sects offered messages of unity, urging Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in the face of global injustice.

Traditional leaders, custodians of Zimbabwean heritage, played a key role at the Nyanga commemoration.

Chief Katerere, who led a delegation of traditional leaders, delivered a powerful solidarity message, emphasizing that, “Sanctions are a continuation of colonial aggression. They were imposed because Zimbabwe took back its land. As traditional leaders, we will always stand with our nation against any form of re-colonisation. No foreign nation will ever determine our destiny.”

He called for community unity and urged young people to defend the legacy of the liberation struggle.

Even under sanctions, the Nyanga District has continued recording progress in community development.

Speakers applauded Government programmes such as, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa climate proofing agricultural method that has led to improved food security.

With the thrust taken by the Government of Zimbabwe on Rural Industrialisation, small-scale enterprises are being promoted.

With the implementation of Devolution Funding and other financing mechanisms and partnerships, the Second Republic has been financing clinics, bridges and schools with new clinics and previously stalled ones being completed.

Among these new schools are the Nyamubarawanda Secondary School, Bunganirwe Primary, Kanyimo Secondary School, Regina Coeli Primary School, Sande Munemo Secondary School among others.

Munemo Rural Health Centre, Mukunza Clinic, Sanhani Clinic, Chimusasa Clinic, Mbiriyadi Clinic and the Rekai Tangwena Clinic are at various levels of construction with some of these already commissioned and are giving services to the communities.

These and more such initiatives have shown the resilience of the people of Zimbabwe as enunciated in the mantra by the President His Excellency Dr ED Mnangagwa that Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo.

Nyanga North Member of Parliament Hon. Chido Sanyatwe in remarks read on her behalf commended residents for their participation in the 2025 Edition of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations held in Nyanga District ans hosted in Nyanga North Constituency said, “Sanctions were meant to break us, but they have only made us stronger and more united. We will continue building our economy brick by brick.”

Representatives of the war veterans delivered passionate remarks, reminding attendees that liberation was achieved through sacrifice and must be defended with the same spirit.

They called on young people to continue resisting economic oppression and Western interference.

The disabled community also spoke, saying sanctions had worsened access to assistive devices, health care and job opportunities.

Closing the event, Mr. Kasima reading through the President’s Speech urged unity, productivity and patriotism, stressing that sanctions must not be used as an excuse for laziness or corruption.

“As we call for sanctions removal, let us also work hard to develop our country. Let us be disciplined, peaceful and united. Every household, every village, every district must contribute to national development.”

The Nyanga District Anti-Sanctions commemorations demonstrated once again that Zimbabweans are not defeated by adversity.

Through song, speeches, prayer and patriotic solidarity, the people of Nyanga affirmed that Zimbabwe’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and development is inevitable, with or without sanctions.

As the day ended, the clarion call was one, “Sanctions are unjust. Sanctions must go.”