President Nyusi eulogises legend of Ngungunhane

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President Nyusi eulogises legend of Ngungunhane

8:08 CAT | 17 Jul 2017

File photo / President Filipe Nyusi

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday highlighted the role played by the national hero and symbol of resistance to colonial rule, the emperor of Gaza, Ngungunhane.

Speaking at a rally in the village of Tchaimite, in the district of Chibuto, in the southern province of Gaza, President Nyusi said that Ngungunhane should continue to inspire local residents and all Mozambicans in their struggle to improve their well-being.

President Nyusi highlighted the legacy of the last Emperor of Gaza when he visited Tchaimite, which is where the “Lion of Gaza” was arrested by the Portuguese authorities in 1895.

President Nyusi pointed out that the struggle waged by Ngungunhane was undertaken so that Mozambicans could choose their destiny. He added that these ambitions mirror the efforts that Mozambicans undertake today on several fronts to achieve their aspirations.

He stressed, “the wars that Ngungunhane waged against the colonisers aimed to expel the Portuguese so that the people of Gaza could respond in a better manner to their needs”. He added that this is “an inspiration and a lesson for us in the fight we have to reach our objectives”.

Chibuto is the most populous district in Gaza. It also has the optimal conditions for agriculture, cashew nut production, fishing, and livestock. In addition, it is home to the heavy sands megaproject which could change the future of the district when production begins.

Despite these advantages, the district has various basic problems, particularly in the rural areas, with limited access to electricity, drinking water, health services, passable access roads, and secondary schools. These problems were the dominant topics at all of the stops that President Nyusi made during his three-day visit to the province.

Throughout the visit, President Nyusi emphasised that the government continues to mobilise resources to respond to the people’s needs. He argued that what the province requires most isinvestment in infrastructure. By way of example, he asked “why are we not dreaming of a small port, as the heavy sands project will need a route to transport its production”.

During his visit, the President also heard about the progress made at the farm run by The African Food Company. It has a 300-hectare plantation focused on producing premium organic bananas. It has access to the Limpopo River for irrigation and an annual production capacity of 15,000 tonnes of certified organic bananas per year. The company employs more than 400 local people and much of the fruit is exported to neighbouring South Africa.

Source: AIM