President Emmerson Mnangagwa has saluted Zimbabweans for being patriotic.
He made the remarks on Wednesday 19 October 2022 while officiating at the Teachers for Economic Development (TeachersforED) launch in Harare.
The three-day event is being held at the Harare International Conference Centre under the theme, ‘Integrating Zimbabwean Teachers Into The Mainstream Economy Through Ideological Orientation’.
Some 5 000 teachers from different schools from all 10 provinces are attending the event where they, together with learners are exhibiting various products. Officiating, Mnangagwa said:
Please take this to your heart that l am happy from the bottom of my heart. I recognize Teachers for Economic Development. Zuva ranhasi handirikanganwi, it is one of the greatest surprise I have ever had in my career.
l am inspired that people of Zimbabwe have despite their calling decided to be patriotic to their country.
The event has, however, attracted criticism from the opposition and some teachers’ unions who claim that the launch of the TeachersforED union marks the politicisation of education.
They say this could be the beginning of an end to collective bargaining as the TeachersforED grouping is allegedly pro-state.
The shadowy union is reportedly championing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election bid.