President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially launched the War Veterans Mechanisation Programme, a new initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity while improving the welfare of veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. As part of the rollout, 100 tractors were handed over to beneficiaries in Harare on Thursday, marking the beginning of what government officials say will be a long-term empowerment scheme.
The programme is the latest in a series of measures introduced by the Second Republic to address the needs of war veterans, a constituency that has often been at the centre of national development discussions. Having fought against white colonial rule during the liberation struggle, the veterans have long called for targeted support to enable them to fully participate in the country’s economic life, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, said the programme was born out of direct consultations between President Mnangagwa and representatives of the war veterans. During a recent engagement, the veterans had raised the urgent need for farming equipment to boost their agricultural operations.
“We have handed over the first batch of 100 tractors to war veterans,” Dr Masuka explained. “This is a programme being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa after his meeting with veterans of the struggle. During that meeting, war vets asked for tractors, and President Mnangagwa, as a listening President, secured these tractors which are coming in from outside in batches. They are being disbursed under an AFC Bank facility, and they are not for free. For the first batch, the President has paid a deposit.”
According to government officials, the tractors will be distributed in phases to ensure that as many war veterans as possible benefit from the programme. The long-term goal is to modernise agricultural practices among veterans and increase their capacity to contribute to national food security and rural development.
For many of the beneficiaries, the gesture represents more than just access to farming machinery. It is viewed as a recognition of their sacrifices during the liberation struggle and a tangible step toward improving their livelihoods. Several veterans expressed gratitude during the ceremony, pledging to use the tractors productively.
Mnangagwa Launches War Veterans Mechanisation Programme, Hands Over 100 Tractors
“We applaud our President for remembering the comrades. With these tractors, this is the best way to empower us to go and work hard and produce. Many of us had no access to this kind of equipment, and we are grateful. We promise not to disappoint the President,” said one war veteran from Matabeleland South.
Another beneficiary described the programme as life-changing, saying: “I am running short of words, but I salute President Mnangagwa for taking note of the plight of war veterans and availing such a programme for us. This is a major boost for our farming operations.”
ZANU PF Secretary for the War Veterans League, Cde Douglas Mahiya, took the opportunity to underline the importance of consistent government support for the freedom fighters. He argued that initiatives such as the mechanisation programme demonstrated the President’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to those who sacrificed for Zimbabwe’s independence.
“Because of such a gesture, war veterans are saying President Mnangagwa should stay until 2030 so that he can do more to empower the freedom fighters,” Cde Mahiya said.
The tractor handover comes at a time when the government is also rolling out the Presidential War Veterans Fund, which is designed to support income-generating projects for veterans. The fund is part of broader efforts to integrate the welfare of freedom fighters into the national development agenda. Officials say the fund, combined with mechanisation support, will enable war veterans to participate more meaningfully in the mainstream economy rather than relying solely on state allowances.
Analysts note that the mechanisation programme is not only about empowering veterans but also fits within the government’s wider push for agricultural transformation. Zimbabwe has set ambitious goals under its Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, which seeks to make the sector the backbone of economic growth. With war veterans owning land across the country, equipping them with modern farming tools could contribute significantly to increased productivity.
The initiative also highlights the government’s use of targeted empowerment policies to solidify political support among key constituencies ahead of future electoral cycles. War veterans, who have historically played an influential role in Zimbabwe’s political landscape, are seen as critical allies for the ruling ZANU PF party.
For the beneficiaries, however, the immediate focus is on practical outcomes. Access to tractors means reduced reliance on costly hiring services, more timely land preparation, and the possibility of scaling up production. Many veterans said they intended to use the equipment not only for personal projects but also to support their communities.
As the first 100 tractors make their way into the fields, the government has promised further deliveries under the AFC Bank arrangement. Officials say the programme is structured to ensure accountability, with beneficiaries expected to meet repayment terms while benefiting from subsidised support.
The War Veterans Mechanisation Programme, combined with the newly launched war veterans’ fund, signals a new phase in the relationship between the state and its liberation fighters. For many, it is both a reward for past sacrifices and an investment in Zimbabwe’s agricultural future. Mnangagwa
Source- ZBC
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