SPEECH BY THE MAYOR, COUNCILLOR B. JAMES AT THE STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME TO BE HELD AT DANGARE PRIMARY SCHOOL ON 16TH OCTOBER 2009.

• The Nango Eastern Region Co-ordinator, Mr T Nyandoro
• Nango members
• Representatives of Non Governmental organisations
• Government Officials
• Dangare primary School head
• The Business Community
• Dangare School teachers
• Dangare School pupils
• Ladies and Gentlement

It is a great honour and privilege that has been bestowed on me to have been invited to address you at this important occasion in the city.

First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the NANGO for deciding to hold this campaign at Dangare Primary School in Sakubva, because it is a central venue for citizens in the high density suburbs namely Dangamvura, Sakubva and Chikanga.

The residents in the above-mentioned residential suburbs are being seriously affected by poverty in their everyday life. In this regard, they should be taken on board on poverty reduction programmes such as the SUTA campaign.  The citizens affected by poverty and hunger should be actively involved in activities or programmes on poverty reduction because there will be no progress achieved without involving them.

I am being impressed by the fact that NANGO in liaison with NGOs have decided to stand up and take action against poverty. I have been reliably informed that the objectives of the campaign are as follows:-

• To raise awareness on the promise of the Millennium declaration and the Millennium Development Goals what they mean to the citizens of Mutare.
• To remind the policy makers of the promise underlying the Millennium Development Goals.
• To Organize voices and actions that highlight the need for government to put people first, advocate for pro-people policies so that government can act decisively to end poverty and hunger in our communities.
• To facilitate platform for citizens to interact with policy makers, business community, civic organizations, government departments and other key stakeholders to “stand up and take action against poverty” in order to end poverty and eradicate hunger in our communities. Council on its part is committed to work together with all stakeholders towards poverty reduction for the benefit of our city.

Let our campaign against issues related to poverty and hunger be heard and let those who have resources, expertise and knowledge to assist us hear our plight and take appropriate action to end poverty.

With these few remarks, I wish you a successful campaign.

Thank you