SPEECH BY HON. J. L. NKOMO SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AT THE RECEPTION TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE 9 JUNE 2005 AFM/wc

HONOURABLE MINISTERS;

MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS;

HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT;

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS;

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN;

COMRADES AND FRIENDS:

It is a great honour for me to address you on this auspicious occasion marking the official opening of the First Session of the Sixth Parliament of Zimbabwe.  True to our democratic tradition, our presence here today is once again a reaffirmation of our nationhood and sovereignty.  I  recognize old and new faces among us as a positive outcome of the competitive nature of our politics. In this regard, I want to especially welcome the newly elected members of the Sixth Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, who earned our people’s vote of confidence during the recent elections.  Let me also express my humble gratitude to all Members of Parliament for unanimously electing me Speaker on 12 April 2005.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our Parliament is a national and permanent institution charged with the responsibility of meeting its legislative, representative and oversight functions for the national good. As such, the work of Parliament affects the lives of the people of Zimbabwe today and for generations to come.

As representatives of the people, we should demonstrate total commitment to make this Parliament effective and relevant in the renewed partnership of the political parties represented in the august House.  We owe the existence of our democratic dispensation and independence to our

forebearers and to the thousands of gallant and heroic sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice for Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty.  Parliament, therefore, has an obligation to contribute to the delivery of the social goods and services to the nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the electorate who are the shareholders in this national enterprise called Zimbabwe have invested an enormous amount of trust and faith in this Parliament. It is thus incumbent up on each and every Member of Parliament to be worthy of that trust.   They expect you to be judicious in your use of powers of Parliament to pass relevant laws and to be thorough, objective and fair indeed in your exercise of the oversight role on the Executive.

As we begin the Sixth Parliament, the challenge is for us to harness our collective strength, both the energy of the young and the experience and wisdom of the old, to define and articulate common national goals for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe.

In bearing the torch of the Parliamentary reform process, one of whose objectives is to address the public perception that Parliament was secretive and not open to public scrutiny, we intend to further engage and involve the public  in the work of Parliament.  We have a challenge to create an institution that is reflective of our history, culture, ethos and aspirations and one which is consistent with the values of our liberation struggle. We shall, therefore, endeavor to create propitious conditions for Members to play their roles effectively, through effective and efficient service delivery by the administration of Parliament, and the provision of policy analysis, information and information communication technology and facilities for Members. The challenge, therefore, is to be modern, not just in the use of technology but also by engaging the public in a climate of openness and accessibility. Members must show an appreciation of the past, respecting those timeless values of probity and service to the people of Zimbabwe.  As Members of Parliament, you carry a heavy responsibility in meeting these challenges. 

As I said in my acceptance speech, I am acutely aware of the need to consolidate and carry forward these reforms with commensurate resource mobilization and allocation.  Some of the major achievements of the Fifth Parliament which need to be consolidated are:

·        The establishment of a rationalized and well coordinated Portfolio Committee System

·        The establishment of the Liaison and Coordination Committee;

·        The opening up of Committees to the public and the conducting of public hearings

·        The establishment of Parliament Constituency Information Centres , PICICs

·        The launch of Outreach Programmes to schools.

Members will, therefore, be called upon to make meaningful contributions to the further implementation and consolidation of Parliamentary reforms.

Over the coming months you will be under obligation to set lasting standards of vision and purpose, of stimulating debate and discussion, not just for now but for future generations. I have trust in the good judgment of the Zimbabwean people.  I have faith in your commitment to their service.

Ladies and Gentlemen, from the commencement of the  Sixth Parliament, we should also be mindful of the numerous challenges that still face us as a nation, key among which is the eradication of poverty and amelioration of the living conditions of the poor and historically marginalized in our country.  There is the urgent need for Parliament as a vital component of the machinery of governance, to facilitate the attainment of socio-economic and development agenda, which the sovereign people of Zimbabwe mandated the government of the day, through the ballot box, to execute. 

Members of Parliament, as the people’s representatives, must, therefore, make meaningful inputs into strategies for the attainment of sustainable levels of socio-economic development that guarantee our people’s wellbeing and prosperity.

The experience of the last Parliament has provided an important and fundamental lesson for us.  We should be driven only by the paramount need for unity and singleness of purpose for the good of Zimbabwe.  Put differently, while there might be differences of opinion, these should never translate into antagonistic contradictions among us. Having subscribed to the oath of loyalty to Zimbabwe, we are duty bound to uphold the sanctity of the national interest and the sovereignty of Zimbabwe and use the institution of Parliament for the common good of those we represent.  Fighting between and among ourselves is not only suicidal but is a negation of the purpose of the Zimbabwean liberation struggle as well as a reversal of our achievements. It discredits the reputation of the institution of Parliament nationally, regionally and internationally.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Parliament, after all, is fundamentally about debate on key issues of national interest. It is also about the right to dissent in a civilized manner. Genuine political opposition is a necessary attribute of democracy, tolerance, and trust in the ability of citizens to resolve differences by peaceful means. In a democracy, it is accepted that the view of the minority is respected.  However, the views of the minority cannot subvert the views of the majority.   Thus the saying goes: While the opposition must have its say, the majority must have its way.

As Speaker, I shall strive to continue to build bridges as we continue on our journey towards entrenching democracy and the search for prosperity for our people.  In the execution of our duties, we should, therefore, be mindful of the fact that Parliament is the institution that embodies society in the diversity of its composition and opinion and which relays and channels this diversity in the political process. Its vocation is to regulate tensions and maintain equilibrium between the competing claims of diversity and uniformity, individuality and collectively, in order to enhance social cohesion and solidarity.

This Parliament must relentlessly and in unison strive to represent the interests of the Zimbabwean people, and set the agenda for development.  Equally, it must resist covert and overt attempts to pursue agendas set by outsiders. Indeed, we have witnessed concerted attempts in recent times by those who only yesterday were our colonisers to determine our destiny once again.  It is my hope that Parliament will resolutely resist such attempts in a non partisan manner.

It is, therefore, imperative in the national interest that both parties must find the best normal and working relationship. I, therefore, call for co-operation, consultation, compromise and consensus building between the parties represented in Parliament for this is the only way to ensure that the institution of parliament remains relevant, popular and operates for the benefit of the people. 

I also want to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Presiden, for articulating an explicit roadmap of the challenges this session of Parliament will have to address.

It is fitting, therefore, and a great pleasure for me to offer my best wishes to all of you who will be giving their service to the nation during the Sixth Parliament. 

Once again I congratulate you for attaining the highest honour of winning the people’s vote of confidence. I wish you good health, personal happiness and calm, constructive and creative labour. 

Allow me to propose a toast TO A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SESSION OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT

I thank you.