Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s acceptance speech at the occasion of his receipt of an Honorary Doctorate from Sun Moon University, Seoul South Korea.
23rd February 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Sun Moon University does me a great honour in conferring upon me this honorary doctorate. It therefore gives me great pleasure to be the recipient of this honorary degree.
I accept this honorary degree as a great honour, not only for myself, but for the entirety of the people of Zimbabwe as well.
To be the person that I am today is not simply down to luck or individual effort but it is because of the people around me. Where I come from, we live by the basic ideal of Ubuntu or Hunhu, which essentially says, “I am because you are”. It is a basic principle which encapsulates the African spirit that one’s humanity is inextricably connected to the other’s humanity. It is the foundational principle of building a decent society and confirms the dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of their station in life.
Without the work and efforts of the people of Zimbabwe, I would not be standing here, awaiting receipt of this prestigious honour. This recognition is therefore their award – indeed, our award, and I am a mere agent receiving it on their behalf.
As a national leader in Zimbabwe as well as the leader of a democratic movement and the largest political party in the country, I indeed feel deeply honoured by this great recognition and reception you have given me today.
As a country, we have seen our fair share of challenges during the course of our history. For more than a decade, the beautiful name of our country became soiled and has been in the news for the wrong reasons. I must pay tribute to the people of Zimbabwe, who have been patient, resilient and persistent in their pursuit of the good cause of democratic governance.
Words cannot express enough of my personal gratitude to the people of Zimbabwe who have stood by me and the party that I lead, the Movement for Democratic Change, through years of great challenges.
We have stood steadfast by our principle to pursue our cause of democratic reform through peaceful and non-violent means.
Where others in similar circumstances might have been forced to use forceful means and violence, we have remained true to our word, believing that peaceful means are the ultimate agents of sustainable transformation.
I mention this because I know that one of the great values of this University is peace. In preaching and spreading the gospel of peace, the Founding Father of this University and the Universal Peace Federation, Rev Dr Sun Myung Moon, left a great legacy for the world.
In Zimbabwe, we are in the final stages of writing a new Constitution, which, we hope, will shape and transform the political culture of our country. It has taken long to achieve this goal but we are pleased that we have managed to persuade even our political opponents that constitutional reform is critical to the democratisation and development of our country.
We believe, through this new covenant between the political leaders and the people of Zimbabwe, that where there was lawlessness, there will be the Rule of Law and that where there was violence, there will be peace.
We hope to move away from a culture of impunity to a culture of constitutionalism; where political leaders, institutions and governmental power are limited by law; indeed, where the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people are respected and protected.
I have read and understand that the founding ideal of Sun Moon University to be “Love for God, People and Nation”.
I understand that this ideal is the foundation for the ultimate goals of education in Korea, namely, to construct one’s character, to raise the quality of the democratic citizen, to pursue a humane life, to contribute to developing a democratic country and to realise ideals of human prosperity.
I find this ideal hugely inspirational. To say, “Love God, Love Humanity and Love Your Country” is to inspire people to build a culture of service to humanity and The Almighty. I wish to carry these words back to Zimbabwe, for they carry great wisdom that will inspire us as we begin the work of rejuvenating our country after years of political, social and economic challenges.
We have already made it clear in our new Constitution, that not only the state but every person, including corporate institutions must promote national unity, peace and stability.
The state is also required to take all practical measures to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people. Citizens have a duty to be loyal to the country and to observe and respect the constitution and its ideals.
For the first time in our history, in addition to civil and political rights, the socio-economic rights are protected under the constitution. These include the rights to education, health care, shelter, safe environment, food and water. We recognise these rights because their realisation protects and enhances basic human dignity which is fundamental for the happiness of individuals and society at large.
We aspire to build a society in which the basic ideal and objective of public administration is to selflessly serve the people.
We want to raise children who appreciate the goodness of service to the public and to the nation; people who appreciate that in all their endeavours, what is fundamental is to give more to others as opposed to merely expecting more and more from others.
I believe most sincerely, that power should not be individualised but rather, that power should be institutionalised. Only when we create credible and responsible institutions can we cultivate a culture of good governance and accountability.
This is why we have ensured that the new constitution articulates the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances between arms of the state and its institutions. It also explains why we have an entire chapter dedicated to principles of public administration and leadership.
Finally, I am most humbled by the honour that has been bestowed upon me and the people of Zimbabwe. I come from a society which places high value on education and naturally, I am pleased when my own work to serve the country and its people get recognised by institutions of higher learning in countries around the world. It gives us hope that our efforts as a people are not in vain.
Such recognition says to us that the entire universe is conspiring to assist us in the realisation of our destiny. I am grateful to the people of Korea for their kindness and support shown through the conferment of this honour.
I remain greatly inspired people like Reverend Dr Sun Myung Moon, whose work and life across continents continue to impact positively on the lives of millions of others in the world.
Once again, I am most humbled by the gesture that has been shown to me and to the people of Zimbabwe by the award of this prestigious honour.
Thank you
M.R. Tsvangirai
Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
22 Replies to “FULL TEXT: Tsvangirai Speech In South Korea”
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Dr R M Tsvangirai ahoy!!
Unoreva Psychology vezvimazino zvakashata kunge pambare here uyu?
Iwe Gomo, when you vote for fools and idiots in office,thats what you get,enjoy your godzwa in your drinking water.All local authorities are managed by the party you cherish so much and instead of them giving you quality services you drink crushed dhodhi rako in water,kikikikikikikiki! your councillors are corrupt to the marrow a fact which Chimatama and others of your party of sexcellence have acknowledged. I hope next time you will vote wisely. Zvimwe zvinoda chikoro kwete zvidzoyi zvenyu. Iam sure you can now see the relevance of degrees.
Ana Miki kani! rwendo rwuno muchamama. Degree or not ichadyiwa harahwa. Votes count especially mauraya kamwana kaMaisiri…mapfuuridza!
@Bla Miki – uri benzi. Uya hlanya. You fawn over Zvobgo’s degree(s) from the West. Without colonialism vobgo would never have got any degrees. Zvaakenge ane ma degree, Zvobgo chii chakazoita chinoshamisa? Do mamwe ma degree asina chaanoreva kunge ma degree a Mugabe asina chaanobatsira. Vanhu varikuko tambura asi Mugabe ane ma degree. Tirikunwa mvura yakasangana ne sewage waste asi pana leader ane ma degree. Idiot
Swangilai should be arrested for fraud, impersonating doctors n lowering their reputation
You are turning dark green with envy you Neanderthal grand sons,Chando, Naked and Bla Miki.whats u gonna do? Absolutely not-a-thing The man is unstoppable.even your boss at one stage had the audacity to tell the whole world that he had no time with tea boys.guess who ate a humble pie in its lumbs.dont underestimate the power of people.again le boss once said seating on the same table with Chematama is waste of time.a thing that he vowed he will never do.you can tell lies to yous wives not to us.Some of us knows the history of this country over and above we cant be fooled with low life punkies like Bra Miki et al who i guess is Psychology who? a man trying to defend undefandables.Viva Dr R Tsvangirai!
Wel done SAVE. Rambai makashinga tinosvika chete.
Cde Miki, he went further and said “Manje kwedu kwa Zvobgo tikavesa moto nema graduation gowns mabhonzo arikubikwa muhari anotoibva”
Ki ki ki ki ki ki ki ki, am reminded of a speech by the late hero, Cde Edson Zvobgo at a graduation ceremony. He said, and l quote, “….pano ndashamiswa zvikuru kunzwa kuti mwana kana agrajuweta anoitirwa mabiko mombe ichitourayiwa. Zvino kwedu dai vaidero mombe hadzisi dzaipera here”. He went on to challenge those parents at that gathering whose children had managed at least a first degree and thirty women raised their hands. Those whose children have masters’ degrees and twelve women raised their hands. Those with doctorates, eight raised their hands. Those with phd from Havard University and two women raised their hands. Lastly he asked those with children who taught at Harvard University and an elderly woman rose up upon which Cde Zvobgo declared, “thats my mother!” In Mahumanikwa village, Buhera, some wrinkled and shrinking woman does not know her stupid son, after dropping school in grade five preferring to become a tea maker, is now a graduate, because he is not.
Nxa, yi rubbish ke leyodwa.
Uzonya sihlama, we will not stop commenting on Dr. Tsvangirai’s achievements because of a worm-eating legion of demons!
wow. this is good. SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A least Chando Kupisa China dog commented better than those 3 idiots,next idiots pliz
3 idiots have commented no this rubbish,next idiots pliz
kikikikikiki,mavhoko ayiverenga ndiyani akamunyorera anoziva zvazvinoreva here?
Congratulations once more Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and thanks for your humble speech, an honour to you is indeed an honour to all peace-loving, prosperity-seeking and downtrodden Zimbabwean folk, who yearn for peace, love, harmony and prosperity. Your fight is their fight, your honour is their honour. Those in the so-called “green party” must be turning a very dark green with envy!
No comment tichataura paVote.
Naked dog you are really an idiot just like you puppy dumigognyana. Any sane person can tell that yes our prime minister has matured over the years in diplomacy and in speeches. This is great Dr Tsvangirai. You put focus off yourself and focus on Zimbabwe and its people who really made you who you are today.You by far excel Mugabe who just focus on Tonny Blair and the Americans in his speeches. We dont dont even talk of Welshman. He always focuses on Tsvangirai in his speeches! You are a great leader Dr. Keep it up and we are with you till the end of a tunnel!
Ki ki ki ki.
Mfana Nakedmbwà u hv read the speach now u are barking.You wr usd to offtopic speaches from matibili who sometimes divert to barking at the West even pachurch.Morgiza is now ready 4 presidency.
From carpenter to Dr Swangilai, only idiots will read his rubbish n comment afterwards nxa!