25 April 2008
Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Friday stressed the role played by technical, professional and higher education in job creation, in promoting health and hygiene, and in lifting production which in turn can lead to reduced prices.
On the last day of his "Open Presidency" in Maputo, Guebuza addressed a mass rally in the outer suburb of Jorge Dimitrov warning that without improved education it would be impossible to combat poverty.
"We cannot do away with poverty without university or technical education, because it is in these universities and schools that people learn the strategies for attacking poverty", he declared.
He told the crowd that, in its efforts against poverty, the government had suffered "provocations" which sought to divert it from its path - clearly a reference to the February riots against higher passenger transport fares, caused by fuel price increases.
"Our central goal is to fight against poverty, and so we should not deviate from our path and resort to violence", he urged. "Violence does not build anything. It is through dialogue and through work that poverty can be eliminated". Destruction of property, and attacks on vehicles or shops (events that occurred during the rioting in Maputo on 5 February) would merely hold back the struggle against poverty.
Guebuza recalled that for 16 years the war of destabilisation (which ended in 1992) had brought destruction and mourning to Mozambican families. Instead of violence, citizens should be committed to the construction of houses, roads or new factories. "This is what brings wealth", he said.
The President urged young people in particular to make use of all resources at their disposal to produce, since it is not merely employment in the formal sector, but also self-employment that is a weapon against poverty.
When members of the audience presented their concerns to Guebuza, several stressed the rising cost of living, citing in particular rises in the price of rice, wheat and other basic foodstuffs.
Guebuza replied that rising food prices, like rising fuel prices, were a global phenomenon. Nonetheless he thought there could be local solutions that would minimize the difficulties. In particular, the country should produce more of its own food, rather than relying on imports.
"We can produce wheat, rice and potatoes for our own consumption, and stop buying them from other countries", he said. "Our country has plenty of land, water and people. We can produce if we work seriously. We just have to change our attitude and embrace development".
Guebuza's "Open Presidency" will take him to all 11 provinces. Next week, he will tour the north of the country, starting in Nampula province.
Sam/pf (446)
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