Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter LIEUTENANT-General (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe has saluted President Mnangagwa for appointing him Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister, describing his new assignment as a “special recognition”. The President swore in Lt-Gen (Rtd) Sanyatwe at State House in Harare yesterday at a ceremony attended by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi and senior Government officials. “Allow me first to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for appointing me as Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. It is indeed a great honour, a special recognition from His Excellency. In fact, I am also humbled with the confidence and trust that the President has accorded me to lead this special ministry,” said the former Zimbabwe National Army chief after being sworn in. Turning to his new mandate, Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd) said arts and culture were strong tools for national unity, youth empowerment as well as economic growth. The President swore in Lt-Gen (Rtd) Sanyatwe at State House in Harare yesterday at a ceremony attended by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi and senior Government officials. “It is with these that a nation is identified as our identity, our history as well as the aspirations of a nation. Given that background, it is my submission that I should by all means take on board all stakeholders as I embark on my new journey to lead this sector. “My mission therefore is to develop, to create as well as to promote all the aspects that go by our identity and where possible for it to be recognised locally and internationally. “We shall move together as a team as we move forward with a unity of purpose as I take up my new office as Minister,” said Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd). Turning to his new mandate, Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd) said arts and culture were strong tools for national unity, youth empowerment as well as economic growth. He succeeds International Olympic Committee (IOC) president-elect Dr Kirsty Coventry who was recently elected to the world’s most influential sports position. In his new role, Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd) is expected to address challenges bedevilling the sporting sector like the lack of infrastructure to host international sports competitions. As a result of a dearth of FIFA-certified stadia, national teams like the Zimbabwe senior national soccer team have resorted to playing their matches in other countries, and the coming in of Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd) is expected to add impetus to the ongoing upgrading of local facilities. Lt-Gen Sanyatwe (Rtd) is not the first military commander to be deployed to Government service by President Mnangagwa and his predecessors have inculcated a reputation of excellence in service of the country. He is expected to bring military discipline to the civil service and other positive attributes such as time consciousness, dedication to duty, fulfilment of obligations, respect and selfless service.