President Robert Mugabe has urged the newly sworn-in Cabinet ministers to be good and upright leaders committed to serving the people of Zimbabwe.

Addressing the newly sworn-in Cabinet ministers and senior members of the inclusive government at a luncheon at State House in Harare yesterday, Cde Mugabe said he is committed to the success of the inclusive government and urged all parties in the new government to get over their past quarrels and differences and build a Zimbabwe that has one national goal and one destiny.

The President said the journey that the inclusive government has embarked on should be a prosperous one and that it should be driven by the interests of the people.

He paid tribute to SADC for the assistance it rendered in facilitating the dialogue between Zimbabwe’s political parties through provision of the means and a facilitator in Cde Thabo Mbeki.

Cde Mugabe and his South African counterpart, President Kgalema Mohlante, paid special tribute to Cde Mbeki for his patience, quiet diplomacy, focus and resoluteness, saying despite attempts by some powers and individuals to usurp his role as mediator in the Zimbabwean dialogue, the former South African leader stood firm and conquered.

Some time last year an attempt was made to introduce a parallel initiative in the mediation process by way of bringing in UN Special Envoy Haile Menkerios and Group of Elders who included former US President, Jimmy Carter, Graca Machel and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan.

In his congratulatory speech at the occasion, SADC Chairman and South African leader, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe said SADC and Africa are proud of the historic moment in Zimbabwe.

President Mohlante said South Africa, SADC and the African Union are willing and ready to partner Zimbabwe in rebuilding its national economy.

He saluted Cde Mbeki for his tenacity and steadfastness in the negotiations.

President Motlanthe reiterated his call on the US, the UK and the EU to lift sanctions and allow Zimbabwe to revive its economy.

He expressed optimism that the inclusive government will usher in a new era of prosperity for all Zimbabweans.

The swearing-in ceremony marks the end of the SADC process of creating a power-sharing government in Zimbabwe.