Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ZANU-PF Secretary General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, has said the people’s desire for President Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028 is real, and called for accelerated implementation of transformative projects to ensure solid fulfilment of his vision of an empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Different stakeholders have already endorsed the move to amend the Constitution of Zimbabwe following the gazetting of Amendment Bill Number 3 in mid-February, which proposes a Parliamentary process for the election of the President by a majority of the National Assembly and Senate sitting together, and replacing the current five-year term with a seven-year term, among others.
Speaking yesterday during a Zanu-PF Matabeleland South Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) meeting Adv Mudenda, who was accompanied by the party’s treasurer, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, and Secretary for War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Cde Douglas Mahiya, said Vision 2030 was not just a slogan but a practical step-by-step journey towards a better Zimbabwe.
He challenged the provincial party leadership to set up committees that supervise progress in the construction of the Gwanda State University and Gwanda Provincial Hospital, among other projects, working closely with different ministries to ensure timeous completion and attainment of Vision 2030.
“The theme that we are running with is that 2030, we want to see President Mnangagwa still in office. Let’s not just chant this slogan, but let’s work together to ensure that what we want to see His Excellency achieve by 2030 becomes a reality,” said Adv Mudenda.
Since assuming office in 2017, President Mnangagwa’s administration has brought about massive economic transformation and improved livelihoods anchored on comprehensive reforms. These have inspired “Resolution Number 1” — resoundingly endorsed by the majority at the Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in 2025 and 2024.
It is for this reason that provinces have endorsed the proposed Supreme Law amendments.
“We should know the projects being implemented in our province, their progress, and put the relevant authorities to task so that these projects are completed on time.
“In Matabeleland South, we have projects like the Gwanda State University and Gwanda Provincial Hospital. Let’s establish committees that will monitor these projects,” said Cde Mudenda.
“Let’s work with the relevant authorities and put them to task. Monitoring and evaluation of Government programmes and signature projects in the provinces is a core responsibility of provincial leaders.”
Yesterday’s meeting by the senior party leadership was part of an outreach programme across all 10 provinces in the country, and saw Adv Mudenda explaining the roles and responsibilities of the provincial coordination committee and provincial executive committee in line with the party’s constitution.
He also highlighted the significance of the committees in the province’s development and urged the provincial leadership to be guided by the National Development Strategy 2, a key development policy that builds momentum towards attainment of Vision 2030.
“Your leadership must, therefore, be anchored on the powers and functions of the PCC as provided for in Section 105 of the party Constitution, which provides as follows; “(1) to act as the Provincial Elections Directorate; (2) to monitor and recommend any political or development programmes and initiatives in the Province; (3) to foster an integrated approach to provincial issues between the party, Government and non-governmental organisations,” said Cde Mudenda.
“All members of the PCC must be innovative thought leaders capable of translating these broad powers into disaggregated programmes of action. Mastery of these responsibilities eliminates confusion, enhances efficiency and ensures that all programmes under Vision 2030 and NDS2 are implemented effectively for the benefit of the people.”
Adv Mudenda said leaders must be chosen because of the works they do and urged party cadres to work diligently so that the party and the country move forward. “Beyond administration, the PCC must assume a decisive leadership role in coordinating development at provincial level. There must be close, organic and structured coordination between the party, Government and all stakeholders,” said Adv Mudenda.
“This integrated approach ensures that every province advances a shared development agenda. The PCC must ensure equitable utilisation of natural resources in their province, timely implementation of projects and the delivery of tangible benefits to communities.”
In his remarks, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman, Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, expressed the province’s full support for the resolution to extend President Mnangagwa’s tenure in office beyond 2028. He said the meeting was an eye-opener and that the information shared will go a long way in developing the party at all levels.
“We are grateful as a province for the visit by the secretary of the party together with his high-powered delegation. They have shared valuable information with us and guidance on how we can strengthen the party,” he said.
“We have been challenged a lot as a province, and we take guidance; we are much richer now. The quality of our meetings will grow from strength to strength. We take this meeting seriously, and we shall deliberate on what has been shared with us.”
Cde Ndlovu said going forward, the information that has been shared will be disseminated across all districts and said he will ensure the province remains united and moves forward with development.
He said committees from districts right up to the provincial level will be expected to incorporate the strategies and expectations shared during the meeting in their operations.–-@DubeMatutu
