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Fungi Kwaramba in GWERU
ZIMBABWE cannot afford to undertake its national development programmes at a snail’s pace, but must sharpen its strategies to accelerate the implementation of people-oriented development, President Mnangagwa has said.
Officially opening the 20th Zanu PF Annual National People’s Conference here yesterday, President Mnangagwa said to leapfrog development, the country must continue to deliver solution-based leadership by embracing modernisation and industrialisation through optimum exploitation of the country’s resources like minerals for the benefit of the general populace.
Although the country has been groaning under the burden of unjustified and illegal economic sanctions for over two decades now, the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has turned the country’s fortunes for the better through inward-looking policies.
The President said the country, which recently triumphed against Western machinations in the August harmonised elections, must consolidate gains registered in key sectors of mining and agriculture.
“The ever-changing socio-economic and political challenges, together with the illegal sanctions on our country, should never discourage us. We must defend and consolidate the notable achievements of our great country in honour of the departed heroes of our country, some of whom never lived to see our hard-won independence, freedom, and democracy.
“As such, this conference is not business as usual. We must re-examine ourselves, build on our party’s strength, address our weaknesses, and sharpen strategies to accelerate the implementation of our people-centred development policies, projects, and programmes”.
The conference is being held under the theme, “Towards Vision 2030, through Devolution, Industrialisation, and Modernisation”, and provides a platform for Zanu PF and its various structures to take stock of progress achieved thus far and proffer solutions to the Government in the true sense of the dictum, party is supreme over Government.
“The theme and composition of this 20th National People’s Conference compels us all to thoroughly consider and proffer pro-people policies.
“As Zimbabweans, we cannot afford to undertake our national development programmes at a snail pace. Our country has already been robbed of time for development, due to the 23 years of sanctions. We must never bury our heads in the sand.
“Let us, therefore, continue to guarantee successes in agriculture and food security, mining, manufacturing and tourism, among other sectors. The last five years have shown what we can achieve as a people, when we are peaceful, united and hard-working,” President Mnangagwa said. Zimbabwe, which a few years ago used to be an importer of cereals, is now, for the first time in over two decades, exporting to neighbouring countries following a raft of interventions by the Second Republic like agriculture mechanisation which led to successive bumper harvests.
In the mining sector, the country has already met its target to become a US$12 billion mining industry by 2025, and the President yesterday said despite this life-changing milestone, the ruling party will continue pushing for value addition, beneficiation as well as support for small-scale miners so that Zimbabweans realise maximum benefits from their God-given natural resources.
The President, who was accompanied by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Zanu PF National Chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and the party’s senior leadership, said Zanu PF had embraced modernisation and taken it to colleges where students were leading in innovations at industrial parks and innovation hubs.
“Riding on the successful Devolution and Decentralisation Agenda, greater attention should be paid to driving modernisation and industrialisation, right from the grassroots level.
“Rural industrialisation and the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sector, as the vehicle for the modernisation and growth of the economy, is also critical.
“In this regard, we must take full advantage of the ongoing science, technology and innovation revolution as well as our domestic resources, diverse skills and entrepreneurial mindset, especially among our young talented people”.
The President said guided by the country’s “Yes We Can” spirit that is embodied in the national development philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo; ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” all Zimbabweans, whether home or abroad must put shoulder to the wheel to build and develop Zimbabwe.
“We must never look back. Against all odds and the ill-wishes of our detractors, Zimbabwe irikuramba ichingofamba; tichibudirira, tichishandura hupenyu hwevanhu vekwedu. This is what we will continue to do as Zanu PF”.
Already, the President, whose Government has introduced life-changing programmes through the construction of roads and dams in every part of the country, in the spirit of “leaving no one and no place behind”, has achieved milestones that have confounded even the country’s fiercest critics.
Still, President Mnangagwa said there is more work ahead in the journey to transform Zimbabwe towards its vision to become an upper-middle-class economy.
“Particular emphasis is being placed on the empowerment of women and the youth as they are critical to the realisation of the country’s vision.
“As such, the Party ensured the inclusion of a 30 percent women’s quota in Local Authorities and 10 Youth Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. This new reality must translate into more inclusive policies and programmes that advance the needs and concerns of women and the young.
“Zanu PF is walking the talk and leaving no one and no place behind in our country’s development and governance systems,” said the President.
Online Reporter