Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Senior Writer
RELIGIOUS bodies drawn from across the country, and business sector representatives have applauded the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa for delivering massive development transformation through hard work since its inception in 2017.
The gains realised under the National Development Strategy (NDS1: 2020-2025, now transitioning into NDS 2, were anchored on a winning doctrine of inclusive indigenous self-propulsion fuelled by local resources and efforts mobilised by Zimbabweans despite economic sanctions.
This is contained in a declaration adopted by the Church, affirming what they described as a robust state of national restoration in Zimbabwe in the last eight years.
The declaration was issued at the “9th National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service” held in Bulawayo and is titled “The Churches Declaration of a Robust State of Restoration Throughout the Nation of Zimbabwe Since 2017.” Acting President Kembo Mohadi officially opened the event yesterday.
Faith for the Nation Campaign founder and chairperson Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe read the declaration, which has been unanimously adopted by the convocation of churches.
“The Convocation unanimously adopted the following Declaration to be known as ‘The Churches Declaration of a Robust State of Restoration Throughout the Nation of Zimbabwe Since 2017’”, he said.
The churches said the declaration was being presented not only to Zimbabweans but also to the international community.
The declaration notes that the Church has consistently played a critical role in praying for the nation during difficult periods in its history.
“This Declaration also takes serious note of the fact that throughout years of hardship, conflict and privations in various aspects of the nation, the Church has steadfastly looked to Almighty God in prayer and faith for National Healing and Restoration, calling upon all to have faith for the Nation,” said Rev Wutawunashe.
“We now see the evident Restoration in many aspects of the nation as an answer to prayer and a fulfilment of prophecies of pleasant outcomes that have continually been uttered concerning Zimbabwe.
“As the people of Zimbabwe we should, therefore, count our blessings and desist from misleading postures trying to claim any form of national decline.”
According to the declaration, during the ongoing tenure of President Mnangagwa, the country has experienced sustained restoration across multiple sectors.
“The Declaration said during the ongoing tenure of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has experienced a sustained period of restoration in all aspects, spiritual, social, political and most markedly economic,” it reads.
“It is common cause that the country was for years suffering severe privations in practically every field with such necessities as fuel, groceries, essential machinery and vital commodities becoming difficult to access, leading to painful distortions in the marketplace.
“The country’s infrastructure was falling apart and the roads had become almost universally unnavigable.”
The declaration reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to national unity, prayer and continued engagement in Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, calling upon citizens to embrace faith, gratitude and collective responsibility for the nation’s future.
Rev Wutawunashe said the successes witnessed in Zimbabwe have confounded its critics as the country was forging ahead in many areas, including providing globally acknowledged leadership when the existential threat of Covid-19 shook the world to its core.
“That acknowledgement of our Creator, furthermore, resonated well with the overwhelming majority of Zimbabwe’s citizens, whose appreciation of a leadership that acknowledges the God they worship is self-evident,” he said.
“When leaders and those they lead agree on such fundamental principle, peace and harmony prevail over more adverse human impulses.”
The declaration also highlighted economic progress under the Second Republic, which Rev Wutawunashe said should inspire giving glory and thanksgiving to God.
“Likewise we acknowledge and affirm with gratitude the remarkable and determined multifaceted initiatives spearheaded by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa under the banner of Vision 2030.
“Through sheer and unrelenting hard work since the inception of the Second Republic in 2017, he and his team have delivered through National Development Strategy 1 outstanding National development in all fields, which is now transitioning into National Development Strategy 2, the final march to the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
“All this has been accomplished through a winning doctrine of inclusive indigenous self-propulsion fuelled by resources and efforts mobilised by Zimbabweans themselves, even in the face of unjust economic sanctions.
Citing food security programmes and agricultural transformation, the Church said basic human needs were being addressed through robust, Government-led programmes that empower citizens to produce essential crops beyond mere subsistence.
“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is a clear winner in that regard as are the various schemes introduced to popularise animal husbandry.
“Wheat production has steadily crept up to self-sufficiency and brought into sight the prospect of exporting this vital grain,” reads the declaration.
“Water bodies have been built in many places to counter droughts brought by climate change. That is good news.
“We are witnessing the beneficial impact of the Government’s highway projects, not only in terms of ease of transit, but also in creating employment and new commercial activities along the highways.”
The Church also noted the positive impact of new policies in the mining sector such as the insistence on beneficiation and value addition in particular, for ensuring optimised benefit to the country.
“Foreign investment as well as tourist influx are on the upward march. That is good. Direct intervention by the Head of State in diagnosing and remedying problems faced by public health institutions testify to good stewardship.
“The Government’s Education 5.0, a pivot away from unproductive rote learning to practical, industrialising and market-facing pedagogy, holds promise for the future of our economy, as we cease to be mere consumers and increasingly become creators. That is very good,” it noted.
The churches said the country was being guided by clear plans hence the progress made under NDS1 is there for all to see with commitment to its successor, NDS2, most encouraging.
“We the churches pledge our continuing support to these plans, that are designed to deliver on the promises of Vision 2030 as articulated by President Mnangagwa.
“Our pledge is not only to pray, which we shall continue to do, but to also actively rally our congregations to put their shoulders to the wheel and play their part in the implementation of national programmes,” reads the declaration.
“We thank God for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the team he assembled to lead the Second Republic and for their visible commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation.
“We pray that the Lord continues to give them the wisdom and strength to continue to fight for Zimbabwe’s prosperity, so that our beloved motherland, which the President has declared to be a friend to all and an enemy to none, takes her rightful place in the comity of nations.”
