Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira,Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S economy is exhibiting remarkable resilience despite the weight of illegal sanctions and the impact of climate change-induced natural disasters, President Mnangagwa has said, asserting that the Second Republic remains focused on economic transformation and development.
The President, who is also the Zanu-PF First Secretary, highlighted several milestones achieved in agriculture and infrastructure, and pointed to the introduction of the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency as a policy yielding positive results.
He made these remarks in his foreword to the Zanu-PF Central Committee Report presented at the 22nd National People’s Conference, which was subsequently adopted by the Conference in Mutare last week.
“In the face of challenges such as illegal sanctions imposed on our country, climate change-induced natural disasters, and global economic headwinds, our nation is demonstrating remarkable adaptability and resilience. I therefore applaud all Zimbabweans, including the security forces, for the prevailing peaceful, harmonious, and tranquil environment,” he said.
The President also highlighted the Government’s progress in economic transformation and infrastructure development.
“Our focus has remained firmly on economic transformation and development. We have made significant strides in agriculture, ensuring national food security and sovereignty. This has resulted in record harvests through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, massive irrigation development, and enhanced agricultural mechanisation.
“Measures to grow our economy and stabilise our currency, underpinned by the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold currency; are bearing positive results. This is being strengthened by our mineral wealth, as well as the positive performance of the productive sectors.”
He cited infrastructure projects such as the Trabablas Interchange in Harare as evidence of Zanu-PF and the Government’s commitment to economic progress.
“Infrastructure development and modernisation, empowerment of the youth and women, growth of small and medium enterprises, as well as the pursuit of regional integration initiatives, are testament to our party and Government’s commitment to economic progress.
“The completion of the Trabablas Traffic Interchange is not only for logistical convenience — easing the movement of goods and people — but also a symbol of what we, as Zimbabweans, can achieve in unity and with the use of our own local resources,” he said.
Zanu-PF, he said, will continue to demand accountability across all tiers of Government to uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
“We have embarked on a deliberate campaign to improve service delivery by ministries, departments, and agencies, including State-owned enterprises and local authorities. Our party and Government are holding everyone accountable. Citizens deserve clean water, efficient waste management, proper roads, as well as health and education services. There is no room for dereliction of duty. Wherever it manifests, we shall continue to demand corrective action to ensure value for money in the interests of the generality of our people,” he said.
President Mnangagwa reiterated his administration’s vision to become an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income economy by 2030, driven by innovation, science, technology, and skills development. He said Zanu-PF is also committed to tackling social ills such as drug and substance abuse, which threaten the national human capital base.
“We will continue to deploy multi-sectoral interventions, strengthen law enforcement, community awareness, rehabilitation, integration, and empowerment programmes for our young people. This must see our country’s citizens — the youth and women — playing their rightful and appropriate role towards national development.”
The President also called for sustained peace, unity, and social cohesion, urging the rejection of all forms of division based on political, religious, or tribal lines.
“Our engagement with an array of stakeholders across the socio-economic ecosystem, including faith institutions, has reaffirmed the utility of collaboration and partnerships, as well as the indivisible bond between spiritual guidance and ongoing national development,” he said.
The 22nd Zanu-PF National Conference ran from October 13 to 18. The official opening and closing ceremonies, held in Mutare last Friday and Saturday, attracted around 5 000 attendees and were seamlessly organised, with no chaos or long queues at entry points. Traffic also flowed relatively smoothly in town after the closing ceremony, despite Mutare’s small size and narrow roads.
