Online Reporter
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Editor’s Brief
On Friday Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube brought us the good news that the economy will this year achieve a 6,6 percent growth, up from a projected 6 percent. This will be the highest in the region!
It is no mean feat and Gross Domestic Product figures come from actual activity not random selection of numbers. Zimbabwe is at work.
The economy has really been on a roll and it’s there for all to see. Critics have often accused me of being too optimistic with not much to back my exuberance, but any one who pays attention to developments in the economy without pre-conceived notions, will see the infrastructure that has been put in place over the past few years.
Refurbishments of hospitals, dams, roads and road interchanges, airports, new domestic flights, record-breaking production figures in tobacco, increased investments in mining, manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors, company expansions and much, much more.
The agriculture and mining sectors are scoring big and exceeding expectations. The rising price of gold has had a positive impact on earnings, above all, the stability of the ZiG currency has meant stable prices and given meaning to predictability.
Establishments of Village Business Units have been a game-changer. Lives have been transformed in a big way.
Foreign investments have come in their numbers, creating jobs, wealth and substituting exports, among the many successes registered so far. Universities have become centres of excellence, churning out innovative services and products — answers that industry has been looking for.
In all this, the mantras introduced by President Mnangagwa have been real game changers.
Every entity, organisation and indeed country is essentially guided by underlying principles; often immutable; from which it derives direction; focus and traction.
So it is with Zimbabwe, the President conceived and consistently applies the mantras.
That something is often said does not in itself speak to its relevance, but the definitive factor lies in the veracity and resonance of the mantras on the ground as witnessed in this country.
The President put forth a number of mantras and these include;
- Nyika inovakwa inovakwa igonamatigwa nevene vayo.
- Zimbabwe is open for business.
- Leaving no one and no place behind
Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none.
Indeed the above are instructive. They have inculcated a sense of purpose and direction and this is working in Zimbabwe’s favour.
Let’s look at each one of them.
NYIKA INOVAKWA IGONAMATIGWA NEVENE VAYO (A country is developed and interceded for by its citizenry)
This emphasises the importance of participation by Zimbabweans in nation building. The country’s strength and progress depends on the active involvement of its people.
It is indeed you and me who can determine the shape, form and pace of Zimbabwe’s development.
The time for blame-shifting and always waiting for things to be done for us is long gone. We all need to take ownership and run with Project Zimbabwe.
It is tried and tested that home solutions are the best in taking the economy out of challenges onto a sustained growth path. Of course international trends, methods and FDI is critical, but we set the tempo as Zimbabweans.
So there is no room for anyone to be passive, lethargic or downright uninterested in how Project Zimbabwe pans out.
It is in this vein that the mantra Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo resonates with the realities of progressive nations.
Indeed we have seen some Zimbabweans stand out to facilitate and promote this country’s progress. That the Trabablas Interchange was build by local engineers who stepped to the plate is evidence that we can do it.
We have seen private individuals and firms partner Government in a number of sectors of the economy including health, agriculture, tourism and transport. That’s building the country.
Others have transformed lives through philanthropic work targeted at widows, orphans and other vulnerable members of society. Here the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa stands out. Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, she has brought hope and smiles to thousands of the underprivileged.
Furthermore, with her Gastronomy programme, she has put Zimbabwe on the global map, resulting in this country hosting the first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Victoria Falls last year.
The forum aimed to advance Gastronomy Tourism as a pillar for sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa, bringing together ministers, experts, and local communities to develop a common agenda for African gastronomy.
This is what we call leading from the front! She is making a huge impact in this country and beyond.
LEAVING NO ONE AND NO PLACE BEHIND
This mantra is premised on the inescapable need for inclusive growth.
The President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind finds incontestable evidence on the ground.
- Virtually all universities across the length and breadth of the country boast innovation hubs.
- Each and every province boasts vibrant youth programmes targeted at elevating the circumstances of the youth and proactively involving them in the economic sphere.
- Every area has village business units where the rural populace are running agricultural projects along commercial lines.
Provide employment
A number of social protection interventions are implemented more poignantly regards food security.
Road rehabilitation, dam construction and irrigation schemes are all expansive covering the sturdy of the country.
ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
We have witnessed increased investor interest in Zimbabwe over the past few years.
Foreign Direct Investment is on an upward trajectory. In our business section we report that Zimbabwe registered a 178,6 percent rise in projected investment value to US$10 billion between January and August this year.
The energy and mining sector top the list of investor interest.
A US$533 million railway infrastructure deal was advanced between Zimbabwe and China Railway International Group recently, involving the subsidiary TransTech Engineering Corporation, with the aim of revitalising the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and improving freight movement.
On its part, Mutapa Investment Fund is breathing life into a number of parastatals and State Owned Enterprises.
Measures are also being undertaken to ensure increased energy supply, a critical component for industry.
Investment processes are being streamlined while ambassadors have been mandated to sell the Zimbabwean brand to promote investment, business linkages, partnership and networks.
ZIMBABWE IS A FRIEND TO ALL AND AN ENEMY OF NONE
Under his engagement and re-engagement drive, President Mnangagwa has been on the offensive, engaging with many countries and bilateral and multilateral institutions.
This foreign policy has yielded results and is fast placing Zimbabwe on the world map.
The country has engaged most countries and is now in good books with most.
This has not only improved relations, but it has brought with it socio-economic benefits. The focus is on Zimbabwe and the possibilities there-in. Brand-Zimbabwe has been elevated and the curiosity about this country raised in this instance, has put business opportunities in this country under the spotlight.
To the outside world at some point, Zimbabwe had become synonymous with trouble and mediocrity, but that has since changed. International meetings are being hosted here while delegates to meetings outside are being treated with much respect. The Zimbabweans themselves have not disappointed. We have been equal to the task.
This stance by the Second Republic augurs well for this country as the world becomes a much closer global village where inter-dependence between nations and systems has become a determinant force in the development discourse.
The European Union has removed most sanctions while the United States appear to be taking a softer stance and intends to remove ZIDERA. On another front, the President recently completed a highly successful tenure as SADC chairman. This has endeared Zimbabwe to its peers in the region who no longer need any convincing that Zimbabwe is on a positive trajectory and really means business.
So yes, the mantras are not just neatly arranged well-sounding words. They have had a phenomenal impact on this country and even better results await Zimbabwe if we all play our part.
We have not done badly so far, but we can do more. It is possible to achieve double-digit GDP growth. It not even far-fetched. It is within reach. In God I Trust!
X handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.
