Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira and Joseph Madzimure
GOVERNMENT must keep listening to the people, as they expect it to deliver policies that put their welfare and needs at the core of national development, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President, who is also Zanu PF First Secretary, said this yesterday while addressing the 132nd Ordinary Session of the revolutionary party’s Central Committee at the party headquarters in Harare.
“The people expect the Party and its Government to listen, act and deliver. They expect policies that place their welfare at the centre of national development. Above all, they expect us to remain faithful to the values that fuelled our armed liberation struggle on the firm foundation towards our political and economic sovereignty as well as sustainable prosperity for all,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the confidence in Zanu PF, as shown through the passage of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No 3, was an expression of trust by party members and the people at large.
The Act extended the term of the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years and conferred on Parliament, sitting as an electoral college, the right to elect a President.
“We have an obligation to continually raise the quality of servant leadership, accountability, discipline and integrity, for the betterment of our nation’s governance culture,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Our political stewardship must be measured by better livelihoods, expanded opportunities, world-class infrastructure, productive communities and a more secure future for every Zimbabwean, in every Ward, District and Province.”
He said national development was not the responsibility of Government alone.
“However, national development cannot be the responsibility of Government alone. This requires a Whole-of-Government-and-Society Approach. Each Province and District must, therefore, identify its opportunities and challenges and develop practical solutions suited to its circumstances,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa addresses the 132nd Ordinary Session of the Central Committee yesterday. — Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara.
“This will in turn nurture vibrant provincial economies, which advance prosperity through the exploitation of local resources abundant in each province. Comrades, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle remain central to the national development agenda.”
He said the party had a duty to ensure that youths knew the country’s history as the nation moves towards Vision 2030.
“The current crop of young people should, therefore, defend the gains of the liberation struggle through knowledge acquisition, innovation, sustained patriotism, increased productivity and profound service,” said President Mnangagwa.
The party, he said, must build a modern and responsive Zanu PF that embraces research, innovation and new technologies, while remaining firmly anchored in the party’s revolutionary ideology and values.
“It is in this spirit that the visit by Politburo Members to the University of Zimbabwe on a tour of Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks is pleasing,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said preparations for the 23rd National People’s Conference, to be hosted by Mashonaland West Province, are gathering momentum.
The conference will be held under the theme: “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Empowerment towards Vision 2030.”
The conference, the President said, will allow the party to take stock, correct where necessary and refocus on collective party priorities.
“It is my expectation that the resolutions and decisions formulated by our provincial structures have been thorough, honest and rooted in the aspirations and concerns of our members and the people we serve,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Office of the Secretary General, in liaison with the Office of the President and Cabinet, was called upon to coordinate the full implementation of previous conferences and congress resolutions across both party and Government structures.
“Given the party’s supremacy over Government, officials deployed by Zanu PF must faithfully implement party policies, programmes and Resolutions,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended party structures for meeting financial obligations for the successful hosting of the Conference, saying it showed members’ commitment to the party.
Turning to this year’s agricultural season, President Mnangagwa said the ZANU PF Government was implementing mitigating measures ahead of the forthcoming 2026/2027 summer cropping season, which is expected to be characterised by low rainfall.
He noted that these include early warning systems, grain security measures, support for vulnerable communities, expanded irrigation, and preparedness for future climatic shocks.
“No Zimbabwean should go hungry. No community should face the consequences of climate change impact alone,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said the Government is intensifying water harvesting, irrigation development schemes, research into drought-resistant crops and the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
President Mnangagwa said climate-proofing agriculture is no longer optional but a critical national priority.
“Our economy continues to show resilience and growth across key sectors.
Zanu PF First Secretary and President Cde Mnangagwa and his Vice Presidents Cdes Constantino Chiwenga (left) and Kembo Mohadi sing the National Anthem at the 132nd Ordinary Session of the Central Committee at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare yesterday.
“The improving macro-economic environment and people-centred policies of our Zanu PF-led Government are creating a firmer foundation for sustainable development.
“In mining, investment and exploration are increasing while the value-addition and beneficiation agenda continues to gain momentum, more so that our raw materials will be processed locally.
“This will see us create employment, retain value and enhance our economic sovereignty.”
President Mnangagwa said the mantra, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business,” together with the “Engagement and Re-Engagement Policy,” continue to bear fruit.
He said Zimbabwe had done well on the international front, the most notable being its leadership of SADC as Chairperson.
Later this month, Zimbabwe will be hosting the COMESA Summit where it will assume the chairmanship, with preparations already at an advanced stage.
“Our Chairmanship must be used to promote practical cooperation as well as unlock economic opportunities across Eastern and Southern Africa for Zimbabwean citizens and businesses.
“It must also give industry players the opportunity to upscale the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) agreement within and among the COMESA countries.”
On his participation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the President said it provided a crucial platform to present Zimbabwe’s national position and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to multilateralism, peaceful coexistence and the sovereign right of every nation to determine its own development destiny.
“I conveyed Zimbabwe’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the international community in pursuit of sustainable development, investment, technology transfer, climate action and improved livelihoods for our people.
“I, further underlined the need for a fairer and more representative global order that responds to the aspirations of developing countries in the global south,” he said.
Central Committee ordinary meetings are held every quarter and yesterday’s gathering was crucial in that it was held ahead of the party’s conference.
The event was attended by the two Vice Presidents, Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Dr Kembo Mohadi, ZANU PF Politburo members and provincial party chairpersons, among others.
