Online ReporterMacDenias Moyo
THE passing on of national hero, Ambassador Victor Matemadanda, who was laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on Friday was not merely the departure of a man.
It was the closing of a chapter written in the blood and sweat of patriots who stood firm when the nation was threatened by betrayal and treachery.
Ambassador Matemadanda was vilified by the G40 cabal since 2014 for his unwavering loyalty to President Mnangagwa, who at that time was Vice President to Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
He was a war veteran who carried the scars of liberation and a patriot who fought to give birth to the Second Republic. His life and struggle remind us that Operation Restore Legacy was not an accident of history but a prophetic act that has since unfolded into the restoration of Zimbabwe’s dignity and sovereignty.
The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has proven that the sacrifices of men like Ambassador Matemadanda were not in vain. It has restored sanity to governance and placed Zimbabwe firmly on the path of Vision 2030.
The Transitional Stabilisation Programme was the first pillar of this march. TSP was not a mere policy document but a battle plan to stabilise the economy, reform institutions and lay the foundation for growth. It sought to restore fiscal discipline, curb runaway expenditure and reassert the authority of the state in economic management. It was about rebalancing the budget, clearing arrears and creating a platform for re-engagement with the international community. Under TSP the country witnessed the restoration of macroeconomic stability, the taming of inflation and the strengthening of public finance management. It was the crucible in which the Second Republic forged credibility and discipline.
From TSP the nation moved into the National Development Strategy 1. NDS1 was comprehensive in scope and ambitious in vision. It sought to accelerate growth, create jobs and transform the economy into a diversified and resilient engine. Its pillars included economic growth and stability, governance reforms, social protection, infrastructure development and value addition.
Under NDS1 Zimbabwe saw the expansion of mining with new ventures such as the Arcadia Lithium Mine and the expansion of platinum operations by Zimplats and Unki. Agriculture was revived through Command Agriculture and Pfumvudza which restored food security and empowered rural households. Industry began to rise from the ashes with new investments in steel, cement and manufacturing. SMEs flourished under supportive policies and the ease of doing business reforms which abolished unnecessary levies and slashed fees. Healthcare was strengthened with new clinics and hospitals built across provinces. Infrastructure was transformed with thousands of kilometres of roads resurfaced under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. Dams like Gwayi-Shangani and bridges across major rivers were constructed. Schools were built and refurbished. Tourism was revived with Victoria Falls designated a financial hub and new lodges and resorts established.
NDS2 has now taken the baton and is driving the nation closer to Vision 2030. It promises deeper industrialisation, greater value addition and broader social transformation. Already we see the fruits in energy sufficiency with Hwange Units 7 and 8 feeding into the national grid and solar plants established across provinces. Power outages are now a relic of the past. Fuel shortages have not been experienced since 2017. Inflation has been tamed and the prices of basic commodities have remained stable for years.
The Government has facilitated the ease of doing business by removing barriers and creating a friendly environment for investors. Mining policies now emphasise beneficiation and value addition ensuring that Zimbabwe does not merely export raw minerals but processes them for greater value. The re-engagement drive has opened Zimbabwe to the world. We are no longer a pariah. The UNSC vote and recognition by international bodies testify to our restored legitimacy. Black-owned businesses have multiplied across the country. The National Youth Employment Strategy continues to empower young people with skills and opportunities.
CAB3 is poised to transform institutions and reform political and electoral systems, ensuring that democracy is strengthened and governance renewed.
The achievements of the Second Republic are visible in every sector. Mining has grown with gold output reaching record levels and new ventures in lithium and chrome. Agriculture has been revived with wheat production making Zimbabwe self-sufficient and maize harvests ensuring food security. Industry has expanded with new factories in steel, cement and textiles. SMEs have flourished with support from government programmes. Healthcare has improved with new hospitals and clinics. Infrastructure has been transformed with roads, bridges and dams. Transportation has been modernised with new buses and rehabilitated rail lines. Tourism has been revived with new resorts and increased arrivals. Poverty has been alleviated through social protection programmes and empowerment initiatives. Energy sufficiency has been achieved with new power stations and solar plants. The economy has stabilised with inflation tamed and prices stable. The ease of doing business has been facilitated with levies abolished and fees slashed. Re-engagement has restored Zimbabwe’s place in the world. CAB3 promises to reform politics and institutions. Vision 2030 is no longer a dream but a reality unfolding before our eyes.
As we remember Ambassador Matemadanda, we see that Operation Restore Legacy was prophetic. It was the act that birthed the Second Republic and set Zimbabwe on the path of restoration. Ambassador Matemadanda stood firm against the G40 cabal and defended the legacy of the liberation struggle. He was loyal to President Mnangagwa and loyal to the vision of a sovereign Zimbabwe. His life reminds us that patriotism is not a slogan but a sacrifice.
The Second Republic has restored our legacy as a country. It has delivered progress under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa. It has been proven that those who supported Operation Restore Legacy were prophetic. Ambassador Matemadanda’s passing is a reminder that the struggle continues but the path is clear. Zimbabwe is rising. The legacy is restored. The prophecy is fulfilled.
