Online Reporter
Zimpapers Politics Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s long-standing call that “Nyika Inovakwa neVene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” is not merely a political slogan but a development philosophy anchored in responsibility, ownership and patriotism which is a clarion call to all patriotic citizens to build their country to achieve an Upper-Middle Income economy by 2030
The recent pledge by 19 patriotic businesspeople to provide monthly financial support to ZANU PF, following an interactive engagement with the President Mnangagwa and party Treasurer General, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, represents a concrete response to that call. It marks a transition from abstract endorsement of national development to structured, deliberate participation in the political and economic processes driving Vision 2030, Zimbabwe’s aspiration to become an Upper Middle Income economy.
President Mnangagwa’s closed-door interactive meeting with business leaders drawn from across the political and economic divide signals an evolution in the relationship between the ruling party and local capital. The participation of business figures from Harare, Bulawayo and other provinces demonstrates national breadth and goodwill.
The commitment by 19 businesspeople to a monthly, coordinated sponsorship initiative, overseen by the ZANU PF Treasurer-General, moves party funding away from sporadic contributions toward predictable, institutionalised support. This structured mobilisation aligns with ZANU PF’s role as the ruling party charged with implementing Government policy and steering the national development agenda.
“Nyika Inovakwa neVene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo”
President Mnangagwa has, on numerous public occasions, including national development addresses and policy pronouncements, reiterated the philosophy “Nyika Inovakwa neVene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo.” The phrase, quoted verbatim, encapsulates his insistence that Zimbabwe’s development must be driven primarily by its own citizens, resources and ideas rather than outsourced solutions.
The pledge by these businesspeople reflects direct alignment with that philosophy. In choosing to support the ruling party financially, they are not merely backing a political organisation but investing in the policy framework, institutional stability and developmental vision being implemented by the Second Republic.
Business support to the ruling party: Why it matters
In political economies worldwide, ruling parties play a decisive role in shaping the policy environment in which businesses operate. Supporting the party in Government is therefore not an act of charity but a strategic investment in governance continuity, policy coherence and national stability.
ZANU PF, as the party in Government, is at the centre of implementing National Development Strategies (NDS), infrastructure roll-out, industrial revival and economic reforms.
Business participation through funding strengthens the party’s organisational capacity, enabling it to mobilise communities, communicate policy and maintain political stability, conditions essential for sustained economic growth.
President Mnangagwa’s development thrust is anchored on National Development Strategies, designed to modernise and industrialise Zimbabwe. A defining feature of these strategies is the President’s inward focus for solutions, deliberately positioning local companies at the forefront of flagship projects.
Many of the same businesspeople who pledged support are already embedded in Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, like Central Committee member and business mogul Cde Dr Kuda Tagwirei, participating in energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure and manufacturing value chains. Their political support therefore compliments their economic involvement, reinforcing a mutually reinforcing cycle of policy formulation, implementation and investment.
Lessons from the World and Africa: Patriotism builds nations
History offers compelling evidence that patriotic businesspeople have been central to national development. In South Korea, industrialists such as Lee Byung-Chul of Samsung partnered closely with the state to drive rapid industrialisation. In Japan, the Keiretsu system aligned private capital with national priorities.
Closer to home, Ethiopia leveraged local conglomerates during its infrastructure boom, while Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery was supported by disciplined collaboration between Government and domestic entrepreneurs. In Nigeria, figures like Mr Aliko Dangote invested heavily in local industry, transforming cement and refining capacity while working within national policy frameworks.
These examples demonstrate that when businesspeople act patriotically and align with state objectives, nations accelerate development.
While financial contributions are critical, national development is not built on money alone. The liberation struggle itself was sustained by diverse forms of contribution, some citizens composed songs, created dances, offered food, shelter, intelligence and moral support to freedom fighters.
Similarly today, patriotism can be expressed through skills transfer, innovation, ethical business practices, mentorship, job creation, volunteerism and moral leadership. The 19 businesspeople have set a powerful example, and others, professionals, workers, artists, farmers and youth, can take a leaf by contributing in ways aligned to their capacities.
Economic reforms under President Mnangagwa: Tangible Outcomes
The Second Republic has pursued wide-ranging economic reforms aimed at stabilisation and growth. These include fiscal discipline, currency and monetary reforms, re-engagement efforts, agricultural productivity programmes and infrastructure development.
Notably, Zimbabwe has recorded single-digit inflation, a significant milestone after years of macroeconomic instability. This outcome reflects the cumulative impact of reforms implemented under President Mnangagwa’s stewardship and provides evidence that the development trajectory is yielding measurable results. Business confidence and participation, including political support, are both contributors to and beneficiaries of this stabilisation.
The pledge by 19 businesspeople is both symbolic and practical. It demonstrates that President Mnangagwa’s call for citizens to build their own country is being heeded by sections of local capital. However, Vision 2030 cannot be achieved by a few alone.
Every Zimbabwean, at home and in the diaspora, has a role to play. In line with “Nyika Inovakwa neVene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo,” national development demands collective responsibility, inclusivity and unity, ensuring no one and no place is left behind.
