Performance contracts spur results-based culture in Govt

Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]

THE introduction of Performance Contracts across Government is transforming public service culture and driving results, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has said.

Speaking at an Independence and Performance Awards Celebration Dinner in Zvishavane on Saturday evening, Minister Ncube said the accolades he and his Secretary, Dr Edgar Seenza, recently received from President Mnangagwa were evidence of pragmatic statecraft under the Second Republic.

The continuous performance evaluation reinforces the Second Republic’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, work ethic and servant leadership, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030.

President Mnangagwa introduced the accountability framework in 2021.

Minister Ncube commended the Second Republic for introducing, for the first time since independence, Performance Contracts as part of a broader Results-Based Management Framework underpinned by the motto “what gets measured gets done”.

“It is with profound pleasure and a deep sense of appreciation that I address you on this momentous occasion of our Independence Dinner, as we celebrate performance accolades recently awarded by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and my secretary during the 2025 Performance Signing and Awards Ceremony,” he said.

“These awards demonstrate the commitment by His Excellency the President to pragmatic statecraft and re-engineering of the public service, underpinned by results-oriented Governance systems as contained in his inaugural speech of 24 November 2017,” he added.

Minister Ncube tied the awards directly to President Mnangagwa’s inaugural address of November 24, 2017, quoting the call for a culture change in Government.

“The culture in Government just has to change, unseating those little gods idly sitting in public offices, for a busy, empathetic civil service that Zimbabwe surely deserves,” he said.

“Flexibility must be built into our operations so the machine of Government does not become one huge ponderous stumbling block to decisions that must be met and communicated expeditiously.

“In this regard, I commend the Second Republic for introducing, for the first time since independence, Performance Contracts as part of a broader Results-Based Management Framework underpinned by the motto ‘what gets measured gets done’. Following my appointment as Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution by the appointing authority, the Midlands Province hit the ground running, guided by people-centric Vision 2030, Transitional Stabilisation Programme, NDS 1 and the current NDS 2 Development Plans that embrace and accelerate the national empowerment aspirations, broader global attainment, and Vision 2030,” Minister Ncube said.

He indicated that Midlands Province hit the ground running after his appointment, guided by Vision 2030, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, NDS1 and the current NDS2, and credited cordial working relations between Zanu-PF, the corporate world, churches, local authorities and Government departments for growing the provincial GDP.

“I applaud ‘Team Midlands’ and appreciate the cordial working relationship between the ruling party, Zanu-PF, the corporate world, churches, local authorities, ministries, departments and agencies, among others, in fostering unity of purpose and growing the Midlands Provincial GDP,” he said.

“I humbly dedicate the awards we received from His Excellency the President to our hardworking, patriotic and loyal Civil Servants and the unwavering support from our stakeholders, as major achievements were recorded in 2025 beautification attainment of Vision 2030.”

Minister Ncube indicated that under President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is unstoppable.

“Accordingly, I commend you all for the overwhelming support exhibited during the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 consultation meetings. I urge Team Midlands to upscale the momentum, always lead whille others follow,” he said.