Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]
THE 39th Ordinary Session of the African union (AU) Assembly held recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, served as a grand stage for President Mnangagwa to export Zimbabwe’s home-grown development philosophy to the rest of the continent.
President Mnangagwa’s participation was not a mere diplomatic formality but a strategic intervention, positioning Zimbabwe as a living case study in self-reliance under the mantra: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” (A nation is built by its own people).
This philosophy aligns seamlessly with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the continent’s transformative blueprint that champions “African solutions to African problems.”
By presenting Zimbabwe as a resilient nation that has advanced despite two decades of illegal Western sanctions, the President offered a practical model for achieving “The Africa We Want.”
Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo philosophy vs Agenda 2063
Agenda 2063 is grounded in Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance, emphasising the mobilisation of Africans to take ownership of their development trajectory.
It calls for self-reliance and the creation of capable, inclusive, and accountable institutions.
President Mnangagwa’s mantra stands as the real-world application of these ideals.
By asserting that Zimbabweans must be the primary architects of their national destiny, he has helped shift the collective mindset from dependency to productivity.
Addressing fellow Heads of State and Government at the African union African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) session on the sidelines of the summit, the President spoke candidly about the obstacles Zimbabwe has faced.
“Excellencies, it is regrettable that for over two decades, Zimbabwe’s economic performance has been constrained by harsh unilateral, coercive measures imposed by some Western countries following the Land Reform Programme, which we do not regret,” President Mnangagwa said.
He explained that although these measures were intended to cripple the country’s progress, they had instead ignited a renewed spirit of innovation and self-reliance.
“These measures have undermined policy effectiveness, restricted access to investment, technology and international credit markets, and negatively affected ordinary citizens of our country,” he said.
“Zimbabwe deeply appreciates the solidarity shown by SADC and African union member States in calling for the unconditional removal of these unilateral sanctions.”
A case study in resilience
President Mnangagwa’s message in Addis Ababa was clear: sanctions may be damaging, but they are not insurmountable when a nation commits to looking inward.
Under the “Open for Business” policy and the “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” philosophy, Zimbabwe has initiated extensive infrastructure development using domestically mobilised resources.
“The drive is to modernise, industrialise and grow our economy and accelerate its growth ourselves, the owners of the country,” President Mnangagwa emphasised.
This resilience was echoed in the APRM Targeted Review on Economic Governance and Management, conducted in Zimbabwe in November last year.
Led by Ambassador Aly El-Hefny, the review team acknowledged Zimbabwe’s progress in industrialisation through Special Economic Zones and the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, which has stimulated innovation and production across higher education institutions.
Water security: Solving foundational challenges
The AU’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” provided a perfect opportunity for President Mnangagwa to spotlight Zimbabwe’s domestic achievements.
The President highlighted major dam construction projects — most notably the Gwayi-Shangani Dam and Kunzvi Dam — which now serve as examples for the continent. Funded largely through the national budget rather than external borrowing, these initiatives demonstrate the capacity of African nations to tackle foundational challenges like water scarcity using local expertise and resources.
This model supports the AU’s broader call for financial sovereignty, urging member states to reduce reliance on external aid. Zimbabwe’s success in modernising agriculture through climate-resilient systems and internal funding places it at the forefront of Africa’s journey toward economic independence.
The global narrative shift
Through strategic engagement at the 39th Summit, President Mnangagwa succeeded in reshaping the global narrative about Zimbabwe. He reframed the country not as a victim “suffering under sanctions,” but as a nation “succeeding despite them.”
This shift is essential for the African Renaissance.
If Zimbabwe can rebuild its infrastructure, improve its healthcare facilities, and achieve food self-sufficiency while excluded from international credit markets, then it stands as a compelling example for an Africa striving to break free from neo-colonial dependency.
President Mnangagwa reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to implementing the APRM recommendations, demonstrating that the “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” philosophy goes beyond physical development — it also prioritises transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance systems.
As Africa advances towards the 2030 and 2063 milestones, Zimbabwe stands as proof that when the “owners” of a nation take charge, no amount of external pressure can halt the march towards prosperity.
Sidumisile Mabena