President Mnangagwa’s enduring legacy defined by visionary leadership

National Focus
Dr Jenfan Muswere

Leadership

His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa’s leadership style is anchored in servant leadership, primarily serving and prioritising the growth and development of the citizenry.

Servant leaders, in the mould of the President, show a natural propensity to serve first than to lead.

He is a democrat, a kind father of the nation who wants the best for everyone.

That he is a statesman par excellence is unequalled, a visionary who is committed to Zimbabwe and its people, and the milestones so far accomplished under the National Development Strategy 1 serve as testament to his unflinching strategic inclination.

While the present matters to him, he is largely futuristic and we see this in Vision 2030, which is underpinned by the desire for a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030.

The President believes in home-grown solutions to alleviate challenges to grow the economy.

As a Pan-Africanist and a lawyer, he believes in world peace and unity, and this is why he continues to speak and campaign for Zimbabwe to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the year 2027 to 2028.

At the same time, President Mnangagwa’s leadership and vision have played a key role in shaping the Second Republic, wherein his leadership style has focused strongly on self-sustenance and resilience in the midst of the illegal sanctions.

He believes that Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo, translating to “a country is built by its owners”.

His vision emphasises zero tolerance to corruption, accountability, transparency, efficiency and responsiveness in public service.

His leadership style is also action-oriented and development-focused, seeking to shift from rhetoric to tangible results.

This is evidenced by the introduction of performance-based contracts in 2021 for Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, CEOs of parastatals, local authorities, vice chancellors of State universities and other senior Government officials to enhance accountability and transparency in its operations.

His leadership style is also all-embracing.

He believes that everyone should be involved in the development of the country as evidenced by his philosophy “leaving no one and no place behind”.

President Mnangagwa’s leadership style also involves fostering national unity and inclusive governance demonstrated by initiatives such as the Political Actors Dialogue aimed at collaborative problem-solving across political parties.

Government under his leadership focuses on sound policies and programmes for sustainable development, with remarkable achievements in all sectors of the economy, like the media, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism, ICTs and health.

Transformative milestones

Poverty alleviation, through the introduction of numerous programmes and projects, has been the hallmark of President Mnangagwa’s leadership and this is witnessed across all the sectors of the economy.

Media

Since His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s assumption of duty, the media environment has greatly improved as he scrapped the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

The outdated law impinged and stifled media operations.

The scrapping of AIPPA and enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) resulted in the proliferation of the media.

It also resulted in enhanced access to information and freedom of expression.

Today, Zimbabwe boasts 14 language-based community radio stations, nine campus radio stations and numerous television channels.

His Excellency the President also launched the Zimbabwe Media Policy, whose thrust is to promote transparency, predictability and accountability while rallying citizens’ national development goals.

Also, in an effort to expedite information dissemination, ZBC, Zimpapers and 3KTV modernised and digitised their operations in line with digital transformation of the media sector.

Health

Government continued to prioritise improvement in the health delivery system. Emphasis was placed on accessibility, affordability and improved high-quality healthcare services that safeguard the wellbeing of citizens and contribute towards the overall socio-economic progress.

This is highlighted by installation of solar power plants at 19 health facilities; repair and installation of cancer and X-ray machines at referral hospitals such as Mpilo; introduction of air ambulance services, which saved 778 lives; as well as major refurbishments at most referral hospitals such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and the Quinary Hospital for the University of Zimbabwe to expedite the health delivery system.

Economic growth and stability

In order to eradicate poverty among citizens, the Second Republic has so far implemented the following several people-centred initiatives, chief among them a reduction of taxes and levies; debt arrears clearance; Pickstone mine construction; capacitation of the operations of the Financial Intelligence Unit to fight money laundering; and a joint task force to curb smuggling of goods.

Infrastructure and utilities

Government implemented projects that focused on the provision of road and aviation networks and utilities such as water and electricity, which include expansion and rehabilitation of airports in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls; Dete Community solar project; Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road upgrading; Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe road rehabilitation; repairing of 1 775 boreholes across the country; Trabablas Interchange construction project; and Harare-Kanyemba road construction.

Digital economy

Government invested in expanding ICT infrastructure, promoting digital literacy and supporting technology startups such as launch of ZINGSA 1 & 2 satellites in space facilitating geo-mapping of borders and boundaries, during the cadastral mapping of Zimbabwe in order to generate maps that entrench current affairs on the ground, disasters predication and weather forecasts.

Other projects include deployment of ICT gadgets to marginalised schools nationwide; deployment of 54 base stations nationwide; 50km Bulawayo-Victoria Falls-Kazungula backbone project; e-passport facility for citizens; e-procurement process to deter corruption across Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) activated; and the Integrated Electronic Case Management system (IECMS) to reduce backlog. About 300 000 cases backlog wiped away.

Food security

In an effort to guarantee food sufficiency across the country, Government employed diverse climate-proofing strategies, chief among them is the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, Food Distribution, Presidential Livestock, Stock Feed Programme under disaster risk management were launched and implemented.

Other projects include irrigation rehabilitation and accelerated dams construction to boost food security; hay cutting and bailing nationwide; establishment and operationalisation of village business units in all provinces.

Image building, engagement and re-engagement

The focus was on improving the Government image. A number of initiatives that included rehabilitation of infrastructure at foreign missions and installation of broadcasting infrastructure which is critical for enhancing the Government image and for improved economic diplomacy.

Projects include modernisation of ZBC studios; Zimpapers digital transformation; establishment and operationalisation of community and campus radio stations (There are now 14 community radio stations and nine campus radio stations); construction and renovation of diplomatic residences in Berlin, Abuja and London; bid to rejoin the Commonwealth; re-engagement with once hostile nations now bearing fruits.

Social protection

Government focused on protection of individuals and communities from poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion. It also implemented programmes that promoted social justice, human rights and economic security, especially for the marginalised and vulnerable population.

Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and the School Feeding Programme budgets were increased to cater for more beneficiaries arising from the crop failure of the 2023/2024 agricultural season.

Governance

Government’s efforts were aimed at promoting practices that foster public trust, accelerated service provision and sustainable development. Governance plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

The projects that were undertaken include installation of online boarder management systems; decentralisation of e-passport services; construction of magistrate courts; implementation and operationalisation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System; and establishment of community radios and hotline on GBV.

Devolution and decentralisation

The focus has been on enhancing public participation in project implementation and in decision-making. Several projects were lined up  to make the devolution agenda a reality and a fiscal budget of 5 percent of the national cake was set aside to fund the policy, programmes and projects annually.

Government has made deliberate effort to empower the local citizens by participating actively on matters of their destiny.

The devolution and decentralisation agenda is meant to promote equitable development through grassroots participation and deployment of resources.

Dam construction

Several high-impact projects have been completed, including dams like Muchekeranwa in Marondera and the much-anticipated Lake Gwayi Shangani aimed at addressing water shortages in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe is now one of the most dammed country in the region, and this is all attributed to His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa.

Energy

Expansion of the Hwange Power Station, adding Units 7 and 8, which has helped alleviate power challenges in the country.

Leaving no one and no place behind

The philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”, consistently emphasised by the President of Zimbabwe, has translated into tangible development and inclusivity across the country through a variety of impactful policies and initiatives such as the following: poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and devolution . . .

President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic has also been marked by significant infrastructure development, reflecting his commitment to modernising Zimbabwe and driving economic growth.

Here are some landmark projects:

• The implementation of the National Mobile Broadband project in Zimbabwe Phase 3. Aimed at expanding 4G and introducing 5G technology to improve network coverage and digital access across the country.
• The licensing of Starlink to offer services in the country.
• The construction and expansion of road networks such as the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road upgrade, Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe road rehabilitation, Harare-Kanyemba road construction, and the construction of new Parliament building access roads. These projects have greatly improved transport infrastructure and connectivity across the country.
• The state-of-the-art Trabablas Interchange in Harare is a game-changer, replacing the congested Mbudzi Roundabout and enhancing traffic flow between Harare, Chitungwiza and surrounding areas.
• Improved gold and coal output during the first half of the year with a 7 percent expected growth for the sector.
• Zimbabwe surpassed the US$5 billion tourism revenue target, driven by investments in infrastructure and marketing.
• The Robert  Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was expanded and plans are underway to transform Charles  Prince into a modern international hub, strengthening national and regional air connectivity.
• Hwange Power Station Expansion: Units 7 and 8, adding 670MW capacity, have stabilised Zimbabwe’s grid and reduced imports, contributing 53 percent of the country’s energy output.
• Solar Projects: Two large solar plants with a combined 250MW capacity are under development, aiming to ensure reliable energy supply for economic growth. Great Zimbabwe 5MW Hydro Power Station is another initiative enhancing energy security and supporting industrialisation.
• Lake Gwayi-Shangani Dam: This major project will address Bulawayo’s water challenges.
• Muchekeranwa Dam: Completed, benefitting Marondera and surrounding areas.
• Kunzvi Dam: Under construction to cater to Harare’s water needs.
• Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO): A US$1,5 billion project in Manhize, Chirumhanzu, positioning Zimbabwe as a regional steel producer, creating thousands of jobs.
• Modernisation of health services through the provision of air ambulances.
• Lupane Provincial Hospital: Near completion, enhancing healthcare services.
• Cowdray Park Health Centre: A modern facility improving local healthcare access.
• Government has since delivered more than a million houses. Also, flats such as those in Mutawatawa, Marimba, Beitbridge, Lupane, among others, are designed to address the country’s housing backlog and provide citizens with decent and affordable accommodation.

Sovereignty, peace and security

Overall, the Second Republic’s goal is to ensure that every citizen benefits from economic progress as we cautiously advance amid a complex global environment.

Our focus has been on building a stable macroeconomic environment through prudent fiscal discipline, taming inflation and fostering a business-friendly atmosphere.

Particular emphasis has been placed on key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism to diversify growth and secure livelihoods.

Enduring legacy

President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s enduring legacy is defined by visionary leadership and a strong commitment to Zimbabwe’s sustainable growth.

He has prioritised national unity, economic recovery and social stability, while emphasising self-reliance to build a resilient nation.

His legacy is reinforced through bold reforms, strengthened institutions and efforts to boost the nation’s regional and international standing. This legacy of hope, resilience and progress will continue to inspire generations to come.

Dr Jenfan Muswere in the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.