Online Reporter
Takemore Mazuruse
President Mnangagwa has long been described as a fine administrator, well before he rose to the highest office in the country.
And his performance under the Second Republic to date shows that he has delivered on his responsibilities as a steady steward of the economy and the national development agenda.
President Mnangagwa recently appointed 10 senators following the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.3) Act, 2026.
Those appointed were: Mr Jabulani Sibanda, Ms Mary Mliswa, Ms Nokhutula Matsikinyere, Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Mr Godwills Masimirembwa, Ms Lucy Chitaga, Retired Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze, Mr Makosini Hlongwane, Ms Brilliant Dube and Ms Irene Mutumba.
The appointments clearly signalled a master stroke of governance, gender-sensitivity, inclusivity and was reflective of the country’s geography.
This balanced approach underscores a deliberate effort to ensure that the Senate speaks not only to different communities, but also to the diversity of the nation’s people, interests and priorities.
It further reinforces the fresh direction of the Second Republic: practical, people-centred and committed to bringing on board leadership capable of delivering results.
Among the appointments, one name drew particular attention: Dr Tagwirei.
Not because his position is undeserved, but largely because of the way his profile has grown as both a businessman and, of late, a politician.
For those who have followed his story over the years, his appointment to the Senate comes as no surprise.
Dr Tagwirei has taken a stand on matters of national interest at critical moments.
When fuel shortages and long queues became a familiar feature of daily life, he helped, through strategic partnerships with government, to secure adequate supplies and the queues gradually became a thing of the past.
When Zimbabwe had power challenges, his energy interventions helped restore normalcy, ensuring the country enjoyed better power supply than its peers in the region.
And when the country faced food shortages, he played a meaningful role through Command Agriculture, then led by the then Vice President Cde Dr Mnangagwa, in helping ensure that the nation was fed.
At party level, Dr Tagwirei has also remained steadfast.
For a long time, he has supported party programmes and events as a benefactor and reliable contributor.
Yet he has not stopped there; he has raised the ante further through increased donations to the ruling party, ZANU PF.
In this regard, Dr Tagwirei has shown himself to be more of a servant leader than anything else.
But his long-standing support for the ruling party and government programmes has not come without backlash.
That role, particularly his contribution to supporting the provisions of public goods, was bound to attract attention.
Indeed, he has been placed under sanctions by foreign detractors, who viewed his efforts in stabilising the Zimbabwean economy as harmful to their ambitions and regime-change machinations.
Even amidst the growing hostility, also from local detractors and naysayers who resorted to name-calling, Dr Tagwirei remained resolute.
Rather than retreating or be distracted by propaganda and attacks, he continued to serve the nation with consistency, purpose and renewed commitment, deliberately allowing the work to speak for itself.
Dr Tagwirei’s appointment, therefore, stands as evidence of President Mnangagwa’s evolving approach to governance.
It reflects an inclusive model in which players and technocrats from both the business and political spheres are brought into the governance system, not for symbolism, but to ensure a fusion of ideas and renewed urgency in the handling of state business.
Under this model, competence, practicality and speed of implementation are prioritised.
The results of such a practical, well-targeted approach have been visible.
Those who question its credibility by insisting that there are “no results” are not responding to facts, but acting out of malice rather than a genuine absence of achievements.
The Second Republic has ushered in notable changes that, to progressive minds, are clear indicators of endless possibilities for positioning Zimbabwe as an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
From the days of fuel queues where citizens would spend weeks in line, to consistent and stable supply; from empty supermarket shelves where only a few items were available, to dependable access to groceries; from rising garbage piles to improved waste management through partnerships with private players; from an isolated country to a friend to all through reengagement efforts, from dry taps to running water and from infrastructure deficiency to better road networks, airports and industries, these are among the many indicators of the direction of the Second Republic’s capacity to deliver.
The hope is that the inclusion of technocrats and business-minded leaders in the mold of Dr Tagwirei, strengthens the broader national push for sustainable development.
Today, Dr Tagwirei continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to national development through partnerships with government and continued support for both the ruling party and the wider citizenry.
His contributions span large-scale community development programmes, including donations for the improvement of various institutions and support for countless beneficiaries, among them churches and disadvantaged communities.
Through the Bridging Gaps Foundation, he has reached many vulnerable people through capacity development and other generous donations.
He has supported free medical care, particularly through Arundel Hospital, and recently helped facilitate the repatriation of vulnerable Zimbabweans following xenophobic outbreaks in South Africa.
In addition, he has supported local sport and contributed to the broader economy through Sakunda Holdings.
In every sphere: national, party and community, Dr Tagwirei has shown that when Zimbabwe needs solutions, he does not merely observe – he acts.
That record of service, sacrifice and sustained national involvement is precisely why his name continues to stand out among those being entrusted with greater responsibility.
Takemore Mazuruse is a strategic communication expert, pan-African journalist, economic empowerment advocate and development practitioner with two decades of experience working with both local and international brands and development organisations.
