Online Reporter
Richard Muponde-Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS Zanu PF prepares for the 22nd People’s National Conference in Mutare, attention inevitably turns to the tangible gains achieved under the Second Republic in the provision of social amenities, which are dramatically improving the livelihoods of citizens, particularly the rural majority.
These vital amenities like housing, health, water and sanitation, education, and recreational facilities are central to human dignity and national development.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa with his rallying philosophy of self-reliance: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo and leaving no one and no place left behind,” Zimbabwe has developed a model that has propelled the country to a transformative path towards Vision 2030 and attainment of an Upper Middle-Income status.
Housing, Education, and Healthcare: Building Dignity and Future Skills
Housing and settlement developments have recorded the most visible progress. The launch of the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy (ZNHSP) in September 2021 marked a crucial turning point.
Highlighting this commitment, President Mnangagwa emphasised: “My Government set up a dedicated Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities to spearhead the development of modern and affordable urban and rural settlements and social amenities in a coordinated and sustainable manner.”
The Ministry, operating under NDS1, initially targeted 220 000 houses by 2025, but this target has already been surpassed, with close to one million houses and stands now accounted for.
Concrete results are visible in institutional accommodation, such as the Marimba flats for junior doctors at Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe Hospitals.
Furthermore, smart city projects like Melfort in Mashonaland East demonstrate forward-looking planning, while the regeneration of old suburbs like Mbare, Makokoba, and Sakubva directly addresses colonial-era urban decay. On this crucial issue, the President was unequivocal:
“We are going to pull down the colonial structures in Mbare, Makokoba and Sakubva. The Second Republic will leave no stone unturned towards restoring order, dignity and access to basic services and social amenities to our deserving people.”
In education, reforms have been driven by the Heritage-Based 5.0 Model, which shifts the curriculum from pure theory to problem-solving and innovation.
Universities have responded by establishing innovation hubs and industrial parks; key examples include the University of Zimbabwe’s pharmaceutical production, Midlands State University’s industrial projects, and National University of Science Technology (NUST)’s engineering innovations, all showcasing homegrown solutions.
At the primary and secondary levels, the Government has modernised schools through devolution funds, diaspora support, and community mobilisation.
The expansion of ICT laboratories and e-learning platforms is crucial for narrowing the digital divide, ensuring that both rural and urban learners gain access to modern education and are prepared for the global economy.
Healthcare modernisation, once crippled by underinvestment, has been dramatically revitalised.
The procurement of thousands of road ambulances and dozens of air ambulances has significantly expanded emergency response capacity.
Crucially, clinics and hospitals have been constructed across districts and provinces using devolution funds and public-private partnerships. Major upgrades to Harare and Bulawayo central hospitals, along with the development of specialist facilities in areas like Chitungwiza, underscore this progress.
Furthermore, President Mnangagwa affirmed that housing for health workers is a priority, stating that frontline staff deserve non-monetary incentives to support their critical roles.
Water Security, Social Safety Nets, and the Way Forward
Large-scale investment has been channelled into Water and Sanitation Infrastructure.
The Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, led by Dr Paul Tungwarara, has delivered thousands of boreholes nationwide, providing potable water to villages, schools, and clinics.
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and District Development Fund (DDF) have expanded piped schemes, and the Morton Jaffray Water Plant in Harare has received new, Government-funded pumps.
Restored sewer treatment plants in urban areas and new rural piped schemes have reinstated dignity and reduced health risks, ensuring water security vital for households, agriculture, and urban development. Sports, recreation, and community facilities are now being prioritised to support youth development and combat drug abuse.
The refurbishment of stadiums, the construction of community centres, and the establishment of recreational facilities in both rural and urban areas are providing much-needed platforms for healthy living and talent development, linking directly to national strategies to keep the youth engaged and productive.
The Second Republic has also reinforced its social safety nets, recognising that social amenities extend beyond infrastructure to the protection of vulnerable groups.
These nets include cash transfers, food aid, and targeted support for the elderly, disabled, and child-headed households.
During the Covid-19 pandemic and periods of economic shocks and drought, these programmes effectively cushioned the most at-risk populations, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
The Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy is central to addressing structural challenges.
President Mnangagwa has stressed the urgency of this policy, noting the 1.2 million housing unit deficit and committing the Government to: “accelerating the provision of houses and social amenities to all sections of society.”
He further underscored smart city development, inclusive self-sustainable settlements, and urban regeneration as long-term strategies aligned with AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A unique hallmark of the Second Republic has been community mobilisation and partnerships.
Villagers have pooled labour and resources to build clinics and schools, while diaspora communities have successfully funded rural projects.
Public-private partnerships have unlocked resources and expertise, evident in healthcare upgrades and housing schemes.
This synergy of Government, citizens, and the private sector represents the practical application of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
The Second Republic has successfully transformed the provision of social amenities from a sector once crippled by neglect into a driver of national development.
Housing projects, education reforms, modernised healthcare, expanded water and sanitation infrastructure, and targeted social safety nets have improved lives across the country.
Yet, the challenge of shortages demands sustained effort, accountability, and broad-based mobilisation.
By working in tandem with communities, the private sector, and the diaspora, the Government has turned its philosophy into action, charting a course where no place and no citizen is left behind.
The 22nd People’s Conference offers a critical opportunity to consolidate these gains, monitor implementation of resolutions, and ensure social amenities remain at the core of national progress.
