Chronicle Editor
Limukani Ncube, Editor
THE PRESIDENT Mnangagwa-led government is known for positive life-changing projects that have been implemented across the country, buoyed by the philosophy grounded on Ubuntu; leaving no one and no place behind.
“Leaving no one and no place behind”, and “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo/ Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”, are to some people mantras or slogans that they chant to drive home the message from the President and the Zanu-PF revolutionary party. However, the two statements sit at the core of the philosophy that informs the people-centred approach and servant leadership of President Mnangagwa and the ruling party. In general terms, a philosophy is a way of thinking about certain subjects. Experts say that “way of thinking” involves four “Rs”, which are responsiveness, reflection, reason and re-evaluation. In this case, the four “Rs” then set out a template to respond to the needs of the people; reflect on what is happening on the ground; reason regarding policy pronouncements and re-evaluate the successes, and shortcomings of development programmes.
At the back of massive infrastructural development projects, sound economic policies that have stabilised the currency exchange rate, social safety nets; and milestones in the health, agriculture, media, mining, tourism, and education sectors, among others, the ruling Zanu-PF won the August 23 harmonised elections soundly.
President Mnangagwa won the Presidential race after garnering 2 350 711 votes (52,6 percent), while the nearest rival Nelson Chamisa of CCC got 1 967 343 (44 percent). A total of 4 468 668 valid votes were cast for the Presidential race, with the voter turnout at 68,9%. President Mnangagwa received more votes in seven of the ten provinces in the country, which further buttressed his popularity. He came tops in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Midlands. His nearest rival in the ten-member Presidential race, Chamisa of CCC got the highest number of votes in Bulawayo, Harare, and Matabeleland North.
In the National Assembly, Zanu-PF won 136 of the 209 contested seats with CCC getting 73 constituencies. One seat (Gutu West) of the National Assembly was not contested with the election postponed after one of the candidates died in the run-up to the elections. However, voting patterns point to a Zanu-PF win once the election is held. Furthermore, in the national assembly, 33 of the 60 proportional representatives from the women’s quarter came from Zanu-PF, in addition to seven youth seats from ten provinces.
Therefore, Zanu-PF won a majority in the National Assembly with 62,9 percent, with a good chance of raising it to 63,2 percent if it wins Gutu West. Among 60 senators elected on proportional representation, Zanu-PF got 33 to 27 of CCC.
In the Provincial Council race, Zanu-PF won a majority in seven provinces, including a whitewash in Bulawayo where CCC failed to nominate candidates. CCC won one provincial council-Harare, with two other councils split at 50 percent between Zanu-PF and CCC, which are Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. In the municipalities, the pattern was similar to other elections, with CCC maintaining its stronghold on major towns and cities, with the ruling party dominating in small towns and rural district councils, which gave it another upper hand in terms of numbers.
In the run-up to the elections, Zanu-PF said the development projects implemented across the country by the Second Republic in the last five years were its manifesto. The manifesto was visible across the country, with people enjoying the fruits of the hard work of the President and the ruling party.
Speaking soon after being sworn in for the second term in Harare last week, President Mnangagwa said he will continue with a people-centred approach to ensure development across the country and economic stability which will ensure that the country attains its economic vision of being an upper middle economy by 2030.
In short, that is a continuation of servant leadership. It is a continuation of the philosophies that have transformed the country, “leaving no one and no place behind”, and “ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo/nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”
“The modernisation of our national infrastructure, utilities and amenities will continue unabated. Transport inter-connectivity within provinces and further linking us to the rest of the Sadc region and the continent are a priority. The internal capacities and local skills in road construction that have been developed over the last five years will be deployed to further modernise our road network. Agreements and investments to modernise, repair and expand our rail system will be consummated to allow urgent revitalisation of the sector. Water is life and a solution not only to sustainable food security and sovereignty but also for the water and sanitation needs of our fast growing urban populations. Lake Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi Dam, which are set to meet the needs of Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan Provinces, are scheduled to be completed soon,” he said.
The Government has already delivered energy self-sufficiency after the rehabilitation of Hwange Power Station Unit 7 and Unit 8. The upgrading of Hwange Unit 1 to Unit 6 has also commenced.
“Additional work is continuing towards broadening our energy mix, inclusive of renewable energy, to increase the total energy output, in tandem with the demand created by our fast growing economy.”
The President also promised to keep the fire burning across all sectors to keep the development momentum.
“The quality of life “from Zambezi to Limpopo, from Plumtree to Mutare must be improved. That duty lies with us all, as Zimbabweans, both here at home and in the diaspora. No one else will build our country. No one should ever come from elsewhere to govern our country. The economic role of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) women and youth, as key players in our quest to realise Vision 2030 is set to receive due attention. My new Government shall further consolidate the achievements in the health and education sectors for quality health delivery and education, especially for those in our country-side. Resources will be availed to equip and modernise the numerous schools and clinics constructed during the last five years. The requisite resources will be channelled towards the commercialisation of start-ups developed in our Innovation Hubs and Heritage-Based Education 5.0.
“Matters related to housing delivery, water sanitation, among other social amenities remain key to the modern, empowered, and prosperous Zimbabwe we all want and deserve. I call upon those elected at the Local Government levels to wholeheartedly serve the people of our great country. Our citizens, especially those in urban areas have endured poor service delivery for far too long. Rate payers deserve hard working and competent local authorities who will ensure that our towns and cities regain their long-lost pride and lustre, through world class service delivery,” said President Mnangagwa.
With the country having already achieved food security, the Government plans to consolidate the gains made in the agricultural sector.
“Going forward, my new Government will prioritise guaranteeing this momentum through household and national food security. The construction of dams, accelerated irrigation development, coupled with the ongoing borehole drilling programme, in every village and school, is set to insulate our agriculture sector from climate change-induced weather fluctuations. Vulnerable districts and areas are now the critical focus. Rural Development will be implemented at full scale through robust rural agriculture industrialisation models. This will result in our 35 000 villages country-wide, having productive agro-based companies, owned and run by the benefiting communities. The programme will see a multi-fold increase in rural incomes and sustainable livelihoods.”
The elections have come and gone, and it’s back to work with all hands on deck!
Bongani Ndlovu