Vice-Presidents hail Second Republic’s development efforts

VICE-President Constantino Chiwenga has restated Zanu-PF’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda.

Addressing the 21st Zanu-PF National People’s Conference in Bulawayo yesterday, VP Chiwenga, who is also the party’s Second Secretary, emphasised the urgent need to honour the trust and confidence reposed in Zanu-PF by the people of Zimbabwe.

The ongoing conference has attracted over 4 000 delegates, with the ruling party placing a premium on economic development throughout the event. The conference is themed “Industrialise and Modernise towards the Attainment of Vision 2030” in line with President Mnangagwa’s objective to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

VP Chiwenga reiterated that Zanu-PF acknowledges the mandate bestowed upon the party by the electorate.

“As the ruling party, we value and never take for granted the trust that the people of Zimbabwe bestow on us through their vote. On this call, the supremacy of the party over Government should continue to enhance the implementation of past conference resolutions, and this should be taken seriously. The electorate has confidence in our capacity to deliver to their expectations,” said VP Chiwenga.

He noted that as President Mnangagwa has declared that Vision 2030 should be achieved ahead of time, Zanu-PF should develop policies and resolutions to make this a reality. He said innovation and industrialisation are pivotal for the country’s sustained economic transformation and development.

“Our guest of honour is on record stating that Vision 2030 will be achieved way ahead of the set schedule. It is therefore instructive that the platform of this conference should come up with resolutions that spur industrialisation and leapfrog our economic trajectory towards modernisation. This should fulfil the pledge by our guest of honour for the early realisation of his vision.

“The focus of our deliberations, therefore, should be on the need to improve the livelihood of our people. Our economy should continue to grow to ensure food security, nutrition, and general prosperity for all,” said Dr Chiwenga.

He stressed that the country’s heritage-based education system should respond to national needs, adding that the country’s industry should be driven by research, science, technology, and innovation. He also highlighted the need to restore the buying power of the local currency.

“Most importantly, our currency should retain its transactional value to enhance trade and commerce for the common good and public convenience,” said VP Chiwenga.

He commended the President for assuming the SADC chairmanship, saying that through his thought leadership, Zimbabwe is recording inclusive development that leaves no one behind.

“Our growth must lead to equitable development so that no one and no place is left behind. Through his visionary and transformative leadership, President Mnangagwa continues to craft pro-people policies and programmes that have transformed the quality of lives of our people,” he said.

“True to his philosophy, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo, our President and First Secretary has been at the centre of developing home-grown solutions which are accelerating our economic development. We can all attest to the great milestones attained in our major economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, infrastructure development, and manufacturing using our own resources.”

He urged the development of policies to address challenges such as the El Nino-induced drought. VP Chiwenga said the ruling party delegates should start thinking about the policies to be implemented during the NDS2, which is the last lap to take the nation to Vision 2030 and uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.

Addressing the same gathering, VP and Zanu-PF Second Secretary, Kembo Mohadi, reiterated that the party is supreme to the Government.

“This conference highlighted some of the challenges facing our people and proffered solutions to those challenges. I’m confident that the resolutions that will emerge from the thematic committees of the 21st National People’s Conference will provide us with the medicine the doctor ordered. As Zanu-PF we acknowledge the successes achieved under your leadership.

“As delegates, we wish for the level of progress that has been achieved in various sectors of the economy to continue so that we achieve much earlier than 2030. We believe that with your visionary guidance and bold leadership, we can tackle the pressing challenges that lie ahead,” said VP Mohadi.

He said the theme of the conference is in sync with the county’s modernisation agenda and also aligns with the President’s vision of inclusive growth and quality of life for all.

“While we may face setbacks along the way, we must remain committed to our goal and continue to move forward,” he said.

VP Mohadi said the challenges that the country tackles define Zimbabwe’s resilience and fortitude as the nation advances its development agenda.