Online Reporter
THE ruling party, ZANU PF, had a series of key meetings last week, which are important insofar as they give an indication of the country’s political and economic pulse.
The governing party’s policies ultimately shape Government programmes and influence national outcomes.
Throughout the engagements, the message from President Mnangagwa, who is ZANU PF’s First Secretary, was clear: As a nation, we have achieved remarkable milestones under incredibly difficult circumstances, but we should remain united, dedicated and focused to achieve the ultimate goal — a prosperous, modern and highly industrialised country.
However, in all this, he said, we should always put people at the centre.
While the message was delivered to ZANU PF, it was, and still is, relevant to every Zimbabwean.
His address at the 25th session of the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) at the party headquarters in Harare on Friday essentially encapsulated his message to the nation.
“The sacrifice of many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, which brought about independence and freedom, is a source of inspiration to the party and the people of our great country.
“This has seen us achieving unprecedented success milestones under the Second Republic,” President Mnangagwa said.
“I want to commend both the leadership and membership for the achievements we are attaining at both our party and Government levels. Through you, our party ZANU PF carries the weighty responsibility to facilitate development that leaves no one and no place behind. Let us use the positions we have in the party for development in communities we come from.”
The foundational history of this country, which only became free when its gallant sons and daughters laid down their lives and spilled their sacred blood, is an eternal fountain from which the nation will continue to tap inspiration, determination and fortitude to succeed, even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds.
The virtue of selflessly serving the motherland and sacrificing for fellow countrymen and women should be inculcated in every one of us so that we bequeath to future generations a country they can be proud of.
Although we are still under the yoke of Western sanctions, we have since found renewed energy and vigour to drive our development.
The engineering marvel that is Trabablas Interchange — conceived, built and financed by locals — today stands as an enduring symbol of the national aspirations.
Such key landmarks, which are the building blocks of a new Zimbabwe, are sprouting across the country.
Commendable work has been done on our roads.
Some of them have been rehabilitated and more are still being attended to.
On Friday, the President briefed the NCA on some of the roads where rehabilitation and construction has since begun — the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road; the Birchenough-Chipinge road; the Murambinda-Mudanda road; the Gokwe-Nkayi road; the Kuwirirana-Nemangwe road; the Muzvezve-Empress Mine road; the Zvishavane-Rutenga road; the Rushinga-Chimhanda road; the Murewa-Madacheche road; the Headlands-Mayo road; the Beitbridge-Bulawayo road; and the Harare- Chirundu road, among others.
And from our land, for which and in which our gallant heroes and heroines shed their blood, we are now producing bountiful harvests.
This year, we are celebrating yet another bumper harvest in cereals, with prospects looking up for the winter wheat season, which is well underway.
Our smallholder farmers who benefitted from the Land Reform Programme are now growing significantly more tobacco than the white former commercial farmers.
While the progress we have made has been remarkable, we still have a long road ahead.
As the President exhorted last week, we should avoid unnecessary rancour and determinedly forge ahead.
“Recently, I had the chance to tour the main public health facilities here in Harare. It was disheartening that the situation was allowed to deteriorate. More is expected from all stakeholders. Blame-shifting will not get us anywhere. We must learn from our shortcomings and work hand in hand, as the public sector, private sector and individuals, to build our country,” he told the Politburo on Wednesday.
“If we are united, focused, patriotic and work hard to achieve our
national aspirations, nothing is impossible . . .”
Overall, all our efforts should go towards one common and shared goal: Building a country that we are all proud of, and we should not lose sight of this.
Online Reporter