‘We’ll shame prophets of doom’ – President Mnangagwa

ZIMBABWE will continue to shame its detractors through the successful implementation of robust and people-centred development programmes and projects as the Zanu-PF-led Government accelerates economic transformation in line with Vision 2030 targets, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

While prophets of doom are dreaming of a divided and crumbling Zanu-PF, he charged the revolutionary party cadres to remain vigilant, guard against infiltration, and uphold unity to safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.

Delivering his keynote address at the official opening session of the 21st Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Bulawayo yesterday, President Mnangagwa, who is also the party’s First Secretary, said the bond between Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF was solid, adding that the party was in “safe hands” under the current leadership.

“Under our watch, as this generation of leaders, our Zanu-PF party ‘is in safe hands’. Zanu-PF and the people of Zimbabwe are one,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We’re singing one national anthem, flying one national flag and working hard towards the attainment of our national Vision 2030 for the prosperity, modernisation, industrialisation and development of our beloved motherland.

“However, party systems must be tightened and insulated against infiltration by divisive elements and malcontents who have no regard for the political order that is guaranteed by the supreme Party Constitution.”

The President re-affirmed the party’s commitment to constitutionalism saying the conference must buttress the same to guard against the threats posed by indiscipline and political excesses of opportunists, which should be addressed head-on.

“In Zanu-PF, we toe the correct line of the revolution. There is no room for ideological indecisiveness,” declared President Mnangagwa.

He said the conference theme “Industrialise and Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030” underscores the momentum that the ruling party must inject to maintain the milestone successes so far realised under the leadership of the Second Republic.

Hence the gathering was meant to provide an honest and thorough reflection on the state of the party, the economy, and national as well as community projects, he added.

“Time-bound and structured solutions should be proffered, sector by sector. We are a party of results, hence, the need to continually sharpen our party’s policies,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Strategies in this regard must remain robust and people-centred. Therefore, the conference has the obligation to recommit our party, to deepening grassroots engagement and mobilisation, for both party building and scaling up production and productivity, as well as the implementation of projects.”

Despite challenges affecting the country, including illegal sanctions and climate change, he said Zimbabwe will never look back.

“Step-by-step, brick-upon-brick and stone-upon-stone, we are realising the mission, aims and objectives of our colossal party, and consolidating the gains of our hard-won independence, national unity and peace,” said the President.

On the commencement of the summer cropping season, he said the land remains the backbone of the economy and was one of the key grievances that inspired the protracted and brutal war of liberation.

He urged Zimbabweans to jealously guard this resource for future generations, noting the recent Land Tenure Policy, which has been adopted by the Government for the beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme, including war veterans, youth and women.

President Mnangagwa also commended the advanced preparations by farmers saying hard work on the fields must guarantee the country a bumper harvest and food security, more so with the promise of good rains during the 2024/2025 summer season.

As the Government pushes the distribution of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, he warned against corruption and favouritism saying the process must benefit all Zimbabweans and communities.

“The construction of new dams is ongoing. Lapha ko Bulawayo sizawaletha amanzi from Lake Gwayi-Tshangani and shame the prophets of doom,” said the President.

“Equally, our Zanu-PF Government shall deliver water to Harare from Kunzvi Dam. With regard to infrastructure development, the construction and maintenance of national road networks are ongoing. Our focus is now on upgrading the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and Harare-Chirundu roads, among others.”

He commended smooth conference preparations and applauded Bulawayo as the host province for its warm hospitality saying the massive attendance of close to 4 000 delegates, is a clear demonstration that Zanu-PF is a mass party and remains true to the sacred founding values and principles of the revolution.

He reminded the delegates, who included diasporans, and diplomatic dignitaries of the need to safeguard unity, peace and development in honour of the Founding Fathers and struggle luminaries.

Since the last 20th annual conference in Gweru, the President said the party has scored more successes, including victories in various by-elections, which is a testimony of the vibrant mass mobilisation machinery of the party.

He, however, said the restructuring of the party from cells and villages must urgently lead to the creation of a credible party membership database.

This is a collective responsibility of all party leaders and should enable more responsive development planning over and above the routine strengthening of the party’s internal democratic processes and procedures.

“I am aware that in some districts, chaotic records of members are deliberate and preferred by those holding party positions to gain favour or advantage over others,” he said. “This is unacceptable and must stop. Party structures are critical for a strong foundation of the revolution. We should guard against infiltration into the structures and not destroy the structures.”

Urging greater linkages and business networks across all sectors of the economy, including entrepreneurs, the President said the youth and women must benefit more, stressing the importance of nurturing and inculcating a sense of patriotism, a mandate bestowed on the Chitepo School of Ideology.

He also commended party wings, the Women’s League, Youth League and War Veterans League, as the vital engine-rooms of the party’s mobilisation and cadre development initiatives.

Going forward, the President said party structures must demonstrate renewed vigilance by opening more innovative fronts to earn, keep and safeguard the people’s support, including harnessing ICTs and the digital space.

He acknowledged and commended the successful holding of the War Veterans League congress and the election of a new leadership chaired by Cde Cephas Ncube as a testament to embedded commitment to the tenets of democracy.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa said the economy was on a sound footing with positive growth indicators led by milestones in key sectors such as mining, which has 84 percent capacity utilisation this year despite low commodity prices and is expected to jump to 90 percent next year..

The tourism industry has become a top exporter, surpassing the US$5 billion tourism revenue target set for 2025 while manufacturing is also on the rebound as the private sector and Government work closely to address inherent challenges.

President Mnangagwa commended chiefs and people in the Matabeleland region for championing and embracing the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme as a mechanism that carries everybody on board to enhance peace and reconciliation.