Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT will never lose interest in scaling up and initiating programmes and projects designed to empower and improve people’s livelihoods, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his address at the 386th Ordinary Session of the Politburo at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare yesterday, the President said under the Second Republic, Zimbabweans were being facilitated to continue developing value chains and creating new industries across all economic sectors.
This is in tandem with the Zanu PF First Secretary’s continued emphasis on the need for homegrown solutions towards the modernisation, industrialisation and growth of the country’s economy.
“We are masters of our own destiny and a proud African people. This must never change. On the economic front, Zanu PF will never tire of scaling up programmes and projects that are deliberately designed to broadly empower the citizens of this great country.
“Under our Government, Zimbabweans are being facilitated to continue developing value chains and create new industries across all the sectors of the economy, innovation, science and technology riding on development,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said agriculture remained the mainstay of Zimbabwe’s economy, and as such, the Zanu PF-led Government would ensure timely support to farmers during the forthcoming summer cropping season.
“As we carry out the work of our party and Government, communities must be kept alive to the centrality of agriculture to broad-based empowerment and national prosperity.
“Let us, therefore, urge stakeholders in the agriculture sector, farmer by farmer, household by household, village by village and ward by ward, to accelerate preparations for the 2025-2026 summer cropping season.
“On its part, Zanu PF will continue to ensure that support to farmers is rendered timely, including tillage services, distribution of a wide range of seeds, chemicals and fertilisers, among other critical inputs.
“Nyika inovakwa inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” he said.
To sustain agriculture growth, preparations for this summer cropping season are already underway, with Government set to expand irrigation and tailor crop production to agro-ecological zones as part of efforts to boost climate resilience at both the household and national levels.
On the irrigation front, President Mnangagwa said he launched the Productivity Booster Kit Programme in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, on Monday to ensure the country is fully climate proofed against weather vagaries.
He added that such initiatives, which will be rolled out countrywide, encourage the adoption of smart agriculture practices.
“The Productivity Booster Kit Programme, which I launched in Mashonaland Central Province, will be rolled out nationwide to allow our communities to leverage the country’s comparative advantages,” President Mnangagwa said.
He commended the leadership of Mashonaland Central Province for the high turnout of the party membership at that event, adding that the Productivity Booster Kit Programme should help accelerate sustainable development, rural industrialisation and increase the adoption of smart agriculture practices, to spur agro-processing and boost food security.
The President said the diaspora community must be encouraged to “invest rural” as Government champions modernisation and industrialisation in all parts of the country.
He tasked the Department of Local Government within Zanu PF to ensure that local authorities provide opportunities and land for the development of industries and manufacturing hubs in both urban and rural areas.
“Let me reiterate that under my leadership, hard-honest work, discipline, focus, courage and determination remain fundamental aspects of our national character,” said President Mnangagwa.
The youth and women in Zimbabwe, he said, must never be trapped in a vicious cycle of dependency.
“Our national identity, dignity and sovereignty must always be defended.”
With South African President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opening the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) tomorrow, President Mnangagwa urged the nation to accord him the hospitality that the country is known for.
“On Friday, we will host His Excellency, Cde Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the African National Congress party and the Republic of South Africa, who is the Guest of Honour at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
“I call upon the party and the nation to prepare to extend our usual and trademark warm hospitality to our guests,” he said.
President Mnangagwa apprised the Politburo of the Zim-AID donation made to Mozambique in the aftermath of cyclones Chido and Jude.
“As we scale up the implementation of our national development agenda, we are cognisant of the challenges that face other communities in our region, mainly due to climate change.
“In this spirit, Zimbabwe, under Zim-AID, donated maize seed, wheat, building materials and an assortment of food items to communities in Mozambique affected by cyclones Chido and Jude.
“I officiated, together with President (Daniel) Chapo, at the handover ceremony in Chimoio. This unity and solidarity within our SADC region should be safeguarded for posterity,” said the President.
Turning to Zimbabwe’s just-ended tenure as Chairperson of SADC, he applauded the people and all stakeholders for the solidarity rendered.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would continue supporting the regional bloc’s programmes and projects.
“Allow me to once again commend the people of Zimbabwe, our revolutionary mass party, Zanu PF, and all stakeholders within our borders and beyond, for their cooperation and solidarity during our tenure as Chairman of SADC.
“Let us continue to support the programmes and projects of our august regional body, now under the chairmanship of our Sister Republic of Madagascar.
“Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy of none. We, thus, hail the mutually beneficial relations that our country enjoys within the comity of nations,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa also informed the Politburo about the outcomes of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD), describing them as critically important in Zimbabwe’s ongoing national development trajectory.
The summit, held under the theme, “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, provided practical, partnership and investment opportunities as Zimbabwe searches for homegrown solutions towards the modernisation, industrialisation and growth of the economy.
“This includes in key areas such as industrialisation, trade, infrastructure development, digitalisation, skills transfer, youth and women empowerment, as well as public-private partnerships,” he said.
