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Mukachana Hanyani
Correspondent
When the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa came to power in 2017, the economy was at its lowest ebb.
Everyone in the country was calling for massive economic revival and infrastructural development to address the socio-economic challenges affecting the country.
There were long and winding fuel queues throughout the country as fuel shortages were the order of the day. There was also a dire shortage of electricity leading to crippling load shedding.
Roads had turned from potholes to pools and drivers would find it impossible to drive safely throughout the country.
Food shortages were a serious concern throughout the country with the international community always donating food stuffs to most vulnerable communities.
The problems that were being faced by the country then meant President Mnangagwa and his Government had to start the ball rolling in making sure the country became great again.
On the agricultural front, the Second Republic introduced the Climate-Proof Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme where communities were provided with agricultural inputs for their small plots.
This programme was a game-changer which has helped communities to harvest enough for their family consumption with the surplus being directed to Grain Market Board (GMB) for the strategic grain reserve.
Still on the agricultural revolution, Government introduced irrigation schemes throughout the country.
Some irrigation schemes were rehabilitated including some which had not been operational for a long time. New schemes were introduced in some areas.
This complemented the harvest from Pfumvudza/Intwasa programmes, thereby enabling the country able to produce enough food for its citizens.
Currently plans are underway to export surplus so that the country is able to get the much needed foreign currency enough to meet its import bill and boost its forex reserves.
Regarding infrastructural development, the Second Republic has availed resources that have been channelled in the constructions of major and small roads throughout the country.
The Harare-Beitbridge highway which, hitherto was known as a killer road because of the high frequency of accidents, has been rehabilitated and upgraded to regional standards, making it a marvel to drive along.
The Mbudzi Interchange at the intersection of Chitungwiza, High Glen and Simon Mazorodze Roads is under construction as the Second Republic is seeking to decongest it.
The previous roundabout at the junction had become woefully inadequate to process the huge volumes of traffic especially during peak times.
The Beitbridge Border Post has been developed into a multi-million world class facility, which has become a marvel.
Realising that the travellers from the international community need to be treated to world standard situations, the Second Republic has superintended over the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, a project which was completed recently.
Many well-travelled Zimbabweans and other Africans have testified that the new airport is now world class in terms of architecture and facilities.
Before the coming in of the Second Republic as earlier said, electricity was a huge challenge and President Mnangagwa’s Government made sure that electricity is available to the people.
For that reason, Government embarked on the construction of the Hwange Power Station Generation Units 7 and 8 which are now feeding 600 megawatts to the national grid thereby ameliorating power shortages.
For the past four weeks, the country has been enjoying electricity with very minimum power outages.
Even manufacturing sector players, that had been forced to resort to night shifts to take advantage of the availability of power at night, have returned to normal shifts.
The Second Republic liberalised the buying and selling of oil products thereby making it possible for those with free funds to import the same and selling them to the public.
This has removed pressure from Government. This initiative banished the long fuel queues as fuel is always available throughout the country.
The above mentioned are part of the economic developments spearheaded by President Mnangagwa since November 2017 when he assumed office.
With the Zimbabwe dollar firming against the United States dollar, there is nothing which can stop ZANU PF and President Mnangagwa from retaining power through a thunderous electoral victory.
Although the country is not yet completely out of the woods socio-economically, it is on the right path and moving in the right direction.
Some economic saboteurs had tried to create chaos in the economy just after President Mnangagwa proclaimed dates for harmonised general elections.
They wanted to create socio-economic difficulties for the electorate so it would vote for the opposition in protest against their economic circumstances.
The Second Republic came up with economic interventions that have tamed the skyrocketing exchange rate and basic commodity prices.
Some companies especially bakeries such as Bakers Inn have already begun to respond to the benefits of the interventions by reducing the price of its bread which had been forced to skyrocket the economic saboteurs who were bent on creating socio-economic mayhem in the country.
In view of the foregoing Government interventions in the economy and the people’s joy with their results, the recent Afrobarometer poll which indicated that President Mnangagwa is poised to trounce CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa in this year’s elections is, therefore, not surprising.
Given the economic developments that have been taking place in the country and ZANU PF’s high level of mobilisation, nothing can stop the party’s imminent victory.
Given that electoral stakes are ranged against the opposition, what is left is for its members to get ready to accept defeat when elections are held and the results announced so that the country can move on peacefully.
It is good for the opposition’s political and mental health to begin embracing the hard reality of a definite defeat that awaits them next month. No miracle from any quarter can save them from this one.
Online Reporter