Zanu PF conference, roadmap to Vision 2030

Gibson Mhaka

Zimpapers Politics Hub

SINCE assuming office in 2017 as the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, President Mnangagwa has ensured the party remains the driving force for peaceful development and accelerated economic growth.

As a colossal mass revolutionary party with a storied history and rich cultural heritage, ZANU PF is rooted in the country’s liberation struggle.

Under the ZANU PF-led Government, President Mnangagwa assured the nation that the rise of Zimbabwe was unstoppable.

With his sights set on a bold and ambitious future, President Mnangagwa championed Vision 2030, a long-term plan designed to transform the country into a thriving, sustainable and globally competitive nation.

This national development strategy aims to achieve an upper-middle-income economy characterised by sustainable growth, social equity, and inclusive prosperity.

President Mnangagwa has repeatedly highlighted that for the country to attain Vision 2030; stakeholders must work together.

He has assured the nation that the Government will continue to create a conducive economic environment for the success of all investments.

To ensure this vision remains a tangible goal, the Government has also consistently aligned national events with the objectives of Vision 2030.

State functions, including Independence Day and Heroes’ Day celebrations, are themed around achieving Vision 2030, reinforcing its importance to the public.

The ZANU PF Annual People’s Conferences have also been serving as a crucial platform to strategise and mobilise the party’s base to fulfil this ambitious national agenda, ensuring that the vision remains a central part of both Government policy and party action.

In this way, the conferences serve as a platform for progress and a roadmap to Vision 2030.

For example, the upcoming 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference, to be held at Mutare Polytechnic in Manicaland from October 13 to 18, will focus on the state of the economy in line with Vision 2030.

ZANU PF National Chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, revealed that the conference will be held under the theme: “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition.”

This theme is a strategic statement that aligns the party’s political agenda with the Second Republic’s overarching national development goals.

More than just a slogan, it serves as a policy directive, a progress report, and a future roadmap directly tied to the party’s goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

The focus on “economic empowerment” directly addresses the need to uplift the livelihoods of ordinary citizens by creating opportunities and ensuring they benefit from economic growth.

“Value addition,” meanwhile, is a clear directive to move beyond exporting raw materials and instead process them within the country, thereby creating more jobs, increasing export revenue and stimulating industrial growth.

It is important to note that the conference is a significant and ideal platform for the ruling party to reflect on its commitment to the collective aspirations and determination of the people of Zimbabwe towards a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.

The conference is being held at a time the Government has stepped up efforts to improve the status of the country by putting in place strategies that promote development.

The Government has already laid the groundwork for these advancements through initiatives like Education 5.0, the establishment of innovation hubs, and industrial parks at tertiary institutions, aligning with its broader vision of a modern and industrialised Zimbabwe by 2030.

The theme underscores the party’s commitment to driving national growth through science, research, technology, and innovation.

In essence, the ZANU PF People’s Conference is playing a crucial role in driving Zimbabwe’s progress towards Vision 2030 by aligning party policies with national development goals, mobilising support, ensuring accountability and fostering national unity and reconciliation.

The conference provides a crucial platform for ZANU PF to discuss key national issues, solidify its strategies, and reinforce its dedication to the country’s progress.

ZANU PF Manicaland provincial spokesperson, Cde Phillip Guyo, alluded to this, stating that the conference will provide a platform for them to contribute directly to policy discussions and resolutions that will shape the future direction of the party and a collective commitment to achieving the party’s goals and Vision 2030.

“This initiative brings the national agenda closer to our grassroots – specifically Resolution Number 1 of 2024.

“The conference will also serve to galvanise our party structures in Manicaland, reinforcing unity, strengthening grassroots mobilisation efforts, and demonstrating collective commitment to achieving the party’s goals and Vision 2030 – to ultimately transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy,” said Cde Guyo.

Hence, adding a theme like Vision 2030 to the ZANU PF conference is crucial because it ensures that national development goals are not just abstract ideas, but are actively integrated into the party’s agenda.

By centring the event around this theme, the party elevates the national vision from a government policy to a central political objective, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility among its members.

This alignment helps mobilise the party’s base and cadres at all levels, from the Politburo down to the grassroots, to actively work towards achieving the goals of an upper-middle-income economy.

It also serves as a platform to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and recalibrate strategies, ensuring that the party’s actions remain focused on the long-term prosperity of Zimbabwe.

The conference provides a crucial platform for ZANU PF to discuss key national issues, solidify strategies, and reinforce its dedication to national progress.

The decision to rotate the ZANU PF conference across provinces is a reflection of the party’s commitment to inclusivity and national visibility, which is vital for the attainment of Vision 2030.

This initiative goes beyond simple logistics; it’s a strategic move to decentralise the national agenda and bring it directly to the people.

By holding the conference in different provinces, the party fosters a sense of ownership among local communities, ensuring that the national vision is not just a top-down policy but a collective effort.

This aligns with the principles of devolution, a key pillar of Vision 2030, which is essential for achieving an upper-middle-income economy by ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and reaches all parts of the country. This policy empowers provincial and local governments with greater autonomy and financial resources, allowing them to manage their own affairs and initiate development projects tailored to their specific needs.

By decentralising power and resources, devolution encourages provincial economies to flourish, unlocking local potential in sectors like agriculture, mining, and tourism.

This approach directly contributes to a more balanced national economy and helps in the equitable distribution of wealth, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind in the journey toward a prosperous and empowered society.