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Tongai Dana Correspondent
The recognition that politics plays a central role in shaping the prospects for development in the provinces, districts and constituencies, rich or poor, constitutes one of the most significant advances that political parties and practice in Zimbabwe have made in the Second Republic.
The issue has moved from being a marginal concern to be a widespread acceptance that politics is critical to the reduction of poverty and hence should be inclusive.
This manifests in President Mnangagwa’s modus operandi.
In speech he has always reiterated the link between development and politics and the significance of inclusive politics and inclusive development.
President Mnangagwa is saying politics should come after economics.
He links politics to economic growth which will ultimately result in development if we are to take the orthodox view of development where investments have an effect on such progress factors as health, education, working and market conditions with a focus on improving people’s standards of living.
Without inclusive approaches, there is a risk of having some places better off than others, hence President Mnangagwa is on record for his inclusive politics philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
For Zanu PF, the centrality of politics in development and inclusive politics for inclusive development has not been in words only, but action-oriented.
For example, the quota system that was adopted when Zimbabwe adopted a new Constitution in 2023, as a means of addressing women’s macro and micro level needs in society is one key inclusive politics milestone made at national political policy level.
In other countries and in various circumstances the quota system has been used to disempower and undermine women’s involvement in politics.
The ruling party has maintained the women quota system at political party level.
Zanu PF has maintained the reservation of 60 seats for women in the National Assembly.
Women are enjoying this right beyond the policy, applause to the First Secretary and Presidential candidate for Zanu PF, President Mnangagwa, who has an inclusive policy in his politics.
We have been given a sign that inclusive development is guaranteed if President Mnangagwa is re-elected.
Zanu PF under the stewardship President Mnangagwa, is operating in compliance with international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) signed in 1979 at the Beijing World Conference (1995) and United Nations Security Resolution 1325 (2000) combined with other progressive regional and national legislation on equal opportunities between sexes.
President Mnangagwa is not only concerned with domestic national inclusivity in politics and development, but is also setting an example to the world.
Women are safe with the President, Africa is safe with President Mnangagwa.
I can assure women’s lobby groups and gender activists who pushed for the inclusion of a quota system in the constitution making process that as soon as President Mnangagwa is re-elected into office on August 23, declared the winner within the accepted timeframe as provided by our national electoral laws and is sworn in, one of the key issues is to ensure the continuation of the women’s quota to achieve, or surpass gender parity in Parliament, joining ranks with Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda and Liberia, among others, who have done the same.
Zanu PF under President Mnangagwa has also made efforts to increase youth participation in politics.
For Zanu PF, it has not just been an issue of having youth voting for the ruling party, but ensuring that they are included as active participants and leaders in political and development processes.
Youth have been encouraged to take heed of their demographical advantage and their right to active public decision making to influence power.
The Second Republic, working with other political parties and concerned stakeholders, has made milestones in ensuring that peace prevails during elections.
There is consensus that peace is a pre-requisite to free, fair and credible elections during the 2023 harmonised elections.
This alone is a key step towards including youths in electoral politics.
The door has been opened and youths have found themselves grabbing positions within their political parties.
Thanks to the President’s inclusive politics for inclusive development: youths are safe with President Mnangagwa at the helm.
An important issue is the “leaving no one and no place behind” political philosophy by President Mnangagwa.
The President has always reiterated that a country is not developed by violence and quarrelling, but unity of purpose across provinces and districts and this is possible by making sure that “no place is left behind”.
President Mnangagwa has since revealed that devolution is an important building block to the achievement of Vision 2030.
This is not just political bantering, but there is action to it.
Government has been implementing devolution not merely as a political empowerment tool, but as a means to achieve equitable economic development and equalisation for all parts of our country.
That is a good example of inclusive development.
Politically, Zanu PF launched its election campaign for the 2023 harmonised elections in Chipinge on Saturday last week.
In the 2018 harmonised elections, the launch was done in Harare.
By opting for Chipinge, Zanu PF is demonstrating that its politics is not just about the capital, but all areas that make Zimbabwe; all in the spirit of inclusive politics.
All roads were leading to Chipinge for the launch and this is a sign that Zanu PF is about Zimbabwe, not just the capital and other cities.
Every place and location that makes Zimbabwe, including those considered remote, are in President Mnangagwa’s mind when it comes to development.
President Mnangagwa is on record saying he is committed to the Constitutional concept of devolution and its full implementation will ensure Zimbabweans benefit from the natural resources in their localities.
Even those who were once denied certain rights and participation in the country’s politics and development for various political reasons are being allowed back and welcomed back to contribute as long as they are genuine in making Zimbabwe better.
Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
Online Reporter