Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU PF is actively drawing inspiration from China’s governance and economic frameworks to drive its own national development, ZANU PF Secretary General Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said.
He made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the ruling party’s National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, at the unveiling of the ‘Research Centre for President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’, in Tanzania on Wednesday.
Southern Africa’s six historic liberation movements: ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe), CCM (Tanzania), ANC (South Africa), SWAPO (Namibia), FRELIMO (Mozambique), and MPLA (Angola) are attending a weeklong workshop in Tanzania with the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Advocate Mudenda said President Mnangagwa “attaches profound value to the enduring bilateral relations between our party and the CPC”.
“The experiences of the CPC and the evolution of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era have provided valuable development insights to many developing nations, including Zimbabwe,” Advocate Mudenda told delegates. “China’s remarkable transformation under the leadership of the CPC demonstrates that ideological clarity, disciplined leadership, people-centred governance and long-term planning are essential pillars for sustainable national development.”
He said that the new centre represents a “centre of excellence of ideas, reflection, education, innovation and strategic thought leadership”.
Noting that the centre will become an invaluable platform for advancing common ideas and promoting ideological dialogue, Advocate Mudenda said it would greatly facilitate policy research and the exchange of developmental experiences among revolutionary parties.
While acknowledging Beijing’s influence, Advocate Mudenda said that Zimbabwe is adapting China’s core principles to fit its own cultural and historic context.
He drew a direct parallel between China’s self-reliance strategy and Zimbabwe’s current domestic policy under President Mnangagwa.
“In Zimbabwe, we have equally drawn inspiration from the Chinese development model as we continue to advance our own development philosophy rooted in our history, culture and national heritage. Under the leadership of His Excellency President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is guided by the philosophy of ‘Nyika Inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe Lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo— meaning that a nation is built by its own people. This philosophy promotes patriotism, self-reliance, innovation and collective responsibility in national development.”
According to Advocate Mudenda, this philosophy underpins the country’s “Vision 2030″ agenda, which aims to “transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy through industrialisation, infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation, innovation and value addition.”
He lauded the donation of President Xi Jinping’s written works, describing them as an “enduring reservoir of ideas, experiences, philosophies and strategic guidance for future generations.”
Also, he urged other African leaders to follow Beijing’s example of intellectual preservation.
