Chronicle Editor
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
TO achieve the ambitious goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030, Zimbabwe will need to sharply accelerate productivity growth and this will require concerted efforts from all sectors of the country, including the Government, businesses, and individuals.
This ambitious plan should be supported by everyone, including Government officials, economic experts, the business community, and politicians.
All must embrace the agenda and put in place strategies that promote development. Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 was adopted in 2018. It is now essential, if not pragmatic, to raise this issue, given that the clock is ticking and Zimbabwe’s aspirational aim to become an upper middle-class society has less than six years to be accomplished.
Vision 2030, a blueprint for Zimbabwe’s rapid economic growth and attainment of empowered upper-middle-income status, has garnered regional admiration.
Sadc countries have also taken note of Zimbabwe’s ambitious plan and expressed their support and desire to emulate it.
Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 has gained recognition for its comprehensive approach to economic development, encompassing various sectors such as agriculture, industry, mining, tourism, and infrastructure development.
The plan outlines specific targets and strategies to boost productivity, create jobs, and improve living standards. To attain Vision 2030, there is a need for stakeholders from all sectors of the economy to work together.
By working together, stakeholders can create a more united and cohesive effort towards achieving Vision 2030. This will require strong leadership, effective communication, and a shared commitment to the vision of a prosperous and empowered Zimbabwe.
There is also a need for more platforms where Government officials, economic experts, the business community, and politicians can converge and express their willingness to collaborate and share expertise to steer our nation toward a prosperous future.
The upcoming Zanu-PF National People’s Conference to be held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo from October 22 to 27 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.
In essence, the Zanu-PF People’s Conference, which will run under the theme, “Industrialise, Modernise Towards Vision 2030,” can play a crucial role in driving Zimbabwe’s progress towards Vision 2030 by aligning party policies with national development goals, mobilising support for Vision 2030, ensuring accountability and performance, and fostering national unity and reconciliation.
The conference theme speaks to the journey the country has to traverse to attain upper middle-income status by 2030. It highlights the need for Zimbabwe to undergo a significant transformation, characterised by industrialisation and modernisation, in order to achieve its ambitious economic goals.
Industrialisation and modernisation are key drivers of economic growth and development. The conference is also being held at a time when the Government has stepped up efforts to improve the status of the country by putting in place strategies that promote development.
Upon assuming office, the President of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, Cde Mnangagwa, led the Government in crafting the Vision 2030 programme, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. Vision 2030 outlines a comprehensive plan for Zimbabwe’s economic development.
There is no doubt that the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference provides an opportunity for the party to assess the progress made towards achieving Vision 2030 and discuss strategies for further advancing the country’s development.
By aligning party policies with the goals of Vision 2030, the conference can help mobilise support, ensure accountability, and foster national unity in pursuit of a prosperous and empowered Zimbabwe. During the conference, key economic ministries are expected to present comprehensive reports on the implementation of Government programmes.
This will enable delegates to assess the progress made by the Zanu-PF Government in implementing programmes that transform people’s livelihoods.
In a recent update ahead of the conference, party chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, said the gathering would critique the implementation of key policies and guide the party towards continued dominance.
“This year’s conference is not just a gathering of party members but a critical policy review platform. We will take a hard look at our policies and refine them to ensure that they are in line with our national goals, particularly economic growth and sustainable development,” she said.
“The outcomes of this conference will set the tone for Zanu-PF’s continued leadership as we drive towards Vision 2030. Together, as one united party, we will steer our nation towards a prosperous future.
“I look forward to the rich debates and forward-thinking resolutions that will come out of this conference, and I am confident that it will be a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey towards greatness.”
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, is expected to provide a report on the state of the economy and guiding strategies for future growth.
Similarly, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Cde Winston Chitando, will provide an update on the mining sector, while Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, will give a detailed report on the state of agriculture, including this year’s challenges such as the drought that severely affected the country.
It is clear from Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri that the conference can serve as a powerful platform to rally party members and supporters behind the Vision 2030 agenda.
By providing a space for open dialogue, idea exchange, and strategic planning, the conference can help clarify and communicate the key objectives and priorities of Vision 2030, mobilise grassroots support through targeted outreach and engagement campaigns, foster a sense of shared purpose among party members and supporters, and identify potential challenges and obstacles to achieving Vision 2030 as well as develop strategies to overcome them.
It is clear that the conference can serve as a valuable platform for evaluating progress towards Vision 2030. Party leaders can assess the effectiveness of implemented policies, identify areas for improvement, and hold stakeholders accountable for their performance.
This accountability is essential to ensure that the vision remains on track and that Zimbabwe continues to make progress towards its development goals.
To attain Vision 2030, President Mnangagwa is always on record saying captains of industry and commerce must also be proactive in supporting agriculture and its attendant value chain.
The President’s call for proactive support from the private sector is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to partnering with businesses to achieve Vision 2030.
By working together, the Government and the private sector can create a more prosperous and sustainable future for Zimbabwe.
During the recent launch of a Vision 2030 Manual, a comprehensive book with clear guidelines for the delivery of a national planning process in Harare, think tanks were also encouraged to play a crucial role in fast-tracking Zimbabwe’s development agenda towards achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Bongani Ndlovu