Chronicle Editor
By Johnsias Mutonhori
The Zanu-Pf inter-district youth meeting in Gweru recently was dominated by calls for President Mnangagwa to complete his vision of building Zimbabwe to an upper middle class, despite his latest statement that he is going to retire at the end of his term in 2028.
The youths believed that the one who initiates a journey possesses the inherent understanding and vision necessary to bring it to fruition.
President Mnangagwa when he came to office envisioned transforming Zimbabwe to an upper-middle-income economy, with a per capita Gross National Income of over US$5000 in real terms by 2030.
This follows the launch of Vision 2030 in September 2018 to chart Zimbabwe’s new development trajectory to achieve an Upper Middle Income Society by 2030, for an empowered and prosperous Zimbabwe.
The Vision reflects the collective aspirations and determination of the people of Zimbabwe to achieve and sustain economic growth, and broad-based transformation while conferring equal opportunities for all.
This is anchored on the development of the economy philosophy, leaving no one and no place behind, a holistic approach that had already started bearing fruits, benefiting all and sundry.
To achieve this, President Mnangagwa implemented the Transitional Stabilization Program in October 2018 which served as a short-term economic reform program to stabilize the country’s economy and lay the groundwork for sustainable development.
The National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which serves as a successor to TSP was later introduced as a medium-term development plan that covers 2021 to 2025 to guide Zimbabwe’s economic and social development.
Furthermore, the NDS1 is steering the economy onto a growth path to realize an average of 5 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate per annum over the Strategy Period.
NDS2 is expected to succeed NDS1 from 2026 up to the realization of 2030.
Smooth moving as it was from the launch of the National Development Strategy, the youth feel short-changed, for President Mnangagwa to retire before the realization of this vision.
Zanu-PF youth league national secretary for legal affairs Cde Phinious Makombe who is also a provincial council representative for the Midlands said, it is President Mnangagwa who carries the inspiration of Zimbabweans, commitment and a deep understanding of Vision 2030.
“As youth, we are saying, we want President Mnangagwa to continue leading us until we realize his 2030 vision.
“We are there to support him and the vision of a prosperous Zimbabwe.
“As youths, if we are given a chance to choose a candidate for 2028 we are going to choose President Mnangagwa,” he said.
“Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, we have witnessed the mushrooming of signature projects in all sectors across the country that have benefited youths and the generality of Zimbabweans.
“So we are saying let us allow our visionary leader to continue leading us until we realize that vision in 2030,” he added.
The National youth leadership is on a nationwide interface with provincial youths under the leadership of National Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Tino Machakaire and his deputy John Paradza.
Speaking in an interview after the meeting, Cde Machakaire said he is gathering what the youths want and presenting it to higher national leadership for consideration.
“As the leader of the youths, I came to hear what the youths want and I will take it to the national leadership.
“Among them, the youths want President Mnangagwa to continue to build Zimbabwe for the prosperity of this country.
Cde Paradza also shared the same sentiments, highlighting that the president had already laid a foundation for Vision 2030 and we will be behind him until 2030.
“We heard that youths in the Midlands want to stand with President Mnangagwa, and as the youth leadership, we are going to consider that, and defend the president and the party.
“We are going with him until we realize his vision in 2030”, he said.
Online Reporter