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Tapiwa Muruviwa, Herald Correspondent
The ruling party ZANU PF originated as a liberation and revolutionary movement well-known for its fight against white colonial rule.
As such, history has demonstrated that, this impact and the legacy is primarily the bedrock of the party’s political support in Zimbabwe.
Essentially, Zimbabwe’s political sphere evidently depicts the Zanu PF as a progressive party that is widely known for knitting grounded and well-researched polices, which are mostly the expressions of the aspirations and interests of the people of Zimbabwe.
This is the reason why today the people of Zimbabwe across all walks of life often rally behind the party’s ideological political and visionary guidance in attaining socio-economic development in our life time.
Recently, the ruling party wrapped its 21st Annual National People’s Conference that significantly fine-tuned its policies and adopted new ones, which among others, geared at renewal and socio-economic transformation.
In essence, there is a consensus that is clearly embraced by academics and policy analyst that the ZANU PF has emerged stronger and more effective with a renewed sense to tackle critical national issues.
It is on this basis that revolutionary movements across the African perpetuate their existence and dominance in power. By and large, it is through the party leadership’s strong political will and altruism that will make these resolutions see the light of day.
By tradition, ZANU PF conferences have been dominated by socio-economic spheres however, this time the issue of organisational renewal and the Chitepo School of ideology has also taken centre stage.
Let me start off by saying, the party’s 21st Annual National People’s Conference has seen some clear markers laid down on the significance of political education.
The resolution to call on all party members to attend the Chitepo School of ideology is a noble idea.
In recent time’s political education has been gaining momentum within the ruling party permeating deep into the party’s echelons.
Apart from empowering party cadres with comprehensive understanding of the party’s history, principles and values, the bearings of the Chitepo School of ideology are anchored on improving intellectual capacity in analysis of the contemporary political and socio-economic landscape. Political education relevant for the politics of modernity and that is the actual reason why other revolutionary parties in particular the African National Congress (ANC) of South African rolled out compulsory political education.
Most importantly, this resolution goes hand in glove with organisational renewal that ensures all party members are equipped with knowledge and moral orientation.
That is in itself an important approach in ensuring commitment and allegiance to the party.
The resolution to embark on an accelerated development programme to reduce the power generation deficit is critical towards pursued industrialisation.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has been experiencing energy crisis characterised with repeated and prolonged electricity blackouts.
As such, the ZANU PF’s resolution on energy broadly identifies the current challenges affecting the country. The commitment to address energy deficit clearly demonstrates how the party is keen to fine-tune Zimbabwe’s socio-economic trajectory. Equally so, as the country moves towards the attainment of an upper middle income society by 2030, sufficient energy generation and supply is key in enhancing sustainable economic growth and development.
The current leadership of President Mnangagwa will make these adopted resolutions see the day of light.
Similarly, the adopted resolution to increase rural electrification with focus on renewable energy is significant in empowering and transforming marginalised rural communities.
This resolution signalled a commitment to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and most importantly, it aligns with the dreams and visions of the Second Republic administration, of ensuring that all rural communities have access to electricity in line with the National Development Strategy 1.
In addition, the resolution to intensify efforts on value addition and beneficiation of all resource endowments is not only a matter of enhancing trade but also of pursued industrialisation.
This resolution largely signals a renewed commitment by the ruling party to align the country on a path of industrialisation and sustainable development.
For years, economists argued that Zimbabwe has had been largely reliant on an export chain structure dominated by primary commodities to the global markets.
Nonetheless, moving forward the party aims to pursue with rigour efforts to add value to the country’s natural resources.
An efficient value addition and beneficiation project anchored on industrialisation significantly propels Zimbabwe to accomplish its current development agenda towards Vision 2030.
Furthermore, effective incentive programme to encourage corporate social responsibility among corporates is a key resolution that will see local communities benefiting in particular from foreign entities operating in their communities.
A number of scholars argue that, a debate has constantly existed among those who support the idea that CSR should be conducted on a voluntary basis and those who consider that CSR must be regulated and enforced by national governments. Be that as it may, the party’s resolution to encourage CSR is critical. It enables for positive contribution through community empowerment, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, capacity building and livelihoods enhancement.
The significance of ZANU PF in Zimbabwe’s political landscape is largely related to how the party often strives to offer grounded and well-researched polices, which are mostly the expressions of the aspirations and interests of the people.
The best way to achieve the development of local communities is through regulation of business’ social responsibilities.
Lastly, the resolution to promote public-private partnerships to support provincial economic development is key in national development.
It is important to engage private players to partner with Government to undertake certain developmental capital projects.
The bearing of this resolution lies at centre of grassroots development, which is relevant to the contemporary developmental patterns.
This resolution on public-private partnership will enable a bottom-up approach with development emerging at a provincial level cascading right to national level.
It must be mentioned that, all the resolutions adopted at the ZANU PF’s 21st Annual National People’s Conference set the tone for Zimbabwe’s political and socio-economic development.
Online Reporter