daniel chigunwe
Zvamaida Murwira and Gibson Nyikadzino
DESPITE enduring the baneful yoke of illegal sanctions and climate-induced disasters, Zanu PF has registered unprecedented success and milestones under the Second Republic, both at the party and Government levels, President Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing the 25th session of the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the successes registered thus far are drawn from sacrifices made by Zimbabwe’s heroes and heroines, who are the source of inspiration to the party and nation.
Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has made significant strides in several cross-cutting sectors through the implementation of key pillars highlighted in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to attain Vision 2030 goals.
“The sacrifice of many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, which brought about independence and freedom, is a source of inspiration to the party and the people of our great country. This has seen us achieving unprecedented success milestones under the Second Republic. Zanu PF continues to stand with the people of our beloved motherland in the face of illegal sanctions and climate-induced disasters, among other challenges. Zanu PF is one with the people,” said President Mnangagwa.
He commended the party leadership for steering development in the country that has not left anyone or place behind.
“I want to commend both the leadership and membership for the achievements we are attaining at both our party and Government levels. Through you, our party Zanu PF carries the weighty responsibility to facilitate development that leaves no one and no place behind. Let us use the positions we have in the party for development in communities we come from,” said President Mnangagwa.
Some of the signature projects registered by the Second Republic include the magnificent Trabablas interchange, which he urged members of the party to visit and appreciate.
The President said the Trabablas Traffic Interchange, which he commissioned recently, was constructed by local engineers, adding that more road rehabilitation projects were underway.
“Zanu PF-led programmes and projects are inclusive and are being undertaken in all provinces, districts and wards. Resources for the rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of our country’s roads have been mobilised, with works having started in most areas. I was pleased to commission one of Zanu PF’s signature projects, the Trabablas Traffic Interchange. This project is a befitting showcase of Zimbabwean talent, ingenuity and potential. Similar infrastructure will be rolled out in more cities across the country,” said President Mnangagwa.
Other projects that are being undertaken by the Second Republic include the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation, Birchenough-Chipinge, Murambinda-Mudanda, Gokwe-Nkayi, Kuwirirana-Nemangwe, Muzvezve-Empress Mine, Zvishavane-Rutenga and Beitbridge-Bulawayo, Murehwa-Madacheche, Headlands-Mayo and Harare Chirundu roads, among others.
“There is increased economic activity in the countryside, driven by our rural industrialisation projects and expanding mining sector. To release pressure off our roads, the resuscitation and modernisation of our national railways is now an urgent priority, which Government is seized with,” the President said.
“On the economic front, the measures the Government implemented to strengthen fiscal discipline and promote a stable currency mix are bearing fruit, with evident macro-economic stability. I commend the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe, for the socio-economic progress we are making since adopting our gold-backed currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZIG). Investment by our local children and Zimbabweans in the Diaspora is applauded. This reflects the growing confidence and patriotism among our people towards our motherland, Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa also reminded NCA members of teachings from the late Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong’s philosophy that the party is the fish and the people are the water, and maintaining the fish-water relationship will see Zanu PF stay in power for a long time.
He warned the party against letting its guard down, but to remain vigilant and promote the interests of the party.
“Tiri musangano weruzhinji. Isu tiri hove, vanhu imvura. Hatisiyani nevanhu venyika yekwedu. Tikachengetedza izvi tinoramba tichitonga, tigotonga, tichingotonga, vanowukura vachingowukura. (We are a people’s party. We are the fish and people are the water; we are inseparable from the people. Once we realise that Zanu PF will remain in power for a long time.)
“Let us remain alert, focused and work harder to build, modernise and mobilise more people to join our colossal revolutionary mass party, Zanu PF. In doing so, let us remain steadfast”.
Turning to the significance of the NCA, President Mnangagwa said the party membership base must benefit from the wisdom and experience collectively shared by NCA members from the positions they have held at the party and Government levels.
“The NCA is, thus, challenged to continue playing its important role of helping to guide the party towards maintaining the correct ideological line, especially the youth. Through our concerted efforts, the unity, organisational and mobilisation prowess of Zanu PF must remain intact and should be carried forward to future cadres of the party.
“This is what was bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers and the many cadres that established and grew this mammoth revolutionary party.”
President Mnangagwa’s address to the NCA members completed three high-level Zanu PF meetings convened this week, including the Politburo and Central Committee sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Online Reporter