Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship Alumni Association (ZPSAA) has stepped up its nationwide outreach programme aimed at educating citizens on the provisions and developmental significance of the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, as part of broader efforts to support Government policy direction and national development aspirations under Vision 2030.
The association, which brings together beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarship programme, is engaging communities across provinces through structured dialogues, public awareness campaigns and interactive sessions designed to simplify the contents of the proposed constitutional changes.
ZPSAA vice chairperson Dr Limukani Mathe said the outreach initiative was being carried out voluntarily, driven by the association’s conviction that the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill carries significant implications for Zimbabwe’s long-term economic growth and governance stability.
“We are moving across provinces, including Harare Metropolitan Province and into other regions, assisting communities to understand what the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill stands for and unpacking the contents within its clauses,” said Dr Mathe.
“We are doing this voluntarily as an association because we recognise the importance of the Bill in advancing economic development. Our focus as ZPSAA is to place economic development at the centre of national discourse.”
Dr Mathe said the association views the proposed changes as a progressive step towards reducing the frequency of electoral cycles, which he noted often disrupt policy continuity and long-term planning.
“We appreciate the broader thrust of the Bill, particularly its orientation towards minimising frequent elections in favour of sustained development. As an organisation, we are more interested in seeing the country grow its economy rather than placing undue emphasis on recurrent electoral processes,” he said.
He added that a stable governance framework is critical in enabling Government to effectively implement development blueprints such as Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
ZPSAA chairperson Mr Roncemore Mhlanga said the outreach programme has so far covered several communities, particularly in Harare, where engagements have been held in areas such as Mabvuku, Epworth and other high-density suburbs.
“As ZPSAA, we are moving around the country to educate people on the importance and positive impact of the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill on their daily lives,” said Mr Mhlanga.
“In Harare, we have already engaged communities in areas such as Mabvuku and Epworth, and we are continuing with the programme in other provinces to ensure that no one is left behind.”
Mr Mhlanga said feedback from the outreach sessions indicates that many Zimbabweans already have an appreciation of the Bill and its intended benefits.
“What we have observed during our engagements is that people are largely aware of what the Bill entails and the positive effects it is expected to bring. This level of awareness is encouraging and reflects a generally positive reception from the public,” he said.
He noted that the association’s efforts are aligned with Government’s broader thrust of fostering an informed citizenry that actively participates in national development processes.
ZPSAA said its outreach model is anchored on research-based dissemination of information, ensuring that citizens receive accurate, clear and accessible explanations of constitutional provisions and their implications.
The association reiterated its support for Government programmes and policies aimed at driving socio-economic transformation, emphasising that young professionals have a critical role to play in advancing national development objectives.
Through its initiatives, ZPSAA continues to position itself as a key stakeholder in promoting civic education, policy awareness and youth participation in governance issues, in line with Zimbabwe’s development trajectory under Vision 2030.
The outreach programme is expected to expand to all provinces in the coming weeks as the association scales up efforts to deepen public understanding and encourage constructive engagement on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill.
Online Reporter