Zim development agenda well on course
…as President Mnangagwa lives up to his promises
SOON, the Second Republic will be five months into its second term with indications on the ground pointing that Government was well on course to transforming the living standards of Zimbabweans in different parts of the country.
The Second Republic’s development agenda remains rooted in the country’s national development philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatirwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa lubuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.”
The philosophy itself being informed by pro-people policies, is anchored on Pan-African values and norms as enunciated by President Mnangagwa during his September 4 2023 inauguration speech.
In that very speech that set the tone of his second term, President Mnangagwa made a pledge to guarantee household and national food security through robust agricultural policies; committed to the transformation of the living standards of our people, especially in the rural communities, while also attending to the concerns of those in urban areas.
President Mnangagwa also underscored that rural development would be anchored on robust rural agriculture industrialisation models.
It is heartening to note that Government ministers have hit the ground running bringing to life President Mnangagwa’s action plan. Indeed the year 2024 is a year of action. It is clear that under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, citizens should brace for improved service delivery; food security; rural industrialisation, mining growth and an inclusive development approach amongst others.
Improved service delivery
In line with President Mnangagwa’s call to enhance service delivery in urban areas, a call for all local town planners to submit their Master Plans by 30 June 2024, has been made. The Master Plans are informed by the Government’s blue print dubbed “Call to action: No compromise to service delivery,” a 2023 brainchild of the Second Republic.
Noteworthy is that, during the last 20 years or so, the country has seen service delivery plummeting in most urban local authorities thanks to the ineptitude of the opposition party that continues to be entrusted by the electorate. President Mnangagwa’s decision to intervene in the running of local authorities, first by demanding updated Master Plans is a game-changer that will certainly go a long way in improving service delivery as well as accountability by the City Fathers.
This defining moment will indeed redefine the urban political landscape as we head towards 2028.
It is sad to note that Harare City Council has been operating using an outdated 1993 Master Plan resulting in the parcelling out of land in areas like wetlands, servitudes and communal areas.
Food security
In line with Government’s efforts to reclaim the country’s breadbasket status, at least eight irrigation schemes are set to be commissioned in the first quarter of this year. The irrigation schemes are also part of President Mnangagwa’s grand plan to turn villages into green belts in pursuit of the rural industrialisation agenda as well as the broader Vision 2030.
Some of the irrigation schemes set to be commissioned include; Sakare B Mt Darwin; Mopane in Sanyati; Nyamuswe, Guruve; Musarevema, Mwenezi: Masholomoshe, Gwanda; Chibuwe, Chipinge, Nyamawanga, Zvimba and Mamina in Mhondoro. A cumulative total of 1 606 households expected to benefit from a total hectarage of 811 ha.
Government intends to at least put 220 000 hectares under irrigation as part of the wholesome strategy to mitigate against climate change. Government has identified irrigation schemes as pivotal in the face of climate change.
Mining
It is refreshing to see how President Mnangagwa continues to bring smiles on the faces of people living in mining communities that had become ghost towns. About 30 years after Kamativi Tin Mine shut down, President Mnangagwa’s midas touch has awakened the mining town. Discovery of lithium deposits at the disused mine gave it a new lease of life with Government through ZMDC courting a Chinese investor, Sichuan Pude Technology Group, resulting in the establishment of the Kamativi Mining Company (KMC). KMC recently commissioned its phase one modern lithium processing plant at a cost of US$10 million, in what is seen as a significant step for Zimbabwe’s mining industry.
Still in the mining sector, the US$1.5 billion steel plant in Manhize, Mvuma by Dinson Iron and Steel Company is also being touted as a game changer in reducing the country’s import bill, particularly steel imports.
Surely, each passing day leaves an imprint of President Mnangagwa’s legacy projects as the country races towards achieving the upper middle-income economy status by the year 2030.