We must consolidate our gains

Fellow Zimbabweans, I greet you all my dear compatriots, both at home and abroad.

BELOW, we reproduce President Mnangagwa’s New Year’s message that was delivered at State House in Harare yesterday. **************

AS the curtain for the year 2023 comes down, we reflect as families and communities on the year that has gone by while setting our focus for the year ahead.

We thank the Lord Almighty for His grace and mercy, which saw us through an eventful year, as we march towards the attainment of Vision 2030.

Fellow countrymen, the Second Republic continued to deliver in 2023, consolidating our gains in self-sufficiency through the prioritisation of investments in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure, among others, to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for our citizens.

With regards to mitigating the effects of climate change and enhancing food self-sufficiency at the household level, more land was put under irrigation.

I commend our farmers for the unprecedented harvests which have seen our nation become food-secure. Our Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming model continues to grow from strength to strength, with our counterparts in the region and beyond emulating it as a model for food security.

In the mining sector, we have surpassed the US$12 billion target.

Our focus going into the future is set towards scaling up value addition and beneficiation of our abundant natural resource endowments for the benefit of our local communities and economy.

Works on the Beitbridge-Harare road are almost complete, whilst those on other trunk and feeder roads are underway.

This will ensure ease of access for people and goods, while maintaining our position as a transit route of choice within the region.

The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport upgrade and expansion project is now complete. To this end, Zimbabwe is an accessible tourism and investment destination.

I am encouraged by the increased number of both local and international tourists visiting our country.

Equally, investments in new tourism products and facilities which bolstered the growth of the sector are a welcome development.

As we drive towards energy self-sufficiency, I was enthused to commission the Hwange Unit 7 and Unit 8 Expansion Project.

Zimbabwe has exceeded expectations in the agriculture sector this year

The discovery of oil and gas in Muzarabani confirms Zimbabwe’s potential as a future producer of gas. This should translate into meeting our energy demands, commensurate to the ever-growing economy.

During the past year, several dams were

completed, and the accompanying irrigation schemes commissioned.

This was complemented by the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, which targets sinking a solar-powered borehole, as well as the establishment of a nutrition garden and business unit in each of our country’s 35 000 villages.

With regards to manufacturing, locally manufactured products continue to dominate shelf space.

To consolidate these gains, the Second Republic prioritises investments in science, technology and innovation.

These will leapfrog the sustainable socio-economic development of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.

Under the devolution and decentralisation agenda, grassroots communities are playing a pivotal role in addressing their local development needs.

In the same vein, the historic celebration of our 43rd Independence Day in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central province, reignited the sacred memories of our liberation struggle.

Meanwhile, the sports, arts and cultural industry continues to grow, with a number of athletes and artists raising our national flag at both continental and international level.

Fellow Zimbabweans, on the diplomatic front, the election of Zimbabwe as incoming chairman of the Southern African Development Community is both a recognition and honour to the nation as a founding member of the organisation.

Meanwhile, I extend my gratitude for the confidence that the people of Zimbabwe expressed in me as President and in the revolutionary mass party, ZANU PF, in the harmonised general elections held in August 2023.

Furthermore, I am grateful to our churches and you all for the peace, unity, love and harmony before, during and after the election period.

Indeed, we are a mature constitutional democracy. As sovereign people and descendants of Munhumutapa, in 2024, we need to work harder together in unity for the prosperity of our nation.

Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.

Finally, may our country continue to enjoy prosperity and our people live in harmony.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

God bless you.

God bless Zimbabwe.

I thank you!

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