By Lungile Siziba
Citizens who have committed to develop their countries across the world have largely defied all odds and succeeded.
President Mnangagwa has rallied Zimbabweans to work together, each one in their own way, towards building their country “brick by brick, stone upon stone”.
The construction of the country by its people is in full swing, with various landmark developments such as the Beitbridge Border Post modernisation, the upgrade of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the construction of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway and many other roads, having already been done.
Work has started on the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Mutare Christmas Pass by-pass as well as Harare-Chirundu Highway.
Construction of the Mbudzi Interchange in Harare to reduce congestion is in full swing.
President Mnangagwa said most of the projects undertaken by his administration to date, are enhancing internal connectivity as well as establishing Zimbabwe as a regional gateway into the continent.
In Mashonaland Central, works are set to be accelerated on the following road networks: Harare-Bindura-Shamva; Bindura-Matepatepa-Mt. Darwin; Chimhanda-Rushinga; Muzarabani-Mahuwe; St Alberts-Dotito and Harare-Guruve-Kanyemba Road as well as the Ndodahondo-Mukumbura Border Post.
To boost agriculture in an era of climate change where rains have become erratic, the Second Republic is constructing 12 high-impact dams across the country.
In his address during the 43rd Independence Day celebrations in Mt Darwin, President Mnangagwa said the atmosphere that existed on April 18 at the venue for the commemorations, must evoke among “all of us hope and a resolute determination to realise Vision 2030” of an empowered upper middle-income society.
The President said the theme for this year’s celebrations; ‘Zim at 43: Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/ Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo: Brick upon Brick’, was a clarion reminder to everyone of the weighty responsibility of developing the country.
“None but ourselves have this onerous obligation. As it was during our struggle for Independence, friends and partners are welcome to assist us, but always on our terms and according to our defined υυυ
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“Together in unity, we will guard and defend our Independence, we will work hard for the prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe.
“Long live our Independence! We are a fearless, resolute and unrelenting people. In spite of the many hurdles that our country has been subjected to, including the 23 years of illegal sanctions, our Flame of Independence, forever burns.”
Key milestones achieved since 2018
President Mnangagwa said the successes realised by the Second Republic since 2018, are irreversible.
To date, his administration has implemented about 7 000 high impact, life-changing projects to lift people out of poverty into prosperity.
The notable expansion, productivity and profitability of entities across all sectors of the economy have seen Zimbabwe recording the highest GDP growth in the SADC region.
As efforts to rebuild the country on the back of investor friendly policies introduced by the Second Republic, Zimbabwe generated US$11,6 billion in foreign currency last year, the highest figure since Independence.
Of the figure, US$7,4 billion came from exports, with Diaspora remittances – which is money sent by Zimbabweans living and working abroad – accounting for US$1,65 billion.
President Mnangagwa called on all people to continue to fully utilise internal resources to modernise and industrialise the country for a higher quality of life for everyone.
In the agriculture sector, the Government is targeting to continue growing the sector, anchored by an assortment of policies.
“Under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, our people are being supported to grow traditional grains and cereals. More and more households are moving from subsistence farming to undertaking farming as a business.
“This 2022/2023 season, our country is projecting over 3,2 million tonnes of cereals against an annual requirement of 2,2 million tonnes. This momentum will be sustained and the successes consolidated.
“Together, as one united and hard-working people, we have attained food security and food sovereignty,” said the President.
Over one million families have also benefited from the Presidential Teak Grease Programme to reduce the impact of January disease livestock.
Thousands of cattle have died due to January disease in the last few years, and evidence on the ground has suggested less cattle died in the recent past as a result of January disease.
President Mnangagwa said efforts are ongoing to improve cattle breeds in communal areas.
He added: “Under my Government’s Agriculture Mechanisation Programme, our country’s farmers have increased access to mechanisation capacities.
“As a result of public-private-partnerships, a total of 1 641 tractors and combine harvesters were distributed by December 2022, while 4 400 additional tractors are being imported towards closing the farm mechanisation gap.
“To ensure that our people fully enjoy improved productivity of our land and the ongoing modernisation of my Administration, 2-wheeler tractor-kits will be availed to our communal and small-holder farmers.”
The Government continues to de-risk and climate-proof agriculture through the development and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure as well as dam construction.
Dams are being constructed in all provinces with a view to ensure aspects related to hydro power, fisheries, irrigation development and potable water benefit communities.
In Mashonaland Central Province, four dams namely Semwa, Bindura, Dande and Mbada, have been constructed.
Piped water schemes have also been established at Chahwanda, Bveke, Kaitano, Kamutsenzere and Chigango, helping communities to embark on life-changing horticulture projects.
The Second Republic is also in the process of drilling one borehole per village across the country, with the accompanying nutrition gardens, orchards, fisheries also being established.
President Mnangagwa said his Government is unwavering in its commitment to improve the quality of life of people, no matter where they live.
Mining, manufacturing sectors shine
Turning to mining, the President said several mining projects are being implemented and will help to significantly grow the sector beyond the US$12 billion target set for this year.
At the moment, value addition, beneficiation and employment creation, have become the main focus.
Regulations to reduce land degradation and deforestation are also being tightened.
President Mnangagwa said private sector-led industrialisation and increased capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector have seen the sector accounting for over 23 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
As a result of deliberate positive policies, local goods now occupy over 80 percent of shelf space in retail outlets, while trade links have been increased in emerging export destinations.
The expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station through addition of Units 7 and 8, will add 600MW more to the national grid, and improve electricity supply to the mining, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing industries.
Unit 7 has already been synchronised with the grid and is generating electricity during this technical commissioning phase, at times producing the 300MW.
Work on Unit 8 continues and is expected to be completed soon.
Going forward, President Mnangagwa encouraged communities to harness the abundant sunshine for renewable energy generation.
Reengagement pushes tourist arrivals
The tourism sector, which is on a rebound after being affected by over two years of Covid-19-induced lockdown, has benefited from Zimbabwe’s engagement and reengagement drive.
Under the mantra “A friend to all and enemy to none”, Zimbabwe has improved its relations with the majority of Western countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and many European Union member States.
At the same time, its relations with all-weather countries such as Russia, China, Belarus, Palestine and its peers in SADC and the African Union, have continued to strengthen, resulting in
improved tourist arrival from source markets.
President Mnangagwa called on provinces to ride on Zimbabwe’s cultural diversity and unique natural heritage to market tourist attractions across the country, to further boost tourist arrivals.
