…key economic sectors doing well
By Lungile Siziba
The Second Republic is committed to enhance the well-being of the people by entrenching unity, stability, security and development.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the official opening of the Second Session of the 10th Parliament of Zimbabwe in Mt Hampden recently, the President said a lot has been achieved by the ZANU PF Government since 2018.
“Government is committed to the realisation of the promises made by our ruling party, ZANU PF,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Despite enormous challenges and difficulties as a result of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country, we are recording encouraging progress.
“The philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind is anchored on inclusive transformation and shared prosperity.”
As a result of deliberate policies introduced by the Second Republic, the country has been recording substantial growth in many sectors including tourism, mining, agriculture and manufacturing, among others.
Mining sector shines
In the mining sector, an ambitious target to attain a US$12 billion industry by 2023, was set by the Government in 2019.
The target rallied all players into action and many new investments were made into the sector where new mining companies such as Sabi Star Lithium, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe and Zulu Lithium, while some mines such as Eureka Gold Mine in Guruve were revived.
The lithium sector is attracting more investors since it is used in lithium-ion batteries that are critical in the manufacture of electric vehicles, which have taken the world by storm in the face of efforts to reduce the impact of fossil fuels on the environment.
Importantly, small-scale miners boosted gold deliveries and an average of 35 tonnes of the yellow metal have been attained almost annually since 2018.
The diamond sector has also done well, with over 4 million carats achieved last year.
Despite the companies scaling up production, President Mnangagwa still wants them to do even better.
“Mining houses in the gold and other precious minerals sector are called to scale up production.
“Assets under the Sovereign Wealth Fund are envisioned to bolster performance and revenue from the mining and other sectors.
“The overarching goal is for the rich natural resource endowments of our beloved motherland, to benefit all Zimbabweans,” he said.
Unrelenting growth in agric sector
One may be tempted to say a miracle has been brewed in the agricultural sector.
Apart from the time that President Mnangagwa presided over the Command Agriculture programme between 2015 and 2016 when he was Vice President, not much meaningful output had been realised in the sector.
Experts blamed the lack of investment in dam construction and irrigation technology for the low harvests, which occasionally plunged the country into food shortages.
But come 2018, deliberate efforts were made to ensure irrigation schemes were revived while new technology was brought in.
Presently, Zimbabwe’s functional irrigation capacity stands at 217 000 hectares, out of a potential to irrigate over 220 000 hectares of crops.
But the Government expects a minimum capacity of 500 000 hectares, which means an additional 270 000 hectares have to be developed.
At the moment, Government is working on a number of measures to increase irrigation capacity including the formation of the Irrigation Development Alliance (IDA) to fund the development of 153 000 hectares of land under irrigation by 2027, the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development which includes the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, new irrigation development, and projects linked to dams and public-private partnerships under which Government is exploring PPPs to attract investment into irrigation.
In his SONA address, President υυυ τττ Mnangagwa acknowledged the investments made in the agricultural sector by his Government which have resulted in massive yields across all crops.
Said President Mnangagwa: “May I recognise and applaud the vital role played by our farmers in feeding our people and contributing to Zimbabwe’s agricultural self-reliance.
“A new record wheat harvest of 600 000 tonnes is projected from the 2024 winter crop.
“We remain optimistic in respect of the 2024-2025 summer cropping season, with projections of normal to above normal rainfall in most provinces.”
President Mnangagwa said he was pleased with the pace of inputs distribution under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Presidential Climate-Proofed Agriculture Production Scheme and other programmes.
“To date, various finance institutions and private sector stakeholders have committed to support farmers under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme”.
Health delivery milestones
President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed his Government’s determination to enhance the health delivery system.
Over 50 health facilities have been constructed by the Government while over 100 others were renovated.
Solar systems were installed at 1 074 healthcare facilities and over 400 got boreholes as part of efforts to ensure quality health services for the people.
President Mnangagwa said the Government will continue to invest in the health sector for the benefit of the people.
“Government is availing resources for the acquisition of essential medicines and specialist medical equipment for all our Central, Provincial and District hospitals.
“In line with emerging technologies, the introduction of telemedicine to facilitate virtual specialist consultations for citizens in remote parts of our country, is being speeded up.
“The nation is assured that the Government has put in place robust surveillance and response plans for threats posed by public health risks. Communities are urged to continue exercising strict health and hygiene standards,” he said.
Tourism sector rises from Covid-19 ashes
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is on a recovery path from the Covid-19 slump due to travel restrictions which prevented people from travelling. In 2022, the tourism sector saw a strong rebound, with 1 043 781 tourist arrivals, representing a 174 percent increase from 2021.
Revenue also increased from US$397 million in 2021 to US$911 million in 2022.
This year, tourist arrivals are projected to increase to 2 million, which will be a 27,4 percent increase from 2023 while by next year, arrivals are expected to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 2,32 million before rising to 2,6 million in 2026.
Zimbabwe has set a tourism sector target of US$5 billion by next year, which authorities are optimistic that it would be attained.
President Mnangagwa said widespread infrastructure development projects have resulted in positive spill-offs across other sectors of the economy.
“The Nhimbe/Ilima Programme has been modified to see provincial road authorities pooling together equipment into single construction units to implement works on prioritised projects at the local level.
“The requisite funding and technical support for the initiative will be availed by Government,” said President Mnangagwa.
Government has a strategy to grow the tourism and hospitality industry, with a focus on the country’s heritage, culture, fauna, flora, geology and landscapes.
Youth Service boon
President Mnangagwa said through the re-oriented Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme, youths are participating in community projects such as the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, teachers’ accommodation, clinics, roads, boreholes, dip tanks, bridges and houses for vulnerable households.
The involvement of local skills in infrastructure development dovetails with the President’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.
The Youth Service in Zimbabwe is a Government programme that aims to develop young people into patriotic citizens and leaders. It was relaunched on May 24 this year, by President Mnangagwa at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Mashonaland East.
The programme’s objectives are to empower youths with the skills and leadership they need to participate in nation-building, instil values of patriotism, Ubuntu/Unhu, keeping youths away from societal ills such as drug and substance abuse, among others.
The program was initially introduced in 2000, with the first training camp established in 2001 in Mount Darwin.
Regional integration gets boost
Zimbabwe has signed a tripartite pact with Botswana and Mozambique for the construction of a railway line that links the three countries.
Another tripartite agreement with Zambia and Mozambique established an initiative for the management of shared natural resources, as well as fauna and flora, said the President, adding that the development will bolster regional integration.
The rehabilitation of border posts and airports, and roads also feeds into the wider strategy of boosting regional trade. Following the completion of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway and the Beitbridge Border Post, focus has now shifted to the Harare-Chirundu Highway and sprucing up the Chirundu One-Stop-Border Post.
The Harare-Nyamapanda Highway is also set to be rehabilitated while the Nyamapanda and Forbes border posts have been lined up for modernisation too.
Issuance of passports in regional countries to Zimbabweans based in those countries, is also part of efforts to promote regional integration.
The first external e-passport offices were opened in South Africa at the Zimbabwe Consulates.
Said President Mnangagwa: “Going forward, the service will be rolled out to key destinations.
“The Second Republic will continue to foster stronger, collaborative relationships with our Diasporan nationals, for win-win benefits and accelerated socio-economic development of our motherland.
“In unity of purpose, success across all sectors of the economy is guaranteed.”
