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President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa pose for a photograph with members of the new Cabinet after their swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare on Monday

Features Writers
Since President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore-in his new cabinet earlier this week, many and varied opinions have been expressed over the team. Most Zimbabweans are following keenly on how the ministers will execute their duties as they usher the country into the new dispensation.

The Herald went into the streets of Harare to elicit the views of people from different walks of life. Simbarashe Maruza, a 37-year-old cook, said he expects the new Government to tackle graft.

“We expect a corruption-free Cabinet which puts the needs of the people first. Job creation should also be prioritised because many youths are loitering the streets without anything to do and they should be devoting their time to contributing to national development,” he said.

Maruza urged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to draw lessons from the region on access to education.

“School fees should be reduced just like it is in other countries. Public primary schools in Botswana range around 100 Pula per term (around $10). We wish to see the same here.”

A revamp of the health system was proposed.

Tendai Muyambo

“There should be affordable medication in public hospitals because people are being held to ransom by private institutions when seeking medical assistance,” Maruza said.

Most Zimbabweans want to get the best from their earnings. Tendai Muyambo, a 30-year-old barber who operates from downtown Harare, says he approves of the faces in the Cabinet, provided they will deliver.

“I do not have a problem with the people who were chosen to be in Cabinet. All we ask of them is to ensure that prices remain low so our earnings remain meaningful,” Muyambo said.

In some households it seems they just want to be able to experience the small but significant things in life.

“It has become a luxury for an average Zimbabwean to have bacon and eggs for breakfast, that should not be the case. We just want to afford nice things in life as we are hardworking people. The new Government should make our working environment more conducive, that is all we ask for,” said Muyambo with an air of optimism.

Youths who have been economically stagnant are hopeful of a breakthrough. Sunshine Dokotera (23), a university student urged the new Cabinet to devote its attention to the economy.

Sunshine Dokotera

“I think they should fix the economy first because everything is centred on the economy. A lot of students are deferring and dropping out (of college) because life is getting tough, that needs to be looked into urgently,” she said.

Financial challenges are pushing most people to the wall.

“The Cabinet also needs to work on restoring people’s confidence in the Government. Stakes are high but I believe Cabinet will deliver. The pronouncements made so far are encouraging,” added Dokotera.

Informal traders have faced obstacles in plying their trades and are pinning their hopes on the new dawn the country is walking into. Nganatsei Mutiziri (34), a vendor, sees the new Cabinet as her chance to get a job of her dreams.

“I had dreams of being formally employed as I was growing up but due to the economic hardships I ended up vending. The coming in of the new dispensation has raised my hopes of following the career path I always wanted,” Mutiziri said.

She understands that Rome wasn’t built in a day and is prepared to be patient with the new Government.

“Even if the new Government fails to create employment for us, they should at least designate working spaces for vendors that are accessible to our customers,” said Mutiziri.

She added; “I also believe vending will be a better profession if the cat-and-mouse games between vendors and council police stop. Kanzuru ngaisatitorerawo zvinhu zvedu nekuti pamwe tinenge tatokwereta mari yekuhodha (Council should not confiscate our wares which are usually acquired on borrowed funds).”

Simbarashe Maruza

The creative industry is also hopeful. Moffat Ngwerume (24), a freelance photographer, said he will be closely following the activities of the new Cabinet.

“I am sceptical of the new appointments in the Cabinet; we expected new faces to usher us into the new dispensation. We, however, hope President Mnangagwa continues with his tough stance against corruption and misuse of public funds,” he said.

“We hope that everyone is scrutinised in terms of their wealth and how they acquired it. One thing that this Cabinet should prioritise is ending price hikes, creating employment, getting rid of corruption and most importantly for me as a photographer I want the freedom to express myself through what I do,” said Ngwerume.

Twenty-six-year-old kombi driver Paul Chekure hopes for a chance to revisit his life and straighten a few bends.

“The new Cabinet has to create jobs for us because we did not attend school to be kombi drivers for life. I passed my ‘O’levels but could not further my education due to financial constraints. It breaks my heart to charter people to their workplaces daily when I know I should be in the same bracket as them,” he said.

Ngwerume believes there should be more opportunities for young people.

“The Cabinet’s responsibility is to turn our situation around otherwise there will be an influx of kombi drivers. Prices have to be monitored especially in the case of diesel and petrol because it’s affecting us at the end of the day as we get peanuts,” he said.

“I don’t know what Government is going to do with the police because we are fed up with their corrupt activities. These days with soldiers on our roads, life is a bed of roses because they bring order and do not strip us of our earnings,” said Ngwerume.

There is optimism among Zimbabweans with the 2018 National Budget presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa indicating a spirited approach to economic challenges.

It is now upon the newly-installed Cabinet to prove its mettle through meticulous service delivery in tandem with the people`s expectations.