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Richard Muponde-Zimpapers Politics Hub

Zanu PF’s 21st National People’s Conference has drawn near as the ruling party is going into overdrive to push for economic development anchored on industrialisation and modernisation to achieve President Mnangagwa’s Vision of an Upper Middle Income Society by 2030.

The conference will be hosted by Bulawayo province and is expected to run from October 22 to 27 under the theme, “Industrialise and Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030,” setting the tone for the country’s journey to Upper Middle-Income status by 2030.

This vision, championed by President Mnangagwa, is underpinned by a clear understanding of the economic growth impediments and a commitment to addressing them.

The theme resonates with the President’s development philosophy, encapsulated in the mantras “Nyika Inovakwa neVene vayo, igotongwa neVene vayo, Igonamatigwa Nevene vayo” (Our country will be built by its own people, it will be developed by its own people, and it will be prayed for by its own people).

One of the key enablers of this vision is the massive modernisation of infrastructure, a flagship programme launched by President Mnangagwa.

The ongoing dualisation of major highways, such as the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge and Harare-Chirundu roads, is a testament to this commitment.

These projects will not only enhance connectivity and facilitate trade within Zimbabwe, but also bolster regional economic integration, particularly within Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The upgraded road network will reduce travel times, increase efficiency, and lower transportation costs, making Zimbabwe an attractive transit hub for regional trade. This, in turn, will stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and improve livelihoods.

Work on the Harare-Chirundu highway resumed, with five local contractors awarded the tender to upgrade the road moving on site.

The five had been directed by Treasury to concentrate all the resources and efforts on the Harare end of the highways and other city roads ahead of the recent 44th SADC Summit where President Mnangagwa assumed the chairmanship of the regional bloc.

Roadworks for the US$550 million Harare-Chirundu Highway, whose scope includes partial dualisation and widening of the road, are scheduled to be completed in August next year.

President Mnangagwa’s sound economic policies also saw the modernisation of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post which is the gate way into Southern and Central Africa and the expansion of the Hwange Power Station Unit 7 and 8 to provide enough power to industries.

Government under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, has industrialised the countryside setting up rural factories in Hauna, Mutoko and Mwenezi among other areas to urbanise the rural areas and empower villagers to discourage rural to urban migration.

He also launched industrial hubs for research and innovation to spur economic development through ICT in the various sectors of the economy, which will ensure goods and services are provided to consumers at affordable prices.

His drive for industrialisation saw the construction of the Manhize Steel Plant which is one of the flagship projects and among the biggest in Africa and creating thousands of jobs including establishing a town with its own amenities and power plant.

According to Disco chairman, Mr Benson Xu, the Manhize project is going to be one the biggest in the world, surpassing Zisco Steel which was the largest steel company in the region.

The project is coming with a new town that accommodates about 30 000 residents. Plans are also underway for the construction of a university and a foundries centre at Manhize – a development that will result in the creation of employment for more than 20 000 people.

Manhize Steel Plant will also have a Thermal Power Station which will generate at least 50 megawatts to power blast furnaces at the plant.

Works are also in progress for the setting up of a 300MW power station at the Sherwood block which is expected to be the main source of power for the project.

A railway line linking Manhize and Mutare up to Beira in Mozambique will be constructed for easier transportation of bulk goods.

A revamped railway line in Mozambique from Beira-Machipanda was commissioned in November last year at a ceremony attended by President Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi.

The project is going to surpass the country’s former iron and steel giant Zisco which employed 5 000 workers at its peak and also saw the establishment of a dormitory town named Redcliff Township.

Zimbabwe which is largely going through massive infrastructural development since the coming in of Second Republic has been importing its steel for domestic use.

Iron and steel products are vital for construction, infrastructure development, and manufacturing in Zimbabwe. The primary trading partners for iron and steel imports are South Africa, China and India. In 2022, the import value of iron and steel products was approximately US$400 million.

However, the US$1,5 billion project is envisaged to serve the outflow of foreign currency and also have a positive multiplier effect on the economy, which would be felt in both upstream and downstream industries.

President Mnangagwa has prioritised retooling of local industry to bolster economic activity and make the country more attractive to investors.

Economic analyst and Global Economics 2020 Consultancy Group executive director Mr Naboth Paurosi Dzivaguru concurred and said President Mnangagwa in his inaugural speech in 2017 declared that his administration will be more biased to economic development than politics.

“It is therefore not a coincidence that whatever event he hosts he inclines much to economic prosperity for all,” Mr Dzivaguru said.

“Recently, he hosted SADC summit, the mantra was purely real-economic, that is economic development through regional integration and industrialisation. Now he is going to preside over the ZANU PF conference in Bulawayo, the theme hasn’t departed from economic infrastructural development.”

He said the President is pragmatic, an economic realist whose actions resonate well with the mantras he himself hatched such as “Nyika Inovakwa nevene vayo”, Zimbabwe is open for business, Zimbabwe a friend to all and enemy to none, and no one and no place is left behind.

“All these mantras simply refer that it is none, but Zimbabweans who should ensure that the country is developed. And this is only achieved through hard work and discipline.

He is inculcating an attitude of hardworking to his fellow citizens,” he said.

Moreover, the modernised infrastructure will enhance the country’s competitiveness, attracting foreign investment and propelling Zimbabwe towards its goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

The ZANU PF 21st National People’s Conference theme is a clarion call to action, aligning with President Mnangagwa’s vision for a transformed Zimbabwe.

As the country traverses this journey, the focus on industrialisation, modernisation, and infrastructure development will be crucial in achieving the desired outcomes.

With a clear understanding of the challenges and a commitment to home-grown solutions, Zimbabwe is poised for a brighter economic future.