The ManicaPost
Emmah Chinyamutangira Post Correspondent
STAKEHOLDERS in Manicaland have called on Government to translate the Transitional Stabilisation Programme into vernacular languages to encourage better understanding of the policy by all citizens.
The Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP): October 2018 – December 2020, outlines policies, strategies and projects that guide Zimbabwe’s social and economic development interventions up to December 2020.
The TSP draws its policy thrust from Vision 2030 which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030, focusing on immediate quick-wins that are aligned to reality and capacity, and laying a robust base for economic growth.
This will pave way for the development of two five-year National Development Strategies, the first Plan being for 2021-2025, and the second Plan covering 2026-2030.
Participants at the Classic 263 Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) dialogue meeting held recently in Mutare said not everyone fully appreciates the TSP and cited language as one of the main hindrances.
Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza pinpointed the importance of having the TSP in vernacular languages.
“People must understand what it means. We assume that all of us understand it but I am not too sure of whether it is understood in Nyanga, Buhera, Makoni or Nyanga districts. Some are lost when it is said Transitional Stabilisation Programme. We want a Shona or Ndebele name that fully explain the programme,” said Nyabadza.
Minister of State for Manicaland provincial affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, who was represented by the director in her office, Mr Kennedy Mugarisanwa, also echoed the same sentiments.
“Where do people in rural areas have platforms to googleand understand the TSP. Even to say in English, it is not available in rural areas. Let us embrace inclusive development, taking everyone on board,” he said.
Principal director responsible for National Budget in the Ministry of Finance Mr Zvinevamwe Churu urged people to work extra hard in reviving the country’s economy through TSP.
He said Manicaland could contribute to the country’s economic growth through agriculture as it feeds a number of industries that processes agricultural produce into various foods.
“Manicaland has many resources especially in agriculture, tourism, timber and manufacturing sector. Trading is taking place and we want that trade to grow within a short period of time.
“In the past we were not recording Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics on the basis of performance at provincial and local levels. Government is going to ensure that it captures GDP performance for this year for each province so that competition is set among the provinces,” said Mr Churu.
He added that there was need of strong marketing culture as they were working on reopening of industries.
“This country is highly endowed with mineral resources which we can exploit hence we are working on reopening of closed mines as well as opening of new mines to increase competition and productivity,” he added.
