The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
Following the naming of a 26-member Cabinet by President Mnangagwa early this week, high are expectations that those ushered into office will drive the country towards attaining Vision 2030.
The new Cabinet blends old and new blood and speaks to President Mnangagwa’s thrust of modernisation and economic development.
Since assuming office in 2018, the Second Republic has been working flat out to ensure economic growth and stability, food security and nutrition, good governance, structural transformation, human capital development, environmental protection, climate resilience, natural resources management and housing delivery.
Manicaland’s own workhorses make up part of the vibrant Cabinet.
Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was sworn-in as Defence Minister; while Minister Monica Mutsvangwa takes over the Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development portfolio.
Dr Jenfan Muswere is now the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services; while Advocate Misheck Mugadza is now the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
Member of the National Assembly for Musikavanhu/Mutema Constituency, Cde Angeline Gata, was appointed Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister.
The Manica Post this week spoke to various stakeholders to get their views and expectations of the new Cabinet.
The clarion call was mainly for the new office bearers to put shoulders on the wheel and ensure the country continues on a growth trajectory.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) national vice-president, Mrs Victoria Jakazi called upon the new Cabinet to continue fostering engagement among all stakeholders so that everyone pulls in one direction.
She expressed optimism that the new sheriff in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Minister Stembiso Nyoni, will spur industrialisation.
“A lot of progress has been made in terms of turning around the economy since 2018. We are really looking forward to continuous engagements between Minister Nyoni and the business community.
“The composition of the Cabinet is also exciting as it fuses new and old blood. As business, we are prepared to play our part in ensuring that the economy grows and jobs are created. We will continue working hard to recapitalise our operations, and with Government’s support, industry will grow,” said Mrs Jakazi.
Academic and political commentator, Dr Alexander Rusero said the perfomance of the Cabinet will determine the direction of the country’s economy.
“We cannot judge a Cabinet based on the personalities, but rather the policy matrix implemented and its efficacy. In this case, it is not much about demography, qualifications, etcetera, but more about how far it will go in building the economy.
“The economy is the easiest yardstick. By the performance of the economy, the success of the Cabinet will be judged. More importantly, Zimbabwe has set an ambitious Vision 2030 and this Cabinet is the one that will breathe life to the attainment of the vision.”
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMMRT)’s programmes manager, Mr Eddie Dube called on the young turks in the Cabinet to prove their competencies by bringing in new ideas.
“We hope that the Cabinet will deliver on the citizens’ expectations and take the country forward in an inclusive manner. The onus is upon the young blood to prove that they are competent by bringing in new ideas,” said Mr Dube.
A vendor, Ms Cheneso Chakabuda, said Government should continue with its economic empowerment programmes for the less privileged members of the society.
“Zimbabweans are known for being hardworking. We are there to complement Government’s efforts in improving citizens’ lives. As vendors, we look forward to the Sakubva Urban Renewal Project so that we get decent places for business.
“Running battles with law enforcement agents should be a thing of the past. If we have decent and modern vending stalls, I can assure you that the pavements in Mutare’s Central Business District will be free of vendors,” she said.
A Dangamvura resident, Ms Celine Nyakudya said: “As youths, we expect the creation of more opportunities for us. It is said an idle mind is the devil’s workshop and most of our peers are now into drugs and substance abuse due to idleness.
“We hope to benefit from the innovation hubs being spearheaded by the Second Republic as we have a lot of innovations and ideas to ensure employment creation.”
