The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Correspondent
ZANU PF Women’s League secretary for administration, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, has called upon party leaders in Manicaland to be proactive in developing the province.
Speaking during a Zanu PF provincial development coordination committee meeting held at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences last weekend, Cde Mutsvangwa, who is also Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, said the party is taking a cue from President Mnangagwa in pushing the development agenda in line with National Development Strategy 1.
Cde Mutsvangwa implored party leaders to go beyond sloganeering while drumming up support for Zanu PF for the forthcoming 2023 elections by prioritising implementation of developmental projects.
“The days of political gatherings were we just chant party slogans for the sake of it are gone. President Mnangagwa has taken the lead and we have to follow suit. He has put his words on economic growth, productivity and prosperity into deed.
“The President is always emphasising during Cabinet meetings that we need to have the people’s needs at heart and come up with ways to improve their well-being. The coordination committees are required to give that direction in provinces.
“We are fast approaching 2023 and we need to prove to the electorate why they should vote for Zanu PF again by taking development to them.
“Through his visionary leadership, President Mnangagwa is championing this cause through several initiatives that are bearing fruit.
“NDS1 has already gathered pace and we have to keep that momentum going. As the ruling party, we have always promoted development and with unity of purpose we can do more. Let us roll up our sleeves and get down to serious work,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
She also hailed the strides Command Agriculture and Pfumvudza have made in improving the livelihoods of many people.
With Manicaland’s per capita income lower than in other provinces, Cde Mutsvangwa called upon the province to make use of its resources and the devolution funds to turn around its fortunes.
“Manicaland is home to plenty of natural resources. By exploiting minerals like diamonds, the province’s beneficiation and value addition has vast room for improvement.
“Besides mining, we can also do well in other areas like agriculture and tourism. This will bring about economic growth and stability, thereby pushing our provincial GDP to desired levels,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.
With human capital development forming one of NDS1’s key pillars, Cde Mutsvangwa challenged vocational training colleges and other higher learning institutions to produce highly skilled and innovative graduates.
“Vision 2030 is feasible, all we need is a specialised workforce for the various sectors of the economy. To achieve an upper middle class economy, we need the schools, training institutions and universities to play ball through Education 5.0,” she said.
Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda said the higher learning institution is committed to contribute towards human capital development by producing graduates with specialist skills in line with NDS1.
Addressing the same gathering, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyeri urged farmers to partner private players to increase productivity.
Said Minister Matsikenyeri: “We are looking for people who can invest and work together with our farmers in order to boost their capacity to produce more.
“Farmers can identify areas where they need help and partner investors.”
The meeting was also attended by the party’s national secretary for finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa; Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro and other party members from across the province.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, was the guest of honour and unpacked NDS1.
