Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF Manicaland has adopted a coterie of resolutions meant to improve the livelihoods, coping mechanisms and resilience of rural communities by discarding reliance on rain-fed farming that has turned out to be a recipe for disaster due to droughts and mid-season dry spells.
A Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held in Mutare on Tuesday to come up with resolutions for the 21st National People’s Conference to be held in Bulawayo in October, unanimously endorsed that President Mnangagwa remains in office beyond 2028, saying his leadership is crucial for the country’s stability and development, especially in the context of the ongoing infrastructural development, economic growth and international engagement and re-engagement as well as the fulfilment of Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle class income society.
The meeting also identified key projects that address the immediate needs of communities in the province that should be implemented quickly.
Manicaland is home to critical economic sectors, straddling mining, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and manufacturing industries, which are expected to play significant roles and ameliorate the attainment of Vision 2030.
Chief among the projects is the full utilisation of abundant water at Osborne, Marowanyati, Muchekeranwa and Rusape dams; construction of the proposed Kondo Dam, which is set to become the biggest in-land dam in the country, the local airport and Christmas Pass Bypass Road.
Kondo Dam is earmarked to be constructed at the confluence of Mucheke and Save rivers at a cost of US$380 million, spread over five years, and will straddle three districts — Makoni, Mutare and Buhera.
Upon completion, it will irrigate 38 000ha in Chisumbanje.
The resolutions were read out by the party’s provincial vice-chairperson, Cde Linda Matatu.
“Cognisant and acknowledging the developmental achievements by the Second Republic under the stewardship of His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, ZANU PF Manicaland Province resolves that His Excellency, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, continues to serve the nation as President and First Secretary of ZANU PF up to 2030 and beyond.
“This will allow uninterrupted developmental trajectory as envisaged by Vision 2030, which is the brainchild of President Mnangagwa. Manicaland Province is desirous that there be an amendment to the national Constitution so that the elongation of the Presidential term becomes constitutional,” reads the first resolution.
The party also singled out some of the projects successfully implemented by the Second Republic in Manicaland, which include the construction of Marowanyati and Muchekeranwa dams; Mega Market Milling Plant; completion of the Kopa-Jopa Road; Verifying Engineering for medical gas; Hwakwata Green Energy Plant; construction of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences; Mutare High Court, Buhera Sport Stadium; Sabi Star Lithium Processing Plant; Mutare Teachers’ College’s Baobab Juice and Water Processing Plant; Cashel Valley Saw Milling Plant; Willowton Oil Processing Plant and Cylone Idai permanent restoration.
New clinics were also built in the province, and these include Nzvimbe, Hotsprings, Vimba, Matanda, Magadzire, Munemo, Mhakwe, Njarima and Runyararo, as well as additional school classroom blocks and ICT facilities in schools.
“These achievements are not exhaustive, but are just a few the province feels have great impact on the livelihoods of people of Manicaland. Government should continue working and accelerating the dualisation of Harare-Mutare Highway, Mutare-Masvingo Highway; tarring of Mt Selinda Road in Chipinge and Binya Road in Nyanga; upgrading of Odzi-Marange and Chendandambuya-Mayo-Mutoko roads.
“The province appreciates the commencement of tarring of Birchenough-Murambinda Road, while measures must also be taken to de-silt water bodies, which attention should be given to Osborne Dam,” reads part of the resolutions.
After identifying current and potential shocks and stresses capable of affecting the sustainable livelihoods of communities, the party recommended copping strategies that can be employed to enhance the resilience of individuals, households and communities as well as potential community assets that can be employed to enhance their resilience.
“Government should attend to the establishment of Marowanyati and Muchekeranwa irrigation schemes, and the resuscitation of Osborne Dam Irrigation Scheme. The party should direct Government to ameliorate the construction of the proposed Kondo Dam in Chipinge as an essential priority, while ensuring that every district has a vocational training centre.
“Government should prioritise funds for the expansion of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences to meet the standards of other existing universities,” reads some of the resolutions.
“The party also recommended that Government puts in place policies and strict laws that discourage the exportation of raw materials, while encouraging value addition and beneficiation which in turn will increase revenue and job creation.
“The province appreciates the efforts by Government restricting the exportation of raw materials especially in mining industry, (and wants) the party to direct Government to accelerate the long overdue construction of the Gemmology Centre in Manicaland, Christmas Pass By-pass route and Mutare Dry Port.
“Government should put in place policies that support and protect local industries and businesses on competitions, for example, on accessing mining claims. All produce or outputs from Manicaland-based companies should contribute towards the provincial Gross Domestic Product, especially diamonds, gold, ethanol, regardless of where the companies’ headquarters are located.”
The province also hailed the successful hosting of the just-ended 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Harare, which saw President Mnangagwa assuming the bloc’s Chairmanship.
The party also resolved that the current crop of legislators and councillors should undergo ideological orientation at the Chitepo School of Ideology, and design a social media code of conduct to regulate the use of all social media platforms by party members.
It was noted during the meeting that some party members have developed a tendency of bullying and insulting party leaders and members on various social media platforms.
Preparations for the conference are on course, with the party’s eight administrative districts in the province, Politburo, Central Committee, provincial members, legislators and ministers being directed to contribute various stipulated amounts of money towards the conference.
Manicaland was allocated five buses to ferry delegates from the province whose accreditation has been slated for October 11 at the provincial party offices in Mutare.
