Story by Chiedza Mutyavaviri
THE year 2026 presents immense opportunities for accelerated socio-economic transformation towards the attainment of Vision 2030, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa told the 390th Ordinary Session of the ZANU PF Politburo on Tuesday, urging party leaders to deliver concrete results.
“I urge us to put shoulder to the wheel and face head-on the specific tasks that must be undertaken during the course of the year,” he said, calling for strengthened unity, patriotism and disciplined leadership.
Addressing the first Politburo meeting of 2026 in his capacity as President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, President Mnangagwa said collective leadership and “exemplary conduct, in speech and deeds” were essential to achieving national development targets.
“We are a results-oriented Party and I am confident that we shall continue to deliver successes that benefit all our communities,” he said, adding that the ruling party remained “a dependable liberation movement which can be trusted with unity, national development, prosperity and the destiny of our motherland, Zimbabwe”.
The President opened the session by paying tribute to three late liberation war veterans, Brigadier General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, Brigadier General (Rtd) Mathias Tizirai Ngarava and Brigadier General (Rtd) Samuel Mpabanga who were declared National Heroes.
“We honour and cherish their role towards the attainment of our independence, freedom and democracy,” he said, inviting members to observe a minute of silence in their memory.
On the economy, President Mnangagwa said the ZANU PF-led Government was implementing “bold, consistent and people-centred policies” anchored on fiscal discipline, prudent monetary management and increased production across sectors.
“As a result, our country is registering progress in relation to macro-economic stabilisation and overall socio-economic development,” he said, citing growing export activity by local businesses, including women- and youth-led enterprises.
He challenged party structures to mobilise members beyond production and productivity to ensure more entrepreneurs penetrate export markets, and directed departments to implement party and government programmes “without exception” in line with National Development Strategy 2.
The President applauded what he described as steady growth in party membership and increased support across provinces, congratulating ZANU PF candidates who secured victories in recent by-elections.
“These Party victories are a clear reflection of the effectiveness of our grassroots structures and mobilisation programmes,” he said.
He highlighted National Cell/Village Day as “the bedrock of our Party’s strength” and an effective mechanism for consolidating structures and authentic membership, adding that the Politburo would receive a comprehensive report from the Commissariat.
President Mnangagwa also welcomed the successful commemoration of National Youth Day in Marondera, describing it as affirmation of the party’s commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and job creation.
On foreign policy, he said the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union had received the African Peer Review Mechanism report on Zimbabwe, which positively recognised milestones achieved under the Second Republic.
The 2026 African Union theme ,“Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063”, aligns with Zimbabwe’s priorities on water access, irrigation expansion, dam construction and climate resilience, he said.
President Mnangagwa confirmed that Zimbabwe is intensifying its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. The country is also set to host the upcoming COMESA Summit, at which it will assume the chairmanship of the regional bloc.
“I expect the Party and country as a whole, to ready itself to host our visitors in the usual hospitable manner,” he said.
Concluding, the President urged party leaders to approach their responsibilities with renewed focus and dedication.
“Let us approach our responsibilities with renewed vigour, focus and dedication,” he said. “The time demands execution, unity and results.”
