Story by Bruce Chahwanda
The Second Republic has registered milestones in 2023 which include surpassing the US$12 billion mining economy target, adding 600 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, attainment of food security and initiated life-changing projects across the country.
This was said by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his New Year message delivered at State House, Harare, this Saturday, in which he wished the nation yet another year of prosperity and development.
The multi-faceted achievements resulted in President Mnangagwa and his party, ZANU PF winning the 2023 general elections in a vote of confidence from the people.
The President said the same indomitable spirit that guarded Zimbabweans in the year 2023 should be taken to 2024, with more resolve and determination.
“As the curtain for the year 2023 comes down, we reflect as families and communities on the year that has gone by while setting our focus for the year ahead. We thank the Lord Almighty for his grace and mercy which saw us through an eventful year, as we march towards the attainment of Vision 2030. The Second Republic continued to deliver in 2023, consolidating our gains in self-sufficiency through the prioritisation of investments in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure, among others, to spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” he said.
He outlined steps that his administration has taken to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, consequently enhancing food security during lean periods.
“With regards to mitigating the effects of climate change and enhancing food self-sufficiency at the household level, more land was put under irrigation. I commend our farmers for the unprecedented harvests which have seen our nation become food secure. Our Pfumvudza/Intwasa farming model continues to grow from strength to strength, with our counterparts in the region and beyond emulating it as a model for food security,” said the President.
Apart from ensuring security, President Mnangagwa also led the country to grow its mining sector from 2.7 billion United States dollars economy in 2017 to 12 billion United States dollars by end of 2023.
“In the mining sector, we have surpassed the US$12 billion target. Our focus going into the future is set towards scaling up value addition and beneficiation of our abundant natural resource endowments for the benefit of our local communities and economy.”
For ease of doing business and transportation, the country’s infrastructure was transformed with the Harare-Beitbridge road nearing completion.
“Works on the Beitbridge-Harare road are almost complete, whilst those on other trunk and feeder roads are underway. This will ensure ease of access for people and goods, while maintaining our position as a transit route of choice within the region. The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project is now complete. To this end, Zimbabwe is an accessible tourism and investment destination. I am encouraged by the increased number of both local and international tourists visiting our country. Equally investments in new tourism products and facilities which bolstered the growth of the sector are a welcome development,” he said.
With such a growth trajectory, stakeholders believe more milestones will be attained come 2024.
