The Sunday Mail
When the history of the Second Republic is written some time in the future, one of its most distinguishable characteristics will undoubtedly be its ability to walk the talk.
It should be remembered that three key promises that were made by the new political administration when it came to power were to modernise, industrialise and improve the standard of living of ordinary Zimbabweans, and we are gradually seeing that happen.
We are probably living through one of the most progressive eras in modern-day Zimbabwe.
Not only are new projects springing up in every corner of the country, but the new administration has had to follow up projects that had stalled under the First Republic.
A few examples might suffice.
The new oxygen and industrial gas plant that was commissioned in Feruka, Mutare, on August 19 first began in 2005 – about 16 years ago.
Its importance, particularly at a time when the world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic which requires patients to be treated with medical oxygen, cannot be overemphasised.
Zimbabwe now has the capability to produce its own oxygen to meet local demand and sell to the region as well.
Similarly, construction of the new Chinhoyi provincial courts had been at a standstill for the past two decades and were only completed recently after work resumed in 2019.
The imposing complex, which becomes the second largest after the Harare Magistrates’ Court and houses the lower and upper courts, will be of great convenience to people who used to travel all the way to Harare to access justice.
Most crucially, it becomes the fifth seat of the High Court after Harare, Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo.
And we also know about the long-drawn-out plans to rehabilitate the Harare-Masvingo Beitbridge Highway.
In fact, the project was a permanent fixture and pledge in political campaigns since the tender was flighted in 2002 – about 19 years ago – only for it to take off in earnest in 2018 when the new Government took over.
About 200 kilometres have since been completed and opened to traffic.
Before all this, however, the tendering process for the project had been a comical example of sloppiness and ineptitude. There are numerous other projects of a similar nature such as the Gwayi Shangani Dam, which had been on the cards since 1912, the Bulawayo Kraal Project and Chikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme.
This is why President Mnangagwa has to be believed when he says the era of unfinished projects is long gone.
“The era of starting projects that never get completed is long gone,” he said when he officially opened the Chinhoyi Court complex on Friday, adding: “The culture of action, success and excellence is the bedrock of the Second Republic’s value system and ethos. All projects underway will therefore be timely completed so that our people can enjoy the modern and quality services and goods.”
But the traction in implementing projects of national importance has been made possible by the prudential management of the national purse, which has created a balanced budget from which major capital outlays are being directed to timeous execution.
Significant allocations have been made to rehabilitate our road infrastructure, revive irrigation schemes and establish new ones, construct houses for civil servants and dams, among some of the transformative undertakings presently underway.
And the impact this has had on the local economy is apparent.
Aggregate demand has improved and economic activity has picked up.
Jobs are being created and industries are slowly coming to life.
While it is tempting to pat ourselves on the back for the accomplishments and milestones achieved so far, we still have a long way to go, especially after two decades of inertia and decay.
Thankfully, Government is alive to this reality.
In his State of the Nation Address on June 12 this year, President Mnangagwa acknowledged that too many Zimbabweans are still unemployed and hungry, but he reiterated the need to stay the course on reforms.
“This is why we will continue to reform. We were told our reforms were too harsh and extreme, but alas they are working. So it is not time to pull back but time to double down and introduce more broader and deeper reforms,” he said.
“We must work tirelessly to create conditions for a better future for our children and generations to come. There can be no resting on our laurels.”
Indeed, while a lot has been done, yet a lot more still needs to be done.
But, most importantly and perhaps most encouragingly, the disillusionment of old has since given way to enduring hope.
All we need to do is believe.
