The Sunday Mail
Lincoln Towindo
Parliament
IT was a rather different sight watching Thursday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and official opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament.
For the first time in history, post-Independence, the SONA and official opening of Parliament was conducted virtually.
The President delivered his address from the State House grounds with Parliamentarians following proceedings virtually in keeping with measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
State of the nation
President Mnangagwa delivered a forceful, frank and articulate address, which touched on pertinent themes, pregnant with hope and expectation.
The President correctly painted a picture of an economy in motion in a measured delivery from a man convinced his ideas have taken root.
He sold the idea of a Zimbabwe on the brink of reawakening, while making a rallying call to Zimbabweans towards the next lap of the reform programme.
He cautioned of a determined enemy within and from outside focused on rolling back progress and stomping on the emerging green shoots of life.
He said the economy was in good stead owing to interventions from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), whose implementation is nearing a close at the end of the year.
“Our TSP has delivered and there are causes for optimism,” said the President.
“My Government is indeed encouraged by the current economic stability, evident since the launch of the foreign exchange auction system in June.
“The system has resulted in the stability of the foreign exchange rate as well as the prices of our goods and services.”
President Mnangagwa played up interventions by Government to mitigate the impact of Covid-19, including the $18 billion stimulus package for the productive sectors, vulnerable social groups, and provision of public services such as health, water and sanitation.
He previewed the TSP’s successor programme — the National Development Strategy 1 — saying it will guide the formulation of the 2021 National Budget.
He spoke of the reform milestones such as the Global Compensation Agreement, which he said reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the entrenchment of constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for property rights.
“It is now incumbent on all of us to ensure production and productivity is galvanised on our land.
“The Meteorological Department has forecasted a normal to above normal 2020/2021 rainfall season,” said the President.
“We must, therefore, ensure that all measures are in place for a successful agriculture season. I commend communities throughout the country for the land preparations made under the Presidential Climate Proofed Agriculture Programme, Pfumvudza/Intwasa.
“The Presidential Input Support Scheme will see over 1,8 million households being supported with free inputs to grow maize and traditional grains while cotton farmers will also continue to receive support.”
Zimbabwe, said the President, will become a net exporter of power by 2025 with increased generation of up to 6000 megawatts.
President Mnangagwa extolled the infrastructure modernisation programme being driven by local contractors and finance, saying the model will be vigorously pursued owing to its success.
In the wake of last year’s devastating drought, Government was providing social protection with over 700 000 households receiving grain monthly, while others are benefiting from the cash-for-grain programme under the Urban Feeding Programme.
The address touched on strategic issues including labour unrest, housing provision, public health and engagement and re-engagement.
“Government takes note of the legitimate calls for better working conditions by our teachers, health workers and public service in general. We will do our best to ameliorate their concerns and improve their plight.”
Legislative agenda
As expected, the President expressed his frustration with the pace of the legislation process.
Out of the 25 Bills set on the legislative agenda for the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament and an additional 15 other Bills which were not on the initial agenda, only 10 had been passed by Parliament as at September 22.
He said the Bills on the legislative agenda for the third session were geared to deepen economic reforms, entrench constitutionalism and cement the country’s democratic culture.
On the economic side, the Bills will seek to enhance the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination and deepen the ease of doing business.
The Economic Empowerment Bill will be introduced to repeal the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, while the Competition Act will be amended to align it with regional and international agreements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
The protracted amendment to the Mines and Minerals Act should be vigorously pursued in order to usher in the processes for the amendment of the Precious Stones, and Gold Trade Acts.
The Electricity Act will be amended to increase the mandatory sentences for the perpetrators.
Critically, a set of laws to usher in full devolution and decentralisation will finally be tabled in Parliament.
The Provincial Councils Amendment Bill, the Traditional Leaders Amendment Bill, and amendments to the Urban Councils and Rural District Councils Act will be considered by the House.
“The Youth Bill will set the parameters to regulate youth development and empowerment promotion; vocational training and skills development, financial inclusion; youth participation and leadership; as well as national service.”
The final lap of media law reform will be completed with the tabling of the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill and the Protection of Personal Information Bill.
