‘Let’s move in unison to build Zim’ 

Source: ‘Let’s move in unison to build Zim’ – herald

Fungi Kwaramba in MATOBO, Matabeleland South Province

AS Zimbabwe celebrates 46 years of independence today, President Mnangagwa has enjoined the nation to move in unison to build the country, saying the development being witnessed countrywide is only the beginning.

In keeping with tradition, this year’s national celebrations in Maphisa, Matabeleland South Province, were preceded by a Children’s Party hosted by the President and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Children from the country’s 10 provinces across Zimbabwe gathered at Mahetshe Primary School for the event.

But before the party began, the President commissioned a series of projects in Matobo District — an area where the late Vice President “Father Zimbabwe” Dr Joshua Nkomo, hailed from — walking the talk on his mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind”.

Transformative projects commissioned included the Mahetshe Primary School Business Unit, a newly-refurbished computer laboratory, a historic memorial park and houses for war veterans.

The President also gifted the school, which is fully electrified, 200 laptops.

The homes, which were built by Presidential Investment Advisor Paul Tungwarara, under the Presidential War Veterans Housing Scheme, came with groceries for those who sacrificed their youth, life and limb for the country’s liberation.

President Mnangagwa also planted a tree at the school, underscoring the importance of environmental stewardship.

Speaking after handing over the houses, the President said every patriotic Zimbabwean must help ensure the country achieves its vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“A country is built by its people, and that is what we are doing. Everything has a beginning, and more is coming because this contributes to the development of our country.

“As we develop Zimbabwe, no place will be left behind. We must move together, building our country,” he said.

Some of the beneficiaries of the houses include female former freedom fighters.

The First Lady, who accompanied the President, appreciated the gesture.

“I feel glad and thankful to the women who fought for this country. We have a lot of women who died in other countries, and we are saying thank you very much to them.

“What we are doing today is because of your strength and blood, your sweat; that has brought us together as one Zimbabwe,” said the First Lady.

The projects commissioned in Maphisa are a microcosm of broader progress nationwide, where infrastructure is taking shape.

Many Zimbabweans say improvements are now visible not just in headlines but in everyday life — from renewed order and service delivery to stronger institutions that make development measurable and sustainable.

Observers note that under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, the Second Republic has placed renewed focus on infrastructure and connectivity — laying asphalt, making roads passable, restoring utilities and linking communities.

In its latest report, the International Monetary Fund said Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 7,5 percent in 2025, exceeding the Government’s 6,6 percent forecast.

Buoyed by fiscal discipline and growth in agriculture and mining, the economy is expected to maintain an upward trajectory this year despite global risks and headwinds from turmoil in the Middle East.

The President has laid a firm foundation for Zimbabwe to reach its goals, with infrastructure expansion and rehabilitation boosting trade, agriculture and access to services.

Now 46, Zimbabwe stands on a platform of re-engagement and engagement.

This diplomatic offensive has strengthened the country’s global presence and yielded major economic dividends: national exports have soared from US$2 billion in 2017 to a record US$16,5 billion by December 2025.

As of January this year, the country’s annual inflation rate fell to 4,1 percent, a historic milestone, marking the first time Zimbabwe has recorded single-digit inflation since 1997.

The President, through his pragmatic policies, has laid a firm foundation for Zimbabwe to reach its goals, with infrastructure expansion and rehabilitation boosting trade, agriculture and access to services.

The Independence Day anniversary comes at a time when President Mnangagwa has introduced the Minerals Value Chain — an assertive framework, designed to maximise national earnings while building a vibrant downstream minerals industry that will create thousands of jobs.

Under this policy, the President is again walking the talk on mining beneficiation, industrialisation, making Zimbabwe a pacesetter in the global south.

The ban on mineral ores export is meant to disallow the exploitation of primary raw materials whose supply is finite, and to force beneficiation and value addition at source, something that will have positive downstream effects in the middle to long term, including creating jobs and accelerating the country’s industrialisation and modernisation drive.