Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE year 2024 has been marked by triumph for the Second Republic, as President Mnangagwa’s resolute leadership steered the country towards prosperity, making huge strides in its journey to attaining upper middle-income status under Vision 2030.
Significant milestones in various developmental areas were achieved during the year, as reflected in political stability, economic growth and empowerment of citizens.
In an interview with ZBC on Friday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere presented a comprehensive overview of the accomplishments made by the Second Republic in key sectors.
He said some achievements included notable infrastructure projects, economic empowerment and advancements in key sectors such as tourism, broadcasting and land reform.
“The focus for the year 2024 is that we have registered under the 100-day cycle projects another 346 projects which have got a lot of positive life-changing impact in terms of poverty alleviation and also in terms of micro-economic growth,” he said.
“And also what is of key importance is the 2024/2025 agricultural season which has grown by more than 300 percent which also reflects Government’s commitment in terms of ensuring that we achieve in terms of food security. Yes, we have been affected here and there by the drought which is environmentally induced.”
Dr Muswere said several infrastructure projects were implemented in 2024.
“There were a number of roads and infrastructure initiatives, which include plus 40 000 kilometres in terms of drainage works, in terms of regravelling, in terms of resealing of roads, in terms of many other infrastructure initiatives, both by the central Government and also through private-public partnerships across all the 10 provinces,” said Dr Muswere.
“One of the newest technological and engineering marvels is the development of the Trabablas Interchange, which is an engineering marvel, and is one of the achievements in terms of the year 2024.”
Dr Muswere emphasised the importance of economic empowerment, particularly concerning land ownership and title deeds.
“In terms of fundamental economics, one of the key aspects related to the means of production is ownership and land,” he said.
“So, what the President has precisely done is to ensure that before the year
Stability, growth and citizens’ empowerment top wins in 2024
From Page 1
2030, there is total economic empowerment of Zimbabweans through the Presidential Title Deeds Programme, which will contribute towards macroeconomic growth in terms of the GDP (gross domestic product), because we have so many houses in our country with no title deeds.
“This becomes collateral and also becomes a financial instrument that can unlock billions of dollars for our economy.”
Additionally, the Government, in 2024, focused on reforming the land tenure system, which will unlock billions of dollars for both the financial and agriculture sectors.
This initiative is seen as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and food security in the country.
“The second aspect is the land tenure system, which is going to unlock billions of dollars for the financial and agriculture sectors,” said Dr Muswere.
“This is a direct economic empowerment initiative to war veterans, to the youth, to women and to many other farmers across all the 10 provinces, which will also align in terms of the food security modality that is being championed by President Mnangagwa.”
Under the Tourism Recovery Plan, the Government has reported a significant rebound in the tourism sector.
According to Dr Muswere, the average spending per tourist has increased from US$1 500 in 2023 to US$2 000 per visit in 2024, with the average duration of stays growing from three to five days.
“A total rebound in terms of the contribution by the tourism sector in the utilisation of funds, the disposition in terms of each and every tourist that comes to our country,” he said.
“There’s been tremendous and positive growth in that for last year, it was an average of US$1 500 per person, per visit. And now it’s grown to an average of US$2 000 per person, per visit.
“And perhaps in terms of duration, an increase in the number of days from an average of three days to five days per visit. This is a total positive rebound in terms of the tourism industry.”
In the broadcasting sector, the Government made strides towards media sovereignty in 2024, with the rollout of the second phase of the Zimbabwe Digital Broadcast Migration Programme.
“The Zim Digital programme had started in earnest, but the relaunch will take place in 2025, which will see us in a position to be able to implement the Digital Infrastructure Master Plan, which will achieve media sovereignty for us as a country, but also, in particular, the amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act, amendments that are going through parliamentary processes,” he said.
“They also speak to heritage-based broadcasting in that all the 16 recognised languages, in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, will have support in terms of content and production, because the major focus is to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind.”
Looking ahead, the year 2025 will mark the conclusion of the first phase of the National Development Strategy 1, a blueprint aimed at achieving an upper middle-income society by 2030.
The strategy focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth, social protection, economic diplomacy, housing delivery and good governance.
daniel chigunwe
