shloboe boe
Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
Midlands Province is experiencing profound transformation driven by innovative initiatives in mineral value-addition and beneficiation, as well as flagship projects in line with human capital development championed by President Mnangagwa.
Several high-impact projects have been rolled out in the province to revitalise the local economy and are significantly enhancing the quality of people’s lives in line with Vision 2030.
The province is witnessing a surge in socio-economic development, with a focus on promoting broad support programmes that contribute more to national economic transformation.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, revealed this in Kwekwe yesterday where he led a media tour of the life-changing projects that came to light following the coming in of the Second Republic.
Dr Muswere, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, toured Amaveni Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Amaveni suburb. The institution highlights the Government’s focus on addressing social issues, such as drug rehabilitation. The centre plays a vital role in supporting individuals struggling with addiction.
The delegation also toured the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos to check on the progress of the construction of seven new storage facilities, which are crucial for the country’s food security.
Dr Muswere later toured the US$10 million Zhong Jin International Hotel, a notable landmark development in the mining town.
In his remarks, he said the hotel has immense potential for driving the promotion of tourism and economic growth across the region.
The minister also toured the Midlands State University’s Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School project, another milestone in human capital development.
“The construction and resourcing of the Law School in Kwekwe District is part of the decentralisation and devolution of human capital development,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the province has a number of smelters, mining, and processing companies, including the giant Dinson Iron and Steel factory in Manhize, Chirumanzu District.
“This is part of an ecosystem, an ecosystem that had been destroyed by the illegal sanctions imposed on the country and are still put in place by the same imperialist forces,” said Dr Muswere.
“The Western capitals had targeted the engine of our economy because Zimbabwe took a strategic decision to redistribute land in order to correct the land imbalances brought about by the former colonisers.
“Because of that, a lot of pieces of legislation were put in place and some still exist. Extending targeted sanctions on the Head of State is a direct attack on the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
As a demonstration of resilience, Dr Muswere said the coming of the Second Republic came with immense gains as evidenced by investors flocking in to invest in the economy.
“All the value chains are undergoing great transformation under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
Farmers in Gokwe and Sanyathi are being capacitated to be cotton ginners and weavers until there is a finished product; that is the cloth for making garments,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the tour of Amaveni Drug Rehabilitation Centre is part of the health strategy to curb the abuse of drugs by the people, especially the youths.
“Part of the tour included several hotels and industrial sites that have been put in place under the New Dispensation. The New Dispensation did not only raise the standards in terms of the gross domestic product but brought a sustainable acceleration in terms of economic empowerment,” he said.
“Economic empowerment also includes the land tenure, which has now been securitised so that we grow our wealth.”
Dr Muswere said the GMB silos under construction were part of ensuring food security and nutrition agenda that is being spearheaded by the Second Republic.
“All this great work is towards an upper-middle-income society by 2030. The current revolution is about human capital growth,” he said.
He said the multimillion-dollar Zhong Jin International Hotel is part of the success stories of engagement and re-engagement strategy undertaken by the New Dispensation to attract foreign direct investment.
“The facility will support the various value chains that will be feeding into this hotel facility and is part of Vision 2030. Image building is also part of this vision,” he added.
The minister reiterated that the Government’s tourism recovery strategy remains anchored in unlocking the US$5 billion tourism economy and that such facilities speak to that vision.
“There has also been a surge in the number of tourists visiting the country. The flora and fauna we enjoy has ensured that the tourism industry becomes a success,” he said.
“The most significant programme we have is hosted by the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa focusing on gastronomy.”
In his remarks, Minister Ncube said the exquisite US$10 million Zhong Jin International Hotel in RedCliff showcases the Second Republic’s impactful and transformational engagement and re-engagement initiatives under the able and visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa.
“Since the inception of the New Dispensation on November 24, 2017 Zimbabwe has realised unprecedented economic recovery and growth confirmed by international finance institutions like the World Bank and research institutions as evidenced through massive modern roads, airports, border posts, electricity infrastructure and private sector-led investments in mining, manufacturing, construction and tourism that underpin Midlands provincial GDP growth, “ he said.
