Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
Midlands Bureau
THE Midlands Province is experiencing profound transformation, fuelled by innovative initiatives in mineral value addition and beneficiation, as well as flagship projects in line with human capital development championed by President Mnangagwa.
These strategic efforts are revitalising, not only the local economy, but that of the country at large, enhancing the quality of people’s lives in line with Vision 2030.
The province is witnessing a surge in socio-economic development, with focus on promoting broad-based support for programmes aimed at driving transformation.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere in Kwekwe yesterday.
The minister was in the mining town for a media tour of life-changing projects in the Midlands Province that came to light following the advent of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa in 2017.
Dr Muswere, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, toured the 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 minister toured Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos to check on progress in the construction of seven new storage facilities which are crucial for the country’s food security.
Dr Muswere also visited the US$10 million Zhong Jin International Hotel which is a notable landmark in Kwekwe.
He said his visit is focusing on the hotel’s potential for promoting tourism and economic growth in the region.
“The tour of projects in Kwekwe is in the form of a cycle. The first cycle is at the Midlands State University Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School which shows the cycle of human capital development in line with Vision 2030. The construction and resourcing of the Law School in Kwekwe District is part of the decentralisation and devolution of human capital development,” Dr Muswere said.
He said smelters have been built in the province to accelerate the value-addition process of iron produced by companies like Dinson Manhize Steel Plant in Mvuma.
“This is part of an ecosystem, an ecosystem that had been destroyed by the illegal sanctions imposed by imperialists and which are still in place. The Western capitals had totally 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, “ Dr Muswere said.
He said the coming in of the Second Republic brought tangible gains as evidenced by investors flocking into the country.
“All the value chains are undergoing great transformation under the leadership of President Mnangagwa”.
Dr Muswere said the tour of Amaveni Drug Rehabilitation Centre is part of the health strategy to curb the abuse of drugs by youths.
“Part of the tour included a number of 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. Economic empowerment also includes the land tenure which has now been securitised to grow our wealth, “ he said.
Dr Muswere said the GMB silos under construction will fulfill the 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.
Dr Muswere said the multimillion-dollar Zhong Jin International Hotel is part of the success stories of the engagement and re-engagement strategy undertaken by the New Dispensation to attract Foreign Direct Investment.
The Tourism Recovery Plan and Recovery Strategy towards a US$5 billion tourism economy, he said, will come to fruition through such facilities that are flourishing across the country.
“There has also been a surge in the number of tourists visiting the country. The flora and fauna we enjoy have ensured that the tourism industry becomes a success. The most significant programme we have is hosted by the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa focusing on gastronomy, “ Dr Muswere said.
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 24 November 2017, Zimbabwe has realised unprecedented economic recovery and growth confirmed by international finance institutions like the World Bank. This is evidenced through massive modern roads, airports, border posts, electricity infrastructure and private sector-led investments in mining, manufacturing, construction and tourism that underpin the Midlands provincial GDP growth, “ he said.
