Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday pledged to forge ahead with overhauling the economy in line with Vision 2030 despite massive setbacks – natural and man-made – that his administration has faced in the past three years.

In a State of the Nation Address, President Mnangagwa said the government’s goal remained to achieve “peace, unity, stability,
development, progress and stability.”

Natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts, and most recently the
deadly Covid-19 pandemic coupled with divisive opposition politics,
and illegal western sanctions, made up the long list of major obstacles
the government has had to deal with, he said.

“Although progress has been slowed down, rest assured that we shall
achieve our objectives. We will overcome,” he said.

“We will defeat the attack and stop the bleeding of our economy. We
will overcome attempts at destabilisation of our society by a few
rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors.”

Zimbabwe’s economy has gone through a tumultuous period since
President Mnangagwa took over in late 2017, with life increasingly
becoming harder for the ordinary man due to declining economic
performance, a weakening local currency and high inflation.

President Mnangagwa said reforms currently being implemented to open
up, modernise and liberalise the economy will be accelerated at a
faster pace while vices such as corruption also choking progress will
be tackled.

He called for “unity and love” and a coming together for a common
purpose for the country to achieve its goal of becoming an upper
middle economy by 2030.

“The dark forces, both inside and outside our borders, have tempered
with our growth and prosperity for too long. They have thrived on
dividing us,” he said.

“Let us as a people embrace the call to patriotism, hard work and
transparency, accountability, love, unity and peace.”

President Mnangagwa vowed to “continue working harder” for the
attainment of set government developmental objectives.

“Emboldened by the tenacity that inspired our heroes to wage a war for
our independence, sovereignty and freedoms we enjoy today, let
Zimbabwe strive towards a prosperous future,” he said.

“Now is the time to look forward. As one people, a united people. Let
us press on, with vigour and hope, hand in hand, being each others’
brother’s keepers.”
New Ziana