I warmly welcome you all to this 395th Ordinary Session of the Politburo. This meeting convenes as we approach the Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations when our nation honours the gallant sons and daughters of our motherland, Zimbabwe. Many of them sacrificed their lives in selfless seevice to our country, in the post-independence period.

This period is, therefore, an opportune time for introspection and recalibration, with regard to collective legacy, we must bequeath to future generations. This rich history of our colossal revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF, along with the social, economic as well as political evolution of the nation is unique and, in most cases, without templates to understudy. We are charting our own destiny and developing models transformation that best suit our Zimbabwean circumstances.

Through the recent Constitutional Amendments, the Party membership and people of our beloved motherland, have bestowed immense trust, on ZANU PF. It is thus, incumbent on us to constantly enhance the manner we execute and dispense our weighty duties and responsibilities, in ever changing environment.

As the senior Party leadership, let us remain mindful of core characteristic of ZANU PF, that of putting the ordinary people first and striving to improve their lives, in line with the Party Aims and Objectives. So far, the national Vision 2030 is clearly articulated and being meticulously pursued. Going forward, our Party’s governance should do more to realise the intricate balance between expanding national wealth, and the embedded objective of improving the wellbeing of our people.

Under the Second Republic, the foundations for sustainable economic growth are increasingly evident in every sector. Mineral export earnings continue on an upward trajectory, with increased revenues as a direct result of value addition, beneficiation and investment, being advanced by the ZANU PF led-Government. Likewise, the manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development sectors, among others, have recorded higher contributions to overall GDP.

The commendation of our reforms and macro-economic stability framework by the International Monetary Fund and the Staff Monitored Programme, attest to the integrity of our policies and the economic fundamentals, that we are implementing. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s admission into the BRICS New Development Bank is a notable achievement that will widen our country’s access to alternative, long term and sustainable development financing, under NDS-2.

Economic growth, however, is not an end in itself, but should respond to the people's aspirations for a better life, in ways that best speaks to them. This requires us, as the Politburo, to demonstrate policy and strategic dexterity to support the Central Committee, in executing its constitutional mandate.

I am pleased that Constitutional Quarterly meetings held last month, reflected the modernisation and transmutation of the Party, as far as thought leadership is concerned.

ZANU PF should continue with this progression as we show consistency of purpose and achieve perpetual results.

On the government side, the Second Republic, is advancing a 'Whole of Government and Society Approach". Hence, our officials at both Government and Party levels should regularly engage and visit stakeholders and communities at the grassroots level. As the people-centred Party, we cannot have one size fits all approach to development, but tailor-make carefully assessed policies, projects, and programmes that meet local conditions to increase the pace at which we lift more of our people out of poverty, into better standard of living. 

The ongoing modernisation and development should not leave any district or province behind. To achieve this, our Party structures, especially from the Branch and District levels must be very effective and proffer the relevant socio-economic development strategies and recommendations for each locality.

We must transition our governance style to be based on consultation and practical problem-solving, to accelerate the realisation of Vision 2030. Through hard work; innovation, discipline and optimal utilisation of our God given resources, we shall continue to build a resilient, self-sustaining and prosperous economy, driven by our people and anchored on our national interests.

Comrades; 

A strong, modern, vibrant and sound Party is built upon strong grassroots structures. I am pleased that our colossal mass Party, ZANU PF, continues to register organizational systems together with grassroot mobilisation strategies and the robust recruitment of new cadres that reflect that we are a dominant and well-oiled machine, which is here to stay. Well done.

I particularly commend Party Departments for rolling out capacity Building Workshops across our structures. Such programmes are essential for flawless information dissemination to the membership and indispensable, in building an efficient, disciplined and responsive revolutionary movement. I urge the respective Departments to scale up this good work, with greater focus at the Branch and Cell/Village levels.

It is pleasing that steady progress is being made in preparation for the 23rd National People’s Conference, to be hosted by Mashonaland West Province. The critical outcomes of National People's Conferences or any Party meetings is never the numbers that attend, the quality of hosting or comfort of delegates.

It is the policy output, resolution, and impactful decisions we make, and how these will tranform our economic, social and political landscape for the betterment of our nation. I appeal that we never lose sight of this fact.

To this end, I exhort, Party Organs and Government Ministries to examine and track the implementation of Conference and Congress outcomes, resolutions and decisions, ahead of this crucial annual gathering. 

The rejuvenated Standing Committees of the Central Committee should help in this regard, through continuous monitoring of our implementation matrix. Through the Office of the Secretary General, I expect all resolutions and recommendations emanating from the Standing Committees and adopted by the Central Committee to be consolidated, processed and channelled through the appropriate Party and Government structures for implementation or review. Every Party decision should translate into practical steps that ultimately uplift the livelihoods of our people.

The requirement to sustain the financial obligations of the Party rests on all members. I, therefore, call upon Party Organs and Structures to ensure to ensure that resources are mobilised, contributions made and fundraising activities undertaken in good time, towards Conference costs and other needs. In doing so, everyone must strictly comply to the Guidelines for Receiving Donations, as recently circulated through the Secretary General's Office. 

May I hasten to once again highlight that the Party is supreme over Government and over any individual member or group of members. The synergy between the Party and Government must help refine our collective efforts. 

Cadres deployed in Government, are directed to carry out their sacred responsibility by faithfully implementing Party policies and resolutions, with uttermost diligence, and patriotism. Any dissonance between Party policy decisions and the Government implementation agents, is unacceptable.

Comrades;

I was pleased to grace and address the National Assembly of the Women's League. Our Party-led Government is unwavering in advancing a wholistic approach to scale up the empowerment of all sections of society. As a strategic component of our demography, the youth and women, will continue to be facilitated and enabled to succeed across all sectors of the economy.

I commend the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector for playing an increasingly strategic role towards overall economic resilience, employment creation, innovation and wealth generation. Our ZANU PF Government along with key stakeholders and partners remain seized with fast-tracking formalisation, financial inclusion, technology adoption, skills development, modern workspaces as well as market access for micro, small and medium enterprises. 

I was pleased to commission a rural industrial complex for the production of cooking oil, soap and detergents, among other products, in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province. 

Through the implementation of a responsive rural industrialisation and modernisation strategy, our Government is realising equitable development, that leaves no one and no place behind.

At this critical phase of nation building, the inter-connectedness of unity, peace, development and prosperity cannot be overlooked. These pillars are sacrosanct for the achievement of sustainable development, economic, social as well as political stability.

I commend all our citizens, and stakeholders across society for the peace, harmony and tranquil environment prevailing in our country. 

Divisive narratives, hate and denigration of our national institutions, including machinations of whatever form, have no place in our modern and maturing constitutional democracy. 

Tingwarire vane mweya wa legion. Isu se Musangano nehurumende, takasvinura, tirikukuonai. Counter-revolutionary and retrogressive elements on whatever platform must be exposed and rejected. Preserving, safeguarding and protecting our peace, security, unity and development remains our collective moral and sacred duty; household by household and village by village. Munyika yedu yechipikirwa, Zimbabwe, iwe neni, tose tine basa.

Let us all play our part towards sustaining the irreversible momentum to build a prosperous, modern, industrialised and upper-middle income society by 2030.

Finally on a sombre note, we lost a number of comrades since our last meeting. They served our country with unwavering commitment, loyalty and patriotism. Among them are Major General (Rtd) Richard Ruwodo and Professor Herbert Mapfumo Chinyanga, who were declared national heroes.

We also accorded a State Assisted Funeral following the tragic road traffic accident that claimed the lives of Executive Members of the Highlanders Football Club. ZANU PF expresses sincere condolences to the bereaved families and football fratenity as a whole, on this sad loss.

I now invite the Politburo to rise and observe a minute of silence in honour of the departed comrades. May their souls continue to rest in eternal peace. 

Let us now proceed to the agenda of the day.