By Tichaona Katsvamutima
President and first secretary Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged ZANU-PF officials to deliver tangible improvements in Zimbabweans’ lives rather than merely adopt political resolutions, while declaring that the ruling party intends to remain in power indefinitely.
Officially opening ZANU-PF’s 23rd National People’s Conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology on Friday, Mnangagwa called for greater accountability in implementing development programmes and warned party leaders against pursuing personal interests at the expense of national priorities.
The conference, held under the theme “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Empowerment towards Vision 2030,” places renewed emphasis on translating government policies into measurable economic and social outcomes.
“The Resolutions we proffer should reflect the realities facing Zimbabweans, provide practical solutions and define clear responsibilities for implementation,” Mnangagwa told delegates.
“Personal or narrow interests have no place in our colossal, revolutionary, mass Party.”
In a strong declaration of ZANU-PF’s political ambitions, Mnangagwa described the ruling party as an enduring institution determined to maintain its dominance of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
“We inherited a Party that is united, revolutionary and people-centred. The ancient stones and building blocks that form the foundation of ZANU PF must never be tampered with,” he said.
“The Party is a well-oiled machinery that will keep moving forward and governing, in perpetuity, for the good of the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe.”
The remarks underscored the ruling party’s determination to retain power, even as its leadership faces the challenge of demonstrating that economic growth and development commitments are improving ordinary citizens’ livelihoods.
Mnangagwa also dismissed opposition political formations as increasingly weakened, claiming ZANU-PF was attracting new members from across the political divide.
“Opposition parties are in disarray, with no agenda for the people. We must recruit more members,” he said.
“Dzokai kumusha. Homwe yeMusangano hayizari, tose tinokwana mu ZANU PF.”
He praised what he described as growing internal democracy within ZANU-PF and urged party officials to resolve differences through constitutional structures rather than personal confrontation.
“Differences should never be antagonistic and the Party Constitution as well as collective national interest remain the guiding beacon of all conduct,” Mnangagwa said.
Turning to the economy, the President presented an optimistic assessment of Zimbabwe’s performance, citing growth in gross domestic product, exports and per capita income as evidence of progress under his administration.
He said the economy expanded by 8.3 percent in 2025 and was projected to grow by five percent in 2026, while annual inflation had declined to 2.8 percent.
“In 2025, Zimbabwe’s GDP grew by 8.3% and is projected at 5% in 2026. Through our astute monetary policy, annual inflation has come down to 2.8% and is accompanied by price stability,” he said.
Mnangagwa claimed Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product had increased from US$16 billion in 2017 to US$66 billion, while GDP per capita had risen from US$1,200 to US$3,500 over the same period.
He further said annual exports had grown from US$2 billion to more than US$20 billion, describing the figures as evidence that Zimbabwe was progressing towards its goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
“Zimbabwe is rising,” he declared.
The economic figures, which were not independently verified, formed the centrepiece of Mnangagwa’s assessment of his administration’s performance. However, the broader test remains whether the reported growth translates into sustainable employment, improved household incomes and better access to essential services.
Mnangagwa also said Zimbabwe had met all quantitative targets, structural benchmarks and other commitments under its first International Monetary Fund staff monitoring review programme, urging delegates to strengthen fiscal discipline through their conference resolutions.
He identified agriculture, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure development as key drivers of economic transformation, highlighting investments in irrigation, mechanisation, mineral processing and domestic industrial production.
The President projected agricultural growth of 6.9 percent, with strategic grain production estimated at 2.4 million tonnes, and called for increased productivity during the 2026–2027 summer cropping season.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme while acknowledging the threat posed by El Niño-induced droughts and other climate-related shocks.
On mining, Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of local mineral beneficiation, citing lithium, gold, platinum and coal as strategic resources capable of supporting industrialisation, employment creation and export growth.
He said increased investment in manufacturing and domestic value chains was reducing Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported goods and strengthening productive capacity.
Beyond the economic agenda, Mnangagwa delivered a pointed warning to party officials against treating political office as a platform for personal advancement.
“Leadership positions are not for personal glory or publicity; we are here to serve,” he said.
He called for stronger organisational discipline, ideological training and collective responsibility, insisting that party members must remain guided by ZANU-PF’s constitution and development priorities.
“MuZANU PF, hakuna mazvake-mazvake,” Mnangagwa said, emphasising that individual ambitions should not override collective party interests.
The President also expressed concern over increasing reports of violent crimes involving married couples, some of which have resulted in deaths.
“On the social and cultural development front, I am gravely concerned by the growing number of reported marital crimes which are resulting in the loss of lives,” he said.
“This is not who we are as the Zimbabwean people.”
He called for the restoration of family values and greater respect for the sanctity of human life.
Reflecting on Chinhoyi’s liberation history, Mnangagwa paid tribute to seven liberation fighters who confronted Rhodesian forces in 1966, describing their sacrifice as a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.
He said the historical significance of the conference venue should inspire party officials to accelerate development and honour the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle.
Mnangagwa also acknowledged prominent liberation figures associated with Mashonaland West, including former President Robert Mugabe.
Looking ahead, he urged delegates to formulate practical resolutions addressing emerging challenges, including climate change, technological advancement, artificial intelligence and global economic disruptions.
He called for policies that expand opportunities for young people and women through entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, industrialisation and employment creation.
“Conference is challenged to craft Resolutions that create concrete opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, industrialisation, job creation and empowerment,” he said.
Mnangagwa stressed that the ruling party had a responsibility to ensure that its policies reflected the aspirations of ordinary Zimbabweans.
“As the ruling Party, we also carry the burden to translate the people’s aspirations into policies which generate development programmes and tangible results,” he said.
The President subsequently tabled the Central Committee Report and officially declared the conference open, paving the way for committee deliberations and the adoption of resolutions intended to guide the party’s development agenda.
With implementation at the centre of this year’s conference, ZANU-PF faces a test of whether its economic ambitions and political commitments can produce measurable improvements in living standards.
