The Road to Vision 2030: Milestones of the Second Republic – National Unity and Political Stability
By Tinashe Mukori
A Nation United in Progress
The current political discourse in Zimbabwe, which has apparently permeated every chink and creek of our society, has been set ablaze by the resolution from the ZANU PF National People’s Conference, calling for an extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond 2028 to 2030.
This proposal, met with fervent support, stems from the belief that the President has remarkably demonstrated unparalleled leadership and exhibited exceptional prowess in tremendously propelling national development and should be afforded more time to consolidate Zimbabwe’s developmental gains.
It is therefore crucially imperative to take a retrospective look at the milestones achieved by the Second Republic under his leadership, particularly in fostering national unity and political stability – two fundamental pillars for sustainable development.
A New Dawn: From Division to Dialogue
The seismic political shift of November 2017 was more than just a transfer of power; it was a moment of national rejuvenation. The streets of Zimbabwe, both at home and those abroad, became a sea of ecstatic jubilation as citizens embraced the dawn of a new era under President Mnangagwa’s leadership. However, elections loomed in 2018, and the President’s first major step was a masterstroke – championing national dialogue.
Unlike the First Republic, where political polarization ran deep, the President recognised that issues of statecraft requires great deliberation and understood that nation-building is best achieved through dialogue and unity in diversity.
Immediately after securing victory in the 2018 plebiscite, he generously extended an olive branch to all 23 presidential candidates who contested, regardless of their political clout. His invitation was not dictated by numbers or dominance but by the realization that every leader carried a vision for Zimbabwe, no matter how small their following.
This was also greatly inspired by an acknowledgement that at the heart of every grand national development matrix is not only its people, but a “united people”, who are the most important asset of every nation.
This bold and unprecedented move culminated in the formation of Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) in 2019 – a national platform for cross-pollination of ideas.
The Birth of POLAD: A Platform for Inclusive Politics
At the 2019 launch of POLAD, President Mnangagwa set the tone for a new political culture – one defined by dialogue, inclusivity, and constructive engagement. His words were unequivocal:
“The fostering of a culture of dialogue should be a defining characteristic of Zimbabwe’s democracy.”
POLAD was not merely a ceremonial gathering of political actors but a robust initiative aimed at nation-building. The idea was to create a platform upon which the leaders of opposition, in their representative capabilities, could contribute significantly to the running of the country’s affairs for the greater good of nationhood. Its objectives were far-reaching, focusing on:
▪️Promoting peace, tolerance, and political stability
▪️Championing economic growth and constitutionalism
▪️Influencing government policies on economic empowerment and poverty reduction
▪️Ensuring the participation of youth, women, and marginalized groups
▪️Lobbying for the removal of economic sanctions and international re-engagement.
By embracing an Afrocentric approach to political stability that promotes home-grown solutions to political challenges , Zimbabwe aligned itself with SADC’s vision of a peaceful, integrated, and economically thriving region.
A Listening President: The Voice of the People is the Voice of God
President Mnangagwa’s “open-door policy” has become a hallmark of his leadership. His mantra, “The voice of the people is the voice of God” (Vox Populi, Vox Dei), resonates across the nation, reflecting his commitment to inclusive governance. No Zimbabwean, regardless of background or political affiliation, has been denied an audience with the President – a testament to his listening leadership.
This approach has ushered in an era of political stability, a crucial ingredient for economic transformation and advancement . At the recent Precabe Farm Tour on January 12, 2025, the President remarked:
“There is no friction between the opposition and the ruling party, that as it may, constructive criticism is imperative for continuous improvement.”
This paradigm shift from hostile rivalry to progressive political contestation has created an environment where ideas, rather than personal attacks, define the political landscape, except for a few rogue elements who are predominantly vocal on social media only, especially X (formerly Twitter) platform . The President has successfully bridged the political divide, fostering unity in diversity – the cornerstone of national development.
National Unity: The Key to Economic Stability
With political stability firmly established, the focus shifted to economic transformation. A divided nation struggles to implement a shared vision, but a unified Zimbabwe can propel forward seamlessly. President Mnangagwa has laid the foundation for this through:
▪️Creating an environment conducive for dialogue and cooperation
▪️Encouraging bipartisan engagement in policy formulation
▪️Championing inclusive economic policies that leave no one and no place behind!
This conducive environment created by the Second Republic catapulted Zimbabwe into a deep dive of economic reforms under the Transitional Stabilization Programme Reforms Agenda (TSP). This ambitious blueprint underpinned the economic resurgence Zimbabwe has witnessed under President Mnangagwa’s leadership – a compelling case for why the public is rallying behind his Vision 2030 agenda.
It behooves us therefore to next dissect what Transitional Stabilization Programme Reforms Agenda was and its contribution towards the achievement of Vision 2030 as we try to understand how President ED Mnangagwa managed to court the affection of most Zimbabweans who are demanding the extension of his term of office beyond 2028.