Manicaland remains one of the most influential provinces in Zimbabwe, contributing immensely to the socio-political and economic development that has over the years anchored Zimbabwe to become attractive in the geo-politics of the region and the world. The province largely covers the eastern highlands and the south eastern plateau of Zimbabwe. According to the 2012 population census, the province has a population of approximately 1.8 million people. Politically, ZANU PF has dominated the province and recently won 19 out of the 26 parliamentary seats that were contested in the just ended 30 July 2018 Harmonised Elections. The MDC Alliance won the remaining 7 seats.
The Indaba entitled ‘Reclaiming the peoples struggles beyond the political curtains: setting the peoples agenda”, is an opportune moment for Manicaland province to interrogate the commitment by the current government to fulfil the demands and obligations of a social contract between the people (citizens) and their government. Despite the popularisation of the slogan to indicate that Zimbabwe is open for business, the country continues to experience uncertainty and restlessness that has led to an increase in the gap between the poor and the rich due to the rise in the cost of living. The people of Manicaland are equally concerned with the way central government is unfairly distributing resources due to open and brazen corruption that has become endemic. We take note as a province that lack of transparency and accountability has over shadowed government efforts to fulfil the demands of the social contract entered on 30 July 2018 therefore exposing vulnerable citizens to insecurities being propagated by a predatory state.
Manicaland province prides itself in contributing more than 70% of Zimbabwe’s diamond quantum coming from Marange, Chiadzwa and Chimanimani. The Province supplies the best grade of bananas, peaches, mangoes, litchi, coffee, tea and avocado.
Despite Manicaland being the largest producer of cash fruits, the province does not have local industries to refine such fruits into other finished products. Instead such industries are found elsewhere in the country thus depriving the province of employment opportunities.
The province has been pivotal in supporting agriculture and therefore contributed in making agriculture the main stay of Zimbabwe’s economy.
Despite all these contributions to the economy, in addition to having contributed the largest number of guerrillas (freedom fighters) to the liberation struggle that gave us independence from the colonial masters, the province still lags behind development wise. The province is encouraged by the utterances from the President E.D Mnangagwa who has promised to prioritize devolution and decentralisation in the running of national affairs. The Harare-centric governance model that dominated the Mugabe reign has not helped the country to develop its infrastructure. Manicaland province is still to benefit from its natural resources like diamond from Marange and Chiadzwa and the sugarcane project in Chisumbanje among other various investment projects being implemented in joint venture with the government of Zimbabwe
The Indaba is therefore an opportunity for delegates drawn from all the provinces of Zimbabwe to question their elected leaders and government to account. The platform will also mobilise and empower citizens at the grassroots level to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies affecting their day to day livelihood. The theme for the Indaba is befitting as it seeks to remind not only the government of its obligations, but also the people who must be at the centre.
Manicaland province hopes to reiterate that the elections are over and Zimbabweans must be wiser and refuse to be the subject of abuse by politicians who have proven to be selfish and partisan without working for the national agenda.
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