As Zimbabwe strides into the next chapter of its national development journey with the recent launch of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), a moment of profound opportunity presents itself. This five-year blueprint, designed to propel the nation toward its Vision 2030 goal of an empowered, prosperous upper-middle-income society, demands more than just policy adjustments. It calls for a comprehensive, unwavering alignment of all national institutions, governance practices, and even foundational legal frameworks to ensure its success. The path to 2030 requires both steadfast commitment to proven values and the courageous flexibility to evolve for the challenges ahead.

A Nationwide Alignment to NDS2 framework 

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s launch of NDS2 marks a critical transition, building on the foundation of NDS1 to address unfinished business and consolidate gains. The strategy’s success is expressly tied to a philosophy of inclusivity and the national mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind.”.

To translate this vision into reality, the government has already initiated a structured, whole-of-government approach. It has established 10 national priority areas and corresponding thematic working groups to guide development and implementation. This structure is a vital first step in aligning the state’s machinery, demonstrating that the strategy requires dedicated focus across every sector:

Core National Priorities & Thematic Focus

1. Macro-Economic Stability & Financial Reforms: Chaired by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor.
2. Inclusive Economic Growth: Led by the Secretary for Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
3. Infrastructure Development: Chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development.
4. Food Security & Climate Resilience: Led by the Secretary for Agriculture.
5. Science, Tech & Human Capital: Chaired by the Secretary for Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
6. Job Creation & Youth Development: Led by the Secretary for Youth Development.
7. Social Development & Protection: Chaired by the Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
8. Regional Devolution & Inclusivity: Led by the Secretary for Local Government and Public Works.
9. Image Building & International Relations: Chaired by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
10. Good Governance & Institution Building: Led by the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

This cluster system, engaging stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and civil society, is designed to foster “coherence, accountability and inclusivity.”. For continuity and impact, every subsequent government action—from budget allocations to, as suggested, cabinet compositions and public service mandates—must be consciously filtered through these ten priorities. The terminal evaluation of NDS1 currently underway will further inform this alignment, ensuring lessons learned are embedded in the next phase.

Constitutions as Living Frameworks for National Progress

While aligning current programs is essential, achieving a transformative vision like 2030 may also require examining the foundational rules of governance. A constitution is not a static relic but a living framework designed to evolve alongside a society’s aspirations and needs. Arguments against constitutional amendments often cite risks to stability. However, global history provides powerful counterexamples where such evolution has strengthened nations, protected rights, and enhanced democracy.

The United States Constitution, for instance, has been amended to rectify grave injustices and expand freedoms profoundly. The post-Civil War amendments (13th, 14th, 15th) abolished slavery and guaranteed equal protection and due process. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 24th eliminated poll taxes. Each change adapted the republic to a more just and inclusive modern reality without fracturing its foundation.

Similarly, South Africa’s 1996 Constitution, born from the struggle against apartheid, is hailed as one of the world’s most progressive. It explicitly allows for amendments and has used this process to refine anti-corruption measures and judicial reforms, enabling the document to evolve while staunchly protecting its core Bill of Rights.

Closer to home, Zambia has undertaken constitutional reforms aimed at enhancing electoral fairness and representation, such as introducing a mixed-member proportional representation system. While amendments can be complex and politically charged, they demonstrate an ongoing effort to adapt governance structures to meet contemporary democratic standards.

Uniting Strategy, Governance, and Foundational Law

The journey to Vision 2030, therefore, sits at the intersection of three powerful forces:

1. The strategic direction provided by NDS2 and its detailed priorities.

2. The operational alignment of all government institutions and programs to execute that strategy faithfully.

3. The adaptive resilience of the nation’s foundational governance framework to support such transformative growth.

The call for aligning cabinet and all state programs to NDS2 is, in essence, a call for purposeful governance. It ensures that every lever of state power pulls in the same direction toward the national vision. Concurrently, a mature national dialogue on the constitution recognizes that the supreme law of the land must be a catalyst for, not a constraint on, the nation’s legitimate aspirations. A constitution that can be thoughtfully amended to deepen democracy, entrench human rights, and streamline governance for development becomes a vital tool for realizing Vision 2030.

A Collective March Forward

President Mnangagwa has rightly stated that the success of NDS2 lies in its “comprehensive roll out and timeous execution,” anchored by robust coordination and accountability. This editorial argues that such execution requires a dual commitment: first, to the rigorous, day-to-day alignment of government under the NDS2 framework, and second, to the broader, continuing project of perfecting our national union through governance frameworks that live and breathe with the times.

Let us rally behind the NDS2 with unity of purpose. Let us also embrace the wisdom that nations, like the enduring institutions we celebrated earlier, are built step by step, through both steadfast commitment to core values and the courage to adapt. “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, liphinde lithandazelwe ngabanikazi balo “– the country is built, governed, and prayed for by its own people. Building the Zimbabwe we envision demands our collective effort, our unwavering focus, and our shared belief in a future forged by deliberate action and adaptable, resilient foundations.

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