WHILE the government has a duty to provide and protect its citizens, the citizens likewise have a duty to support and complement government programmes to ensure success and a better life for everyone.
The government has in recent years implemented a number of programmes meant to empower people and boost the economy, yet some in opposition politics have been hell-bent to scuttle such initiatives. Some members of the civil society, sponsored by some hostile Western bodies, have also joined the fray to plant seeds of turmoil and disturb peace and stability, something that is uncalled for.
Nonetheless, we urge the nation to take heed of the message from President Mnangagwa. The President has always preached peace, unity and urged everyone to work towards the economic recovery of the country. And last week, he reiterated that political parties, non- governmental organisations and churches should mobilise their followers towards production to make Zimbabwe the regional agricultural hub again.
Officially launching the US$51 million farm mechanisation facility from Belarus in Harare, the President urged Zimbabweans to focus on production to improve their livelihoods and shun violence.
With his Government having taken pragmatic steps to climate-proof agriculture through farm mechanisation for large-scale farms, provision of inputs for farmers, both those with drought power and those without under the popular Pfumvudza farming concept, the President said there was no excuse for not producing.
“I call upon all our Zimbabwean citizens to occupy themselves with the concept of productivity and abandon the dreaming they have in mind of demonstrations and violence. I encourage all political parties, churches and non-governmental organisations to mobilise our communities to be more productive leveraging on Government policies and programmes.
“My administration remains open to ideas, perspectives, opportunities, partnerships and investments to revamp and grow the sector and the economy at large. As evident in the success scored to date, due to the robust and responsive policies being implemented by my Government and the active involvement of all Zimbabweans, I have no doubt that Vision 2030 will soon be a success.”
The United Nations says the existence of peace, security, stability and good governance is a prerequisite to achieve sustainable economic development. Janus, Heiner and Gerrit Kurtz (2014) add that; “Rhetorically speaking, all agree: peace, security and development belong together.
The experience with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) supports this statement. Countries that are affected by conflict, violence and political instability are the furthest away from achieving the MDGs. According to the World Bank, two thirds of the poorest people in the world and 60% of the malnourished live in regions affected by conflict. Current trends indicate that extreme poverty will be increasingly concentrated in fragile states.”
Peace is a key component of sustainable development. A healthy business environment is important for development, and in conflict-ridden communities, business operations are disrupted due to the unreliable social services and the prevalence of social problems such as poverty, hunger and inequality.
In order to escape direct, structural and/or cultural violence, businesses may be forced to close down and move to safer locations, even as the people remaining in these conflict-ridden areas experience poverty, hunger and decreased opportunities, says online blogger, Matthew McLaughlin (2017). It is therefore the duty of every Zimbabwean to make sure that the situation is conducive for economic growth and development.