WE are emerging from a year where the foundation for the revival of our economy was laid.
The story thus far has been a resounding success.
And the road ahead looks bright.
Yet, looking back, what emerges is a picture of how not to run an economy.
We have learned several lessons from the period before November 2017.
Reckless spending, poor fiscal management and corruption were some of the vices that blighted our economy.
All that is being curtailed, culled, so that the much needed revival efforts start from a clean slate.
That is the kind of economy we want.
An economy that is not negated by debt but an economy that is spurred by inclusive and sustainable growth.
An economy which is anchored on the collective efforts of all Zimbabweans.
An economy that is driven by mutual benefits from all the parties concerned.
While it is an undeniable fact that the measures being currently implemented by Government have caused discomfort of sorts, the reality on the ground shows that we are headed in the right direction.
Figures emanating from the country’s tax collector, ZIMRA, point towards unprecedented growth.
They point towards sustained development.
In December 2018 alone, ZIMRA collected a hefty US$600 million.
And the projected revenue target is over US$6 billion for the year 2019.
What this means is that Government is in a position to cut excessive expenditure, otherwise known as budget deficit.
Over the years, the budget deficit has been the bane of our growth and development.
That will be dealt with this year.
2019 is a year of reconstruction.
It is a year of reconstituting our economy.
A year of redirecting the economy.
A year of reviving the economy.
A year of developing the economy.
This process involves and includes everyone.
It involves investors.
It involves farmers.
It involves miners.
It involves the business community.
And all these efforts must be underpinned by unity.
Political bickering, as history has proven, does little to uplift the livelihoods of the majority.
It alienates them and condemns them to poverty, suffering and ultimately exasperation.
We need to unite as a country in order to rebuild this economy.
We need to come together so that we walk the talk, towards our destiny.
Every sector in the country must play its role in the revival of the economy.
It is every Zimbabwean’s duty to be involved in the revival, growth and development of our economy.
But when all is said and done, there will always be those who will be opposed to the development of the country.
Those who will always throw spanners in the good work that Government is doing.
There are those who will always wave the political ticket in order to spite the prospects of development in the country.
They will always seek to destabilise the country so as to make a point.
2019 is a year in which such antics will not have room in the country’s developmental agenda.
2019 is a year in which hard work will be the war cry for the country.
2019 is a year where development will be the buzz word in all spheres.
Let us make this our year.