FOR long, the story from Zimbabwe was one of massive potential and nothing more after that.
We struggled despite being one of the richest nations in the world in terms of natural and human resources.
But that has all changed.
The new dispensation made the nation a promise.
It would no longer be business-as-usual, we were promised; and for the first time our nation went to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Many businesspeople, political as well as other global leaders, flocked to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The movers and shakers had serious talks with the President.
“I had businesses, banks and other institutions lining up to see me. I am unable to fulfil some of the requests for meetings. So many leaders I have met who have promised to send representatives to Zimbabwe and are interested to invest,” said the President then.
Naysayers were quick to dismiss the developments as mere rhetoric.
Some said they had had enough of such talk that never really translated into anything significant. But in less than four months, we are commissioning plants.
Those courted and promised to come are indeed coming. Obviously this is a leadership that is not fooling around.
This is a leadership that is not engaging in idle talk; they mean what they say.
This leadership is not about rhetoric but results.
Indeed, as pointed elsewhere in the paper, it is time we all firmly get behind this leadership.
It is time we give them the opportunity to work without throwing spanners in the works.
Investments worth more than US$7 billion has already been attracted.
And all the projects to be carried out are not for the benefit of a few individuals or the well connected.
These are national projects that will benefit all the citizens from Manicaland to Matabeleland South, from Mashonaland West to Matabeleland North.
These are projects that will ensure sustainable development, not piecemeal growth.
As pointed out, let us not be unreasonable and demand the fruit from a tree just planted.
Constructive criticism is required for growth but we should not nurture a career of armchair critics.
It is clear that ongoing efforts by the country’s leadership are about enhancing the people’s capacity to provide for themselves and to be active participants in the socio-economic processes of their communities, society and nation.
Indeed, real empowerment is not about a few individuals enjoying the country’s cake on everyone’s behalf and as such, no one has been left out of the current economic revival agenda.
The leadership has been down to the districts, places hitherto unvisited.
We are being shown that real empowerment is about enhancing the capacity of individuals and opening up of opportunities for people to be active agents of their country’s prospects; putting people at the centre of development, not alienating them from the empowerment agenda.
Let us stop bickering and pulling each other down — a nation is a net result of the people’s collective efforts.
Our country is in capable hands, led by men and women who fully appreciate the ethos of the nation.
Thus the onus is on us the masses.
We must own and drive the development agenda, not just the leadership.
We all must work for the motherland and not shy from duty and our obligations.
Beyond doubt the country’s leadership is committed and will relentlessly pursue policies that empower our people.