UNITY IN PROGRESS: CHINHOYI PROVINCIAL INDABA IGNITES VISION 2030 MOMENTUM

By Violet Mashonga

CHINHOYI — A spirit of unity and purpose filled the air at the Chinhoyi Showgrounds on Saturday, 6 October, as Mashonaland West Province hosted a high-level Indaba focused on local development and devolution — a critical pillar in the realisation of Vision 2030.

The event brought together traditional leaders, councillors, government officials, and ruling party representatives from across the province. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, attended as the guest of honour, and was warmly received by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Marian Chombo, ZANU PF Provincial Chairperson, Cde Mary M. Mliswa, and Provincial Secretary for Administration, Councillor Misheck Nyarubere, among other dignitaries.

The gathering marked a critical moment in reaffirming the provincial leadership’s commitment to accelerating local-level implementation of Vision 2030 — the national agenda to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy within the next five years.

Minister Chombo opened the discussions by reaffirming the importance of devolution as a tool to empower communities and ensure that development is people-driven. Her message resonated strongly with the attendees, setting the stage for a day of focused dialogue on governance, service delivery, and grassroots participation.

Taking the podium, Minister Garwe called for strengthened accountability and performance within local authorities. He stressed that local councils are on the frontline of delivering essential services, and their success or failure has a direct impact on the quality of life for ordinary citizens. Using the example of Harare’s ongoing governance challenges, he urged all councils to adopt transparent and ethical practices that uphold public trust.

Throughout the Indaba, discussions revolved around key developmental areas — including infrastructure upgrades, housing, water and sanitation, and economic empowerment at the community level. There was also a strong emphasis on rebuilding social values, particularly discipline and Ubuntu, as cornerstones of community resilience.

What stood out most was the consistent call for collective effort. Speakers and participants alike underlined that Vision 2030 cannot be achieved through top-down policy alone — it requires collaboration between government, traditional leaders, councils, and the communities they serve. The President’s guiding philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo”, served as both a moral compass and a rallying cry throughout the proceedings.

The presence of senior provincial figures such as Cde Mliswa and Cllr Nyarubere reinforced the importance of political and administrative unity in achieving tangible outcomes. Their participation reflected the ruling party’s strategic alignment with government efforts to decentralise power and strengthen local development systems.

By the close of the Indaba, there was a clear sense that this was more than a ceremonial gathering — it was a platform for recommitment. The energy, dialogue, and shared vision on display in Chinhoyi suggested that Mashonaland West is poised to play a key role in driving Zimbabwe’s national transformation agenda forward.

As the country moves steadily toward 2030, one message from Chinhoyi rang clear: when leaders unite with purpose, progress is not just possible — it is inevitable.