Why NDS2 Is Zimbabwe’s Moment to Deliver

By Regina Pasipanodya

As Zimbabwe moves from National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to the ambitious rollout of NDS2, we find ourselves at a critical point—not just in policy, but in national identity.

The question isn’t whether we have a plan.

We do.

The question is whether we, as a people and a government, will rise to the challenge of delivery.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent call for ZANU-PF to lead the implementation of NDS2 is more than a political directive; it is a national summons.

A call to action.

A moment to prove that Zimbabwe’s development agenda is not just a document stored away in government offices, but a living agreement with the people.

NDS1 laid the groundwork.It stabilized the economy, improved public sector efficiency, and began the long-overdue process of renewing infrastructure.

We rehabilitated roads, revived irrigation schemes, and expanded digital infrastructure.

But any builder knows that laying a foundation is only the start.

NDS2 must now be the time for visible, measurable change.

It must bring clean water to the borehole, electricity to the rural clinic, and broadband to the school in Dotito or Tsholotsho.It must turn policy into progress—and progress into pride.

NDS2 focuses on key areas: economic growth, infrastructure development, human capital, governance, and environmental sustainability.

These are not just goals; they are the framework of a new Zimbabwe.

– Economic Growth: With agriculture and mining leading the way, Zimbabwe is set to become a regional breadbasket and mineral hub.

The Belarus-Zimbabwe mechanization program, for example, is already transforming productivity in rural areas.

NDS2 must ensure that smallholder farmers are included in this mechanization effort.

– Infrastructure Development: The Harare-Beitbridge highway is more than a road; it stands for connectivity, trade, and national pride.

NDS2 must replicate this success across provinces, making sure that no region is left behind.

– Human Capital Development:Education and health are essential; they drive productivity.

NDS2’s emphasis on skills development, especially in science and technology, is a positive change.But we need to go further—ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has access to quality education and digital tools.

– Governance: A development plan without accountability is like a house built on sand.NDS2’s focus on results-based management and citizen feedback is vital.

Let’s not shy away from scrutiny; it is crucial for good governance.

– Environmental Sustainability:

From the Geo Pomona waste-to-energy project to climate-smart agriculture, NDS2 understands that development must be sustainable.

Our future depends on it.

Development is often seen as something done to people rather than with them.

NDS2 must change that.

It should democratize development, where communities are not just beneficiaries, but partners in progress.

This means strengthening local authorities, empowering ward development committees, and ensuring every budget line tells a story.

It also means using platforms like “Harare at Spotlight” to amplify city voices in national discussions.

It means making development personal.

For NDS2 to be successful, we must measure what truly matters.Not just GDP growth, but household income.

Not just kilometers of roads, but time saved during travel.Not just enrollment numbers, but literacy rates.

Let’s be bold in our metrics and honest in how we report them.

The government’s commitment to quarterly performance reviews and public dashboards is a step in the right direction.

But these tools must be accessible, clear, and actionable.Data should not only guide policy; it should empower people.

No government can accomplish this alone. NDS2 must attract partnerships—local and international, public and private.

The success of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the lithium boom, and rural industrialization all demonstrate what is possible when vision meets collaboration.

However, partnerships must be principled.Investors need to align with our national goals, respect our sovereignty, and provide real value to communities.

Zimbabwe is open for business, but not for exploitation.Ultimately, NDS2 is about more than projects; it’s about fostering a new culture.A culture of delivery.

A culture where civil servants act as enablers, not gatekeepers.

Where youth become job creators, not just job seekers. Where every citizen sees their place in the national story.

This cultural shift starts with leadership, but it must spread to every ministry, council, and village.It should be evident in how we plan, budget, communicate, and serve.

As Africa looks toward Agenda 2063 and the world strives for the Sustainable Development Goals, Zimbabwe cannot afford to sit back.

We have the land, the people, the minerals, and the vision.

What we need is the will.NDS2 is our opportunity to show that Zimbabwe can deliver.

That we can build not only roads and dams, but also trust, dignity, and opportunity.

That we can transform strategy into narrative, and narrative into legacy.