Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday challenged the ruling ZANU PF highest decision-making organ between congresses to embrace disciplined, ideologically grounded and results-oriented leadership as the party intensifies efforts to realize the national vision to become an upper middle income society by 2030.
Officially opening the Strategic Seminar for Politburo members at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, President Mnangagwa, who is also the Zanu PF First Secretary, said the workshop was taking place at a defining moment in the party’s evolution and should serve as a platform to strengthen leadership capacity in a rapidly changing socio-economic and political environment.
“This Strategic Seminar takes place at a defining moment in the Party’s evolution as we accelerate the realization of Vision 2030. The current development epoch of our nation demands political astuteness from the leadership as well as constitutional consciousness, ideological clarity and disciplined collective action,” he said.
He said the venue of the workshop embodied the sacrifices and solidarity that secured independence, sovereignty and democracy, making it a fitting setting for the party’s executive structure to recommit itself to its constitutional mandate.
President Mnangagwa described the seminar as a fundamental intervention to sharpen the capacity of the Politburo to discharge its duties effectively, urging members to envision the ZANU PF of both the present and the future.
He reminded members that the ZANU PF ideology, Gwara reMusangano, was forged during the liberation struggle and remains anchored on nationalism, Pan-Africanism, sovereignty, anti-imperialism, social justice and people-centered development.
“Ideological clarity is not optional, but the life-blood of our colossal movement,” he said, warning against retrogressive political vices that threaten party discipline and the gains of the revolution.
President Mnangagwa stressed that the party constitution, congress resolutions and long-held traditions should remain the moral compass for every member, with collective leadership taking precedence over personal preferences.
“We must abide by the correct line of the Party and never personal beliefs,” he said.
He underscored the constitutional mandate of the Politburo as the executive committee of the Central Committee, saying it carries the responsibility of driving the implementation of both party and government programs.
“This demands a leadership that is loyal, patriotic, honest, resilient and disciplined,” he said, calling for ethical conduct, a results-driven culture and shared responsibility.
President Mnangagwa also urged members to reflect on their performance within their respective departments and assess their impact on lower party structures.
“Ngatizvibvunzei kuti tiri kuiteyi kushandira musangano wedu nezvigaro zvatiinazvo (leyt us ask ourselves what we are doing to work for our party with the positions that we hold),” he said, and called on leaders to intensify mobilization efforts while putting in place mechanisms to sustain growth.
On governance, President Mnangagwa highlighted the interconnection between the party constitution and the national Constitution, saying party supremacy should be reflected through policy synergy and complementarity with government Ministries, departments and agencies.
The role of party leaders in combating corruption cannot be over emphasized, he said, calling for strengthened accountability and transparency mechanisms.
“ZANU PF should boldly promote the consistent implementation of resolutions on anti-corruption and enforce clean governance without fear or favour,” he said.
Turning to foreign policy, President Mnangagwa reminded senior party leaders that their conduct and pronouncements carry far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe’s image. He reiterated the country’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and sovereign equality among nations, declaring: “Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy of none.”
Looking beyond immediate political cycles, President Mnangagwa urged the Politburo to think strategically about the country’s long-term trajectory, saying realizing Vision 2030 should not limit national aspirations, but rather inspire forward-looking deliberations focused on sustainability, rural industrialization, technological innovation, human capital development and environmental stewardship.
“As a revolutionary Party, we must plan beyond electoral cycles; we must plan for posterity. ZANU PF remains a Party for the future,” he said.
New Ziana