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At around 4am, on November 15, 2017, then Major General Sibusiso Moyo appeared on national television to deliver a message that brought the world to a proverbial standstill.

A few hours earlier, military tanks and other vehicles had been spotted rolling on the streets of Harare in an unusual fashion but quietly, taking strategic positions. Zimbabweans were in indescribable disbelief.

They didn’t know what was happening but rumours were doing the rounds that the military, fed up like the majority of Zimbabweans with the degenerating political and economic situation in the country, were stepping in.

It was an overnight operation that started at dusk on November 14, 2017, climaxing at dawn on the following day when Maj Gen Moyo, now a Lieutenant General (Retired), accompanied by Air Vice Marshal Jacob Nzvede, assuredly read the 580-word statement announcing that the military guaranteed the security of the then President Robert Mugabe and that the operation was only meant to account for criminals that were surrounding him.

“We wish to make this abundantly clear this is not a military takeover of government,” he said. “What the Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.”

The situation remained calm across the country with all businesses and government offices open. A fair amount of apprehension was clear though. Was there not going to be a counter action from somewhere?

Were guns not going to be fired? Happily, it turned out nothing of this would happen during Operation Restore Legacy.

Meanwhile, the military and Mr Mugabe remained in contact with Zanu-PF initiating its own process to remove Mr Mugabe from office in terms of the party constitution. The party’s Central Committee, its supreme decision-making body in between congresses, took a decision to remove him from his position as party leader three days later.

On the sixth day, Mr Mugabe resigned as State President as Parliament had started to debate an impeachment motion against him. The whole nation erupted with joy when Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda read Mr Mugabe’s resignation letter.

So it is exactly a year and one day from the day when Lt Gen Moyo, now the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, read that famous statement that set the country on the path to a new political dispensation that we are enjoying. In other words we mark the first anniversary of the new dispensation that has renewed the hope of the people for a better Zimbabwe.

President Mnangagwa, ably assisted by Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, are leading the country in its quest for greater socio-economic development.

The people will remember how weak Mr Mugabe had become as his wife, Grace and the G40 cabal of former ministers Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwawo and their minions took the country on the road to nowhere. It was clear that Mr Mugabe had become too old to effectively run the party and Government. At 93, his mind and body had weakened yet his wife and her associates wanted him to continue as a titular president of sorts while the real power reposed in them.

It was mayhem all over. The economy was going downhill with no prospects for a turnaround. We don’t think Mr Mugabe had an idea how the economic challenges could be addressed. Corruption was worsening particularly in the public sector that had lost its top steward.

Also, Zimbabwe was all alone as old friends and the West alike kept their distance.

In the party Zanu-PF, instability ruled. Key decisions were being taken at rallies by Mrs Mugabe. Scores were being fired from the party before any formal disciplinary procedures had been done. Cde Mnangagwa suffered the worst of the anarchy, culminating in his dismissal from the Government on November 6, 2017.

One year on, it is not difficult to see that the party, Zanu-PF, the Government and the country have regained their direction. Offices, roles and processes are now clear in Zanu-PF. The Government is running smoothly under the leadership of President Mnangagwa unlike in the pre-November 15, 2017, era when Mr Mugabe was only there in name, with his wife in charge.

We appreciate that economic challenges remain but we would be dishonest if we say there is no economic direction. The President has committed himself to ensuring that the economy attains middle income status by 2030. That goal will be attained through intensified attraction of investment from foreign and local sources, engagement and reengagement with the world, fighting corruption, job creation, promotion of democracy and responsible freedoms.

Just on Tuesday, the Government announced that it had approved investment projects worth $5,3 billion in various sectors of the economy. These investments came about over the past 12 months, a huge achievement for an economy that had gotten used to attracting an average of $500 million in investment commitments per year over the past decade and a half.

We have all the hope that Operation Restore Legacy has indeed restored the collective hope of the people of Zimbabwe for a brighter and more prosperous future.