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Michelle Moyo and Sikhulekelani Moyo, Chronicle Reporters

THE Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in partnership with BrandZa Communications has embarked on an outreach programme in Matabeleland region to gather feedback from local leaders on the success stories of National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which will be documented into a television series.

The outreach programme is a proactive step towards engaging local stakeholders and leaders in the region. Gathering feedback on the NDS1 success stories is crucial for assessing the strategy’s impact and making informed decisions for future economic policies.

NDS1 is part of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and aims to transform the country into a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society.

The programme brings opportunity for diverse communities to understand NDS1 and tell their success stories. It will be recorded into a TV show, which will be aired by all four TV stations in Zimbabwe.

Major projects under NDS1 include infrastructure development such as the construction of roads, dams, irrigations schemes, schools and clinics. The Presidential Input Scheme, which is meant to provide everyone with agricultural inputs to enhance food security for every household, is one of the key interventions.

Some projects have been completed and some are still in progress across the country.

The ministry, together with BrandZa Communications, which is the ministry’s media consultancy, was in Bulawayo last week to engage different stakeholders including chiefs around Matabeleland and associations that represent residents in Bulawayo.

In an interview with Chronicle Business, BrandZa Communications chief director Ms Zandile Khumalo said they were gathering feedback from local leaders about NDS1.

“We are here to tell the story of NDS1, moving around Matabeleland region and gathering feedback from local leaders on their success stories. Since the project started there are so many things that have been fulfilled in terms of projects that include construction of schools, clinics, houses, roads and drilling of boreholes,” she said.

“The President has said no one and no place should be left behind when it comes to development hence life-changing projects are spread across the country. We began our journey in Beitbridge and then we went to Gwanda, Bulawayo, Lupane, Hwange and Binga interviewing stakeholders that were involved in all major projects”.

Ms Khumalo said many people hear about development projects but do not fully understand without the visuals. 

“This is why we decided to go out and take the visuals and showcase what NDS1 is all about. When the TV series on NDS1 Success Stories Dialogues is out, people will understand better was is taking place across the country. The chiefs that we have spoken to were very excited about the development that is taking place,” she said.

The outreach team has NDS1 books, which have been translated into different  languages including Tonga, Ndebele, Nambia and Kalanga.

The Ministry of Finance’s communication and advocacy officer, Mr Innocent Nxumalo, told the participants at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre that Government is building communities through budgeting, planning and implementing development projects.

He said the Government through devolution is decentralising service from Harare to provinces, districts and communities in a bid to improve access to different services and accommodate everyone in decision-making.

Chief Dakamela from Nkayi District said he is partnering with the Government to empower communities in a bid to include everyone.. He said the Government has been implementing various high-impact community projects, which need to be showcased.

“In Nkayi, the Government is constructing Ziminya Dam and this project will improve the availability of water and boost agriculture. We also receive agriculture inputs through the Presidential Input Scheme, which is enhancing food production at household level,” he said.

The youthful chief appealed to the Government to fast-track  some of the projects being implemented in his area.