Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Second Republic, under the visionary and transformative leadership of President Mnangagwa, has consistently articulated a robust agenda centred on economic resuscitation and accelerated infrastructure development, translating into tangible signature projects across the nation.
While the country’s economic strides from currency stabilisation efforts to major infrastructural upgrades have rightly garnered widespread attention, true and enduring nation-building requires equal emphasis on achievements that mend the social fabric.
It is against this critical backdrop that the monumental success of the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme, recording over 18 000 testimonies in just a few months, demands equal recognition alongside the country’s documented economic growth.
This profound step towards national healing, is not merely a political accomplishment, it is the foundational prerequisite for sustained economic prosperity and the ultimate attainment of Vision 2030.
Enduring economic progress, the ultimate goal of the Second Republic, cannot be built on a foundation of unresolved historical trauma.
While the Government continues to drive economic growth through initiatives like the ZiG currency stabilisation and massive infrastructural development, addressing the sensitive Gukurahundi issue represents a critical investment in social capital and national stability.
The Gukurahundi outreach, therefore, acts as a crucial pillar supporting the entire Vision 2030 objective, ensuring that prosperity is rooted in a unified and confident nation.
The programme, which seeks to resolve the early 1980s disturbances through an internal, home-grown process, has validated the administration’s commitment to facilitating lasting healing and reconciliation that brings closure to past conflicts, aligning perfectly with President Mnangagwa’s unifying vision.
The overwhelming response to the chief-led outreach is the clearest indicator that affected communities are ready for dialogue and reconciliation.
The total of 18 015 submissions recorded as of October 29, 2025, demonstrates a deep and widespread trust in the process championed by traditional leaders from Matabeleland region to finally provide closure on the painful chapter in the country’s history.
Adding to this momentum, the gender breakdown is particularly insightful, confirming that women are leading the process, having submitted 10 827 testimonies, which represents 60.1 percent of all submissions.
This majority participation from the female demographic is essential, as women often bear the deepest scars of conflict and their engagement validates the initiative’s inclusivity and efficacy in addressing all aspects of the historical trauma.
In comparison, submissions from men account for 7188 testimonies, making up the remaining 39.9 percent.
National Chiefs Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, who is leading the traditional leaders in the process, commented on the high turnout of women, stating they are coming forward because they are the ones who carry the deepest wounds and therefore, have the greatest desire for the truth to be told and for the healing to begin.
“In our tradition, the woman is the holder of the family’s memory and the keeper of its pain,” he said.
“When we speak of ubuntu, it is often the women who embody it most, as they are the ones who must pick up the pieces and raise the children in the aftermath of tragedy. They are the ones who can truly bring the community back to a state of peace.”
This high level of female engagement is crucial for achieving genuine and sustainable peace.
Furthermore, the operational data confirms a genuine regional focus and acceptance: Matabeleland North province leads the process with 9 554 submissions (53.03 percent), closely followed by Matabeleland South province with 8 461 submissions (46.97 percent).
Crucially, the sheer volume of testimony necessitates an extension of the programme, a measure confirmed by the Attorney-General, Mrs Virginia Mabiza, who heads the secretariat of the Matabeleland Peacebuilding Outreach Programme.
“The overwhelming response from the communities has been truly remarkable and is a testament to the trust placed in our traditional leaders to spearhead this healing initiative,” said Mrs Mabiza.
“Given the numbers and the commitment to ensure inclusivity, the consultation process will likely be extended into next year to ensure every affected community member is accorded a fair opportunity to share their story.”
This deliberate pace and commitment to thoroughness align perfectly with the Second Republic’s guiding philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind” in national development and reconciliation efforts.
By courageously tackling this sensitive, decades-old trauma, an issue that was largely treated as a national taboo and remained officially silenced throughout the First Republic, President Mnangagwa’s administration is securing the social and political stability necessary to ensure that the country’s economic achievements are built on a solid foundation of national cohesion.
It is important to note that the success of the Gukurahundi outreach, now officially surpassing 18 000 testimonies, is not merely a social or political footnote; it is a foundational prerequisite for sustained economic prosperity under the Second Republic.
By courageously tackling this sensitive, decades-old trauma through an inclusive, chief-led process that is deeply trusted by communities as evidenced by the overwhelming response and the commitment to an extension, President Mnangagwa’s administration is securing the social and political stability necessary to ensure that the country’s impressive economic gains are built on a solid foundation of national cohesion, thereby charting a genuine path towards shared prosperity for all under the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
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