Over the weekend, Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party held its 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo, the country’s second-largest city. This annual event was themed “Industrializing and Modernizing Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030.” But this wasn’t just any political meeting—it marked a major step toward reshaping Zimbabwe’s future.
A key issue discussed was the renaming of Zimbabwe’s provinces. Many provinces still carry colonial-era names, a reminder of the country’s history under British rule. Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, argued that it’s time to change these names. According to Chinamasa, keeping colonial names only divides the nation and clashes with Zimbabwe’s vision of unity and progress. He passionately urged the government to replace these old names with ones that celebrate Zimbabwe’s own heritage and culture.
But there was more than just renaming provinces. Chinamasa also highlighted the need to honor the people who fought in the liberation war that freed Zimbabwe from colonial rule. He called on the government to quickly complete the vetting process for the remaining war veterans to ensure their stories and sacrifices are formally recognized. Furthermore, he suggested building provincial museums across the country dedicated to preserving the memories of these war heroes. These museums, he added, could even include an “autobiography center” to document the lives of those who played vital roles in Zimbabwe’s journey to independence.
Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, officially opened the conference, underscoring his commitment to leading the country toward Zanu-PF’s Vision 2030 goals. Beyond the changes to provincial names and honoring veterans, the conference brought forward other ambitious resolutions. Among them were social reforms aimed at providing free healthcare for the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. The party also proposed economic reforms to strengthen Zimbabwe’s currency, the Zimbabwean dollar or ZiG, to improve stability and purchasing power in everyday life.
In the coming years, the changes outlined at this conference could have a transformative effect on Zimbabwe. For the Zanu-PF party, these steps are more than policy adjustments—they are part of a powerful effort to shape a modern, united, and proud Zimbabwe, one that acknowledges its past while firmly moving towards a prosperous future.
