ZANU-PF Conference: Matabeleland demands development, not promises
by MKHOKHELI NCUBE
MAPHISA – THE announcement that Mahetshe Secondary School sports arena in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, will host the 2026 Independence Gala has been met with mixed reactions across the region.
While some local leaders welcome the event as a potential economic boost, others question whether such national gatherings ever translate into tangible development for the long-marginalised Matabeleland provinces.
A senior government official confirmed that preparations for the gala are underway.
“The gala will be held at Mahetshe Secondary School sports arena. We recently convened a meeting to kick-start preparations. The line-up will feature many artists from the Matabeleland region,” said the official.
The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and musicians from across the country — a development that could briefly inject money into local hospitality, transport, and informal trade sectors.
However, analysts argue that such short-term benefits cannot replace decades of economic neglect and underinvestment that have left Matabeleland lagging behind other regions.
Matabeleland North and South remain some of Zimbabwe’s least developed provinces, despite their vast mineral resources, tourism potential, and proximity to regional trade routes.
According to economists, both provinces suffer from poor infrastructure, low industrial investment, and chronic youth unemployment — issues that have persisted since independence.
Political analyst Dr. Mkhululi Ncube says ZANU-PF has failed to translate its political dominance into meaningful development in the region.
“Matabeleland has hosted numerous national events over the years — from conferences to Independence galas — but the reality is that very little changes afterwards,” said Dr. Ncube.
“People want roads, irrigation projects, and industries, not just music festivals.”
Ahead of its annual conference to be held in Matabeleland next year, ZANU-PF officials are touting the event as a “moment of renewal and empowerment” for locals.
Yet, residents remain skeptical, citing years of broken promises such as the unfulfilled Zambezi Water Project, incomplete Bulawayo–Nkayi and Plumtree–Tsholotsho roads, and stalled industrial revival initiatives.
A local entrepreneur in Maphisa, Nomusa Dube, voiced her frustration:
“Each time ZANU-PF brings a big event here, they promise development. But after the cameras leave, we’re forgotten again. We need consistent investment — not one-day galas.”
Economists say Matabeleland’s economy could thrive if government policies shifted toward decentralised industrialisation and inclusive budgeting.
The region has the potential to lead in livestock production, tourism, renewable energy, and cross-border trade with Botswana and South Africa.
“Matabeleland should not depend on national galas for visibility,” said business analyst Tawanda Moyo. “It should have sustainable economic programs driven by local industries and supported by fair government policies. The centralisation of resources in Harare has crippled regional growth.”
The upcoming ZANU-PF conference in Matabeleland is expected to be a high-profile affair, drawing attention to the ruling party’s development record in a region long seen as politically and economically alienated.
Insiders say the party wants to use the conference to “reconnect” with local communities — a move critics see as strategic image repair ahead of the 2028 general elections.
However, without tangible progress in infrastructure, job creation, and empowerment, such gatherings risk deepening public frustration rather than easing it.
For now, the people of Maphisa and surrounding areas will welcome the temporary economic activity that comes with the Independence Gala.
Vendors will sell, lodges will fill, and transport operators will make brisk business. But beneath the celebration lies a louder question — when will Matabeleland’s long-promised development truly arrive?
