Farmers and community representatives in Matabeleland North have declared that the country has “no pointers” of success and that the goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030 is now “totally out of reach.”
Speaking during a virtual debate hosted by the Bubi Community Parliament on Sunday, agricultural expert Ken Ndlovu said the government had “set a bar too high for itself” under the five-year blueprint, which runs from 2021 to 2025.
“It is by no means going to fully cover it,” Ndlovu said, warning that a full evaluation would require research akin to “a PhD paper.”
He stressed that realities on the ground sharply contrast with the plan’s promises.
The National Development Strategy 2 serves as Zimbabwe’s medium-term roadmap toward an empowered, upper middle-income society by 2030.
It focuses on economic growth, currency stability, infrastructure, food security, and industrialisation.
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But Ndlovu said little tangible evidence of success exists.
“Looking at both urban and rural infrastructure, Zimbabwe is way off the track,” he said.
He cited deteriorating roads, lack of communication networks, and inadequate healthcare and education facilities – particularly in rural Bubi district.
“There are no new hospitals, clinics, schools, roads. Rural facilities are worse than ten years ago,” he said.
On economic management, Ndlovu accused authorities of inefficiency and corruption, noting national debt has ballooned beyond US$21 billion.
He also criticised foreign investment — largely from Chinese firms — for failing to create meaningful jobs.
Regarding food security, he argued that command Agriculture had consumed vast resources without sustainable results.
On healthcare, he described the public system as “a disaster,” saying patients face “high risk of death rather than coming out alive.”
He also lamented a continued brain drain, with skilled graduates leaving for better wages abroad.
Another Bubi community member, Nelson Masukume, said NDS1 achieved several positives including stabilising the local currency, improving food security, and achieving GDP growth above five percent.
“Mining has been opening up all over,” Masukume said, adding that devolution funds have reached wards through parliament and rural district councils, with some schools benefiting.
But Ndlovu maintained that for ordinary Zimbabweans — especially in rural communities like Bubi — meaningful improvements remain elusive.
“With all drivers stated, it is totally out of reach to realise Vision 2030 in four years’ time,” he said.