Terrence Mwedzi
The late Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” and this is not just a statement, but it emphasizes that despite numerous challenges we face as a people or nation, we can achieve our goals, and all the tasks can be eventually completed.
And I should say after the completion of Zimbabwe’s first Trabablas interchange, the ZANU PF-led government turned words into action.
This alone tells us that everything can be achieved by dedication and true action.
In contrast, I firmly believe that any progress that the country has made should be celebrated, no matter how big or small, and this resonates well with the importance of baby steps in building a nation called Singapore.
In the 1960s, Singapore was a small, poor, and newly independent nation facing many challenges such as poverty, high unemployment, and racial tensions, etc., but under the leadership of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore built a nation through baby steps.
With the passage of time, they built modern infrastructure, fostered social cohesion, promoted economic development etc.
It’s possible… so as a nation, we don’t have to look down upon baby steps.
So, as a Zimbabwean citizen who wishes to see Zimbabwe grow and be counted among other nations, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the Second Republic for the completion of the ultra-modern Trabablas in the country’s capital, Harare.
This is a clear testament that the country is on an irreversible developmental trajectory, as citizens will be glad to see more of such projects being completed in the country.
I am confident that the completion of this multi-million-dollar project will improve the flow of traffic and promote regional development, turning a former congestion hotspot into a primary symbol of urban renewal.
In the same breath, Zimbabwe is a country that has been lagging in terms of development, but we are now moving in the right direction. I am quite sure that the moment we have been waiting for is finally here.
There have been some concerns that were raised by some citizens, which ignited online debate recently about the cost of the project, but Trabablas is a good project. As Zimbabweans, we need to change our mindset; there are times we need not criticize for the sake of criticizing.
I have seen some people saying the interchange was poorly done; some went to such an extent as to make AI-generated images as a way to make the whole project look bad. We need to promote the culture of positivity.
What is good is good, and we should rise above the political differences and think soberly; these national projects can benefit all of us.
In contrast, I would like to urge both public transporters and private motorists to read signage carefully or use Google Maps before they enter or navigate through the interchange to avoid carnage, as this kind of interchange is still new to many Zimbabweans.
We need more funds to be channelled towards road infrastructure; we need to see more roads being completed.
In the same vein, I would also like to applaud the government for giving local engineers and road construction companies the opportunity to do what they know best, and this resonates well with the government’s mantra: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabazinani balo.”
Yes, Trabablas is an excellent project, which has gone a long way in creating thousands of jobs. To conclude, I personally think it is time to give credit where it’s due.
Terrence Mwedzi is a writer, professional analyst, and international award-winning Poet. He writes to Digital Sunday Express newspaper in his own capacity. He is currently residing in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and can be contacted at +27611370088.
