By A Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s announcement of the Presidential Solar Programme is being widely viewed as a calculated move to bolster Zanu PF’s political base in rural areas, with critics arguing that the initiative is less about empowering villagers and more about reinforcing political loyalty ahead of upcoming elections.
The programme, which promises to provide solar power to 200,000 households across the country’s eight rural provinces, was unveiled by Information Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere during a post-cabinet briefing this Tuesday.
“Following the approval of the Implementation Plan for the Presidential Solarisation Programme in December 2024, significant milestones have been made towards the provision of solar power to 200,000 households,” Dr. Muswere said.
However, the timing and execution of this programme have raised concerns about its real intent. Skeptics believe it is a deliberate attempt by Mnangagwa to ingratiate himself with rural voters, especially those in areas where Zanu PF’s support has been under pressure.
The solar initiative is being touted as a solution to power shortages, but many see it as a tool for political grandstanding.
“The guidelines for the programme have been established, with stakeholder mapping and identification of beneficiaries already completed,” Dr. Muswere explained, pointing to the completion of community mobilization efforts across the rural provinces. But critics argue that the programme’s implementation could be skewed, with those loyal to the ruling party likely to be the first to benefit.
Villagers have already begun expressing doubts about the true motives behind the programme. Many suspect that this “solar gift” will be used as a form of political patronage, rewarding those who show unwavering support for Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF government.
The installation of the solar kits will reportedly be carried out by Youth Service graduates, with assistance from experts at the Harare Institute of Technology and the Rural Electrification Agency. But the question remains: will the solar power truly reach all households, or will it serve as a tool to further entrench political loyalty?
With Zanu PF’s stronghold traditionally rooted in rural areas, Mnangagwa’s government may be hoping this gesture will solidify that base as elections approach. It’s a pattern seen before: grand gestures aimed at securing votes in exchange for political allegiance.
In a country where the rural electorate is a key determinant in election outcomes, Mnangagwa’s solar programme risks being perceived not as an act of goodwill, but as a deliberate attempt to hoodwink villagers and consolidate his party’s power in the most vulnerable regions.
This move, while touted as a step towards rural development, could also be seen as a calculated gimmick—designed to distract from the country’s ongoing economic hardships while reinforcing Zanu PF’s control over Zimbabwe’s rural population.