As part of our poverty reduction and alleviation strategy, a ZPDP government will formulate policies and adopt practices that are geared towards the reduction and possible eradication of poverty in Zimbabwean communities.  We will place particular emphasis on rural communities as well as other vulnerable sections of the population such as people living on farms and in underdeveloped urban areas.

A ZPDP government will also ensure collaboration with international aid agencies and NGOs to increase the level of living standards and reduce poverty. Community education and empowerment will form the thrust of our policy towards poverty alleviation and reduction, with ready support for income generating projects as a way of ensuring self-sustenance for the poor in Zimbabwean society.

 A ZPDP government will encourage Zimbabweans to recognize and value the potential opportunities for locally earned prosperity and exert their efforts in the development of their country to create opportunities rather than seek them in other foreign countries.

Orphans and Vulnerable People

A ZPDP government will review Zimbabwe’s current orphan and elderly care policies and determine measures to reduce the vulnerability of orphans and elderly people in care.  We enlist support from international aid organizations, NGOs, community groups and individual families in the care and protection of Zimbabwe’s orphans and vulnerable populations.

Social Sector

The ZPDP social agenda will include the fight against poverty and social inequity and injustice.  The gap between Zimbabwe’s rich and poor today is alarming.  Less than ten percent of Zimbabweans live comfortably.  The remaining ninety percent of Zimbabweans are living in squalor and abject poverty.  This gap has widened as a direct result of the inequitable distribution of national wealth. 

In Zimbabwe today, those in positions of power and authority help themselves to national resources such as land, minerals and the treasury.  The poor working class and their dependants are left to eat off the crumbs and this is grossly unfair and unacceptable.

A ZPDP government will increase access to national resources for all deserving citizens.  Our government will overhaul the national social security and pension system and bring it in line with Zimbabwe’s ongoing inflationary situation.  The ZPDP will also work with labor bodies to secure for Zimbabweans a living wage that correctly reflects on the poverty datum line.

Housing

The living conditions of the generality of Zimbabweans are unacceptable in the twenty-first century.  Housing conditions in some parts of the urban areas and towns and cities are inhumane and unacceptable.  A ZPDP government will embark on a housing policy that is free of corruption, abuse, nepotism and politicking.  The reason why Zimbabweans have not benefited from successive housing initiatives under the ZANU PF government is mainly because such initiatives lack protection from abuse and corruption.

The ZPDP party views housing affordability, especially for the low and lower-middle income earners, as a top priority.  Our housing policy will include the direct involvement of government in providing the opportunity and creating the environment for individuals to own a house or land irrespective of their political affiliations.

Our housing policies will be tailored to alleviate abuse and corruption that results in the same people benefiting repeatedly.  We will put in place security measures that will put people on the housing list through a system of vetting that weeds out any potential repeat-beneficiaries.  We will also rid our housing policy of any politicking because politicians have made housing a campaign tool that has resulted in certain people being deprived of their right to decent housing simply because of their political affiliation.

Employment and Job Creation

A long-term ZPDP objective is to reduce unemployment that currently stands at 70% to single digit numbers by promoting and creating productive employment opportunities in all sectors of Zimbabwe’s economy.  Our policies on investment, training and employment creation will be designed to stimulate the development of small businesses, which create jobs and potentially offer good employment opportunities.

The ZPDP will also launch a major housing and public works plan involving urban road and drainage construction and environmental sanitation.  This will engage Zimbabwe’s youth and other unemployed artisans with housing and construction skills and provide them with gainful employment.

Women and youth cooperatives will be encouraged and assisted through access to available funding to enable them to set up income generating activities.  The ZPDP will encourage cooperatives to operate more as business enterprises and play an important role in job creation and poverty reduction.