Growth points—A focus for rural development in Zimbabwe

This paper briefly outlines the historical background and development of growth centres in Zimbabwe. It discusses the political thinking and the aims of the growth centre policy during colonial days, and how the broader concept of growth centres has been grafted onto the old since independence. Outlined are some of the problems related to poor planning, lack of an economic base, finance and poor infrastructural provisions. The paper also highlights the dreams of the planners and proponents of what an ideal growth centre would be. Envisaged in the plans was that the growth centres would become foci for rural development, provide services, employment and markets and undertake primary processing, as well as curb rural urban migration.

The paper, however, concludes that the growth centres are not the panacea that was envisaged, due to the fact that the economic base is poor and no meaningful economic linkages exist between the centres and the national economy. To date, these centres have been reduced to mere service centres and dormitory towns accommodating agricultural labour. The paper also concludes that the mere establishment of a centre cannot bring about rural development.

Finally, the paper suggests that, for growth centres to succeed, a deliberate policy of professional selection of the centres, planning and channelling of investment and resources into these centres, is a prerequisite to development. Planners have to recognize the relationship between these centres and agricultural production, and hence plan in that context. A further point is that political decisions will not bring about desired economic development unless a planned programme of action is executed.