In a big show of smart planning, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is making big moves to impress leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during their big meeting in Harare this August. He’s upgrading the country’s roads and building fancy villas. The plan includes having these leaders meet at the stunning new Parliament Building in Mount Hampden or at the fancy, newly fixed Hyatt Regency Harare/The Meikles, which used to be called Meikles Hotel.

This big effort comes at a crucial time. After a tough win in last year’s elections, which didn’t sit well with SADC leaders, Mnangagwa’s push goes beyond just being a good host. He’s really trying to win over political support and distract from Zimbabwe’s big economic and social problems. This move makes people wonder about what’s really important for leaders like him, not just in Zimbabwe but in other places too.

Leaders facing trouble at home and from the world often try to look good by fixing up their country’s look. Mnangagwa hopes that by showing off Zimbabwe’s nice new features, he’ll get a thumbs-up from other countries, which he thinks will help him look stronger at home and around the world.

But there’s a big problem. These leaders are spending a lot of time and money on these big projects instead of taking care of their own people’s needs. Things like health, education, and basic welfare are falling by the wayside. While new villas are going up, the basics that keep society running smoothly are getting ignored. This isn’t just happening in Africa; it’s a worldwide issue where looking good becomes more important than real progress.

The downside of this kind of leadership is clear. A country might look shiny for a little while, but that shine doesn’t last. Behind the glitter, people are still struggling, and the country faces ongoing problems. Putting too much into looking good can lead to wasting money and losing the trust of the people. Over time, this can shake the whole society, leading to upset and unhappiness among the people.

Also, trying to impress visitors from other countries is a quick fix that doesn’t solve the bigger, deeper issues. Showing off might bring some quick money or nods from other countries, but it doesn’t fix the real differences between the rich and the poor or the basic problems with roads and schools. This can make the gap between leaders and regular people even bigger, sometimes causing big problems and protests.

In Zimbabwe, as Mnangagwa rolls out the red carpet and shines up new buildings, the real challenge is what’s happening in the regular homes of Zimbabweans. Leaders need to focus more on making life better for everyone, not just making things look good from the outside. Real progress means making sure people are healthy, happy, and well, not just having nice buildings or smooth roads.

As leaders come to Harare, the world is watching. They’re waiting to see if this shine is part of real change or just a fancy cover on a shaky structure. The story in Zimbabwe reminds us how important it is for leaders to really take care of their people and make sure everyone is treated fairly and justly.