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Source: Govt commends Church for nation-building – herald

Mukudzei Chingwere in MASVINGO

VICE PRESIDENT Dr Constantino Chiwenga has commended the Church for building communities, strengthening moral values and supporting national development.

He was speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa at St Patrick’s Mission, Gokomere, in Masvingo province.

“The Church, through its institutions, remains a vital partner in advancing Government’s national agenda. Across Zimbabwe, faith-based organisations provide education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and moral guidance,” said VP Chiwenga.

“They strengthen family values, promote peace and nurture responsible citizenship. In doing so, they reinforce Government’s efforts to build a society anchored on dignity, discipline and opportunity. Government recognises the Church as a pillar of social cohesion and moral renewal. Where Government builds infrastructure, the Church builds conscience. Where Government provides policy direction, the Church provides the ethical compass. Together, we form a partnership that ensures that development is not only material, but also spiritual; not only economic, but also moral.”

He also expressed the Government’s “profound appreciation” to the Church for its “unwavering service to our nation”.

“Your daily work in schools, hospitals, clinics, parishes, orphanages and communities contributes significantly to social cohesion and national development,” said VP Chiwenga.

He also framed Bishop Mupandasekwa’s Silver Jubilee as more than a milestone of years in office, but a moment of grace and an opportunity for the Church in Masvingo to give thanks for 25 years of priestly ministry.

He said 25 years of priesthood is a testimony of fidelity, sacrifice and leadership.

Bishop Mupandasekwa’s leadership, VP Chiwenga said, had made an impact in education, healthcare, social outreach and community development, areas that directly influence people’s lives.

He has also been influential in developing institutions that provide young people with both academic opportunities and moral formation, including initiatives linked to schools and mission projects.

The projects include the revival of mission farms in Masvingo, which aligns with national efforts such as Education 5.0, rural industrialisation and the drive towards food security.

“Beyond the altar, your leadership has translated into meaningful development,” said VP Chiwenga.

“We commend your role in spearheading major infrastructural projects, including the construction of Our Lady of Perpetual Help primary and secondary schools in Chinhoyi Diocese.

“These institutions continue to empower young people through quality education and moral formation.

“Here in Masvingo Diocese, your revival of mission farms at Gokomere, Mukaro, Bondolfi and Silveira demonstrates strategic vision in community, promoting sustainability, self-reliance and empowerment,” added VP Chiwenga.

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Source: ZDF committed to supporting national development — Min Muchinguri-Kashiri – herald

Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub

THE Government is investing in specialised training, modern technologies and regional cooperation initiatives to ensure the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) remains prepared to counter evolving security threats, safeguard the country’s sovereignty and support national development, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.

In an interview ahead of the 46th Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day commemorations on Tuesday, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said training, modernisation and regional cooperation remain central to strengthening the capabilities of the country’s defence forces.

She said preparations for this year’s commemorations are now complete, with President Mnangagwa, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, expected to preside over the main event at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

Provincial commemorations will also be held across the country’s 10 provinces under the stewardship of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri urged members of the defence forces and the public to remain united in defending Zimbabwe’s peace, security and territorial integrity. She also called on Zimbabweans to attend the commemorations in large numbers, saying an exciting programme had been lined up.

“We look forward to exciting and memorable commemorations. The major highlight of the commemorations will be the speech by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa,” she said.

The celebrations will feature military parades, ceremonial drills and capability displays by the ZDF, alongside performances by civilian artistes.

Security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of those attending.

As part of the afternoon programme, Rufaro Stadium will host a football match between a ZDF select side and the Namibian Defence Force team.

The commemorations, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri added, build on the annual Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Week, which ran from August 3 to 7, and reflects the military’s contribution to national development.

Under the programme, the ZDF has been handing over completed community projects, including schools and other public infrastructure, in all the country’s 10 provinces.

She said beyond its constitutional mandate of defending the nation, the ZDF continues to play an important role in socio-economic development.

“They also support national development through disaster response, infrastructure projects, healthcare and peacekeeping,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri added that the defence forces have made significant contributions in disaster management, humanitarian assistance, landmine clearance and infrastructure development, improving the lives of communities across the country.

Paying tribute to serving and retired members of the ZDF and their families, she commended their dedication, professionalism and sacrifices in service of the nation.

“Professionalism is reinforced through continuous training, military education and strict adherence to the regulatory framework. International cooperation also helps maintain high professional standards as it enables us to exchange notes on pertinent issues,” she said.

On gender equality, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said expanding opportunities for women within the defence forces has remained one of her priorities since becoming Zimbabwe’s first female Minister of Defence.

“The first issue that I looked into was the proportion of women that were serving in a number of areas, given, of course, that we didn’t have any women amongst the generals, the top echelons of defence. We discovered that there were no female generals at all levels — Major-Generals and Lieutenant-Generals,” she said.

She noted that since then, several female officers have been promoted to senior ranks, including Brigadier-General, Major-General and Lieutenant-General, while women continue to make valuable contributions across the defence forces in leadership, as well as operational and peacekeeping roles.

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Source: IMF approves first review of Zimbabwe’s Staff-Monitored Programme – herald

Business Reporter

IMF Management has approved the completion of the first review under Zimbabwe’s 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP), following strong programme implementation through end-March 2026.

All five quantitative targets were met, including those on the primary budget balance, net international reserves, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe credit to the non-financial public sector, external borrowing, and monetary base growth. However, the indicative target on protected social and priority spending was missed, reflecting under-execution in key programmes including the Basic Education Assistance Module, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa agricultural scheme, and the Social Protection Management Information System.

Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 8.3 percent in 2025, up from 1.7 percent in 2024, supported by improved agricultural production, robust mining activity, and favourable gold prices. Growth momentum continued into early 2026. Inflation has remained low, with annual CPI inflation reaching 3.2 percent in July, reflecting tight monetary conditions and relative exchange rate stability. The IMF projects growth at 5 percent in 2026 and 4.2 percent over the medium term, with inflation expected to remain in single digits under tight policies. The current account surplus is projected to narrow but remain robust at 3.2 percent of GDP this year.

The fiscal primary balance through end-March exceeded programme targets by about US$320 million (0.5 percent of GDP), supported by robust revenue collection. However, spending exceeded programme targets by 0.4 percent of GDP, mainly in transfers and subsidies. The programme supports the authorities’ commitment to maintain spending within the approved 2026 National Budget, while saving additional revenues to build buffers for potential food-security needs in 2027. To address fiscal risks, staff proposed adding a new quarterly floor on government deposits and a ceiling on gold-incentive payments of US$300 million. The authorities also committed to reviewing regulations under the Public Debt Management Act governing liability-management operations, and to ensuring domestic arrears are cleared through budget allocations after verification and audit.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe maintained a tight monetary policy stance through contained money growth. The exchange rate market has remained stable, with the Willing-Buyer-Willing-Seller ZiG-USD exchange rate appreciating slightly through Q1 before weakening more recently. The parallel market premium fell marginally from around 19 percent at the beginning of the year to around 16 percent in the latest data. Staff welcomed the operationalisation of the ZiG-denominated term deposit facility as a step toward indirect monetary policy instruments, and recommended phasing out non-negotiable certificates of deposit as reliance on market-based tools increases.

Zimbabwe’s external public debt is assessed as unsustainable and in distress, with total public and publicly guaranteed debt estimated at US$22.7 billion (38 percent of GDP) at end-2025. The successful completion of the first review marks an important step in consolidating recent stabilisation gains and strengthening Zimbabwe’s track record of policy implementation in support of arrears clearance, debt restructuring, and re-engagement with the international community.

IMF Management approved the review on July 27, 2026. The remaining test dates under the 10-month SMP are set for end-June and end-September 2026.

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Source: See the bigger picture: A call for hope, faith and national reflection

As Zimbabweans take time to rest, travel and spend precious moments with family and friends during this holiday, we should also pause and reflect on the bigger picture of our lives and the future of our nation.


By Tatenda Hwari


The Bible tells us in Genesis 15:4–5 that God took Abraham outside and told him to look towards the heavens and count the stars, promising that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Abraham had to look beyond his immediate circumstances and trust what God had promised.

This is an important lesson for us as individuals and as a nation: we must learn to see beyond what is immediately in front of us.

Sometimes circumstances can make us focus so much on our present difficulties that we lose sight of the possibilities that lie ahead. However, faith teaches us to look beyond our limitations and believe that a better future is possible.

As Zimbabweans, we need to see the bigger picture.

Our nation has faced many challenges, but our story should not be defined only by our difficulties. We must also recognise our potential, our young people, our natural resources, our creativity and the many possibilities that lie before us.

Seeing the bigger picture does not mean ignoring reality. Rather, it means refusing to allow present circumstances to determine our entire outlook on the future.

There is a powerful connection between vision and mindset. The way we think influences the way we respond to challenges. As Christians, we are reminded that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Therefore, our outlook should be shaped by faith, wisdom, hope and a commitment to what is good.

We should not become a people who only see what is wrong. We must also have the courage to imagine what Zimbabwe can become.

Our young people need to see a future worth building. Families need hope. Communities need people who are willing to contribute towards solutions rather than simply criticise problems. Leaders need vision, integrity and the courage to think beyond the present moment.

The bigger picture also requires us to understand that life is more than material success. As believers, our ultimate perspective is eternity. Hebrews 11 presents men and women who trusted God even when they did not immediately see the fulfilment of His promises. Their faith was not merely about receiving something from God; it was about trusting Him and remaining obedient.

That is a lesson worth carrying into our national life. Progress requires patience, responsibility, sacrifice and a willingness to work for something greater than ourselves.

As we enjoy this holiday, let us therefore take time to appreciate life, reconnect with our families, encourage one another and reflect on the future we want to build.

Let us see beyond today’s challenges.

Let us see beyond political, social and economic divisions.

Let us see beyond our individual interests.

Let us see the bigger picture.

And as we travel during this holiday, I would like to wish every Zimbabwean a blessed, peaceful and safe holiday. To those travelling across the country, please exercise great caution on the roads. Avoid unnecessary speeding, remain alert, respect other road users and make safety a priority. Your life is precious, and your loved ones are waiting for you to return safely.

May this holiday be a time of rest, reflection, gratitude and renewed hope.

As a nation, may we learn to look beyond where we are today and begin to see where we can go tomorrow.

The future requires vision. The future requires faith. The future requires all of us to see the bigger picture.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

Tatenda Hwari
Email: tatehwari@gmail.com

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LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s story is set to return to the big screen, with Lionsgate targeting a late 2027 or early 2028 release for the sequel to the blockbuster biopic Michael.

According to AllHipHop.com, Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson provided the clearest indication yet of the studio’s plans during its first-quarter earnings call, telling analysts that production on the follow-up could begin as early as late 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

Fogelson said the studio was currently looking at a release window in late 2027 or the first half of 2028, although he stressed that the timetable remains subject to change.

The sequel would extend the story of Jackson beyond the period covered by the first film, which concluded in 1988 around the beginning of his hugely successful Bad world tour.

Director Antoine Fuqua has previously indicated that substantial material filmed for the original movie did not make the final theatrical cut and could potentially be used in the sequel.

According to comments reported by Deadline, approximately one-third of the footage shot for the first film was left out of the final version. Some of that material reportedly covers events beyond the timeframe of the original movie and could help the filmmakers develop the second instalment without having to recreate every period from scratch.

The sequel is expected to explore the most dramatic and controversial chapters of Jackson’s later career, potentially spanning the 1990s and 2000s.

That period encompasses Jackson’s extraordinary global success following Bad, his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, the emergence of allegations of child sexual abuse, the highly publicised legal proceedings that followed, the impact of intense media scrutiny on his career and personal life, and the circumstances surrounding his death in 2009.

The first film deliberately stopped before those events, ending with Jackson preparing for the Bad tour and a title card declaring that “His Story Continues”.

That decision now appears to have been strategically important for Lionsgate, allowing the studio to divide Jackson’s extraordinarily complicated life and career across multiple films.

The commercial performance of Michael has also given the studio a powerful incentive to continue the franchise.

The first instalment crossed the US$1 billion mark worldwide, establishing itself as one of the most commercially successful music biopics ever made and surpassing previous major musical biopic successes such as Bohemian Rhapsody.

The result has transformed Michael from a conventional biographical film into a major global entertainment property, with Jackson’s music catalogue, enormous international fan base and continuing cultural influence providing the sequel with a potentially substantial audience.

Fuqua has previously expressed a strong desire to return to the director’s chair.

“It would kill me if somebody else did it,” Fuqua reportedly told Deadline earlier this year when discussing the possibility of another filmmaker taking over the project.

However, Lionsgate has yet to formally confirm the director, cast, production budget or detailed storyline for the sequel.

Jaafar Jackson, who portrayed his uncle in the first film, would be the obvious focal point for any continuation, although the studio has not yet announced the full casting arrangements for the second instalment.

The sequel will also face a considerably more complicated storytelling challenge than the first film. Jackson’s later years were marked by extraordinary artistic achievements alongside intense public controversy, legal battles and unprecedented media attention.

For the filmmakers, the task will be to balance Jackson’s musical legacy with the difficult and contested events that shaped the final two decades of his life.

The original Michael demonstrated the enormous commercial appetite for Jackson’s story. Its billion-dollar global performance suggests that audiences remain deeply interested in the singer decades after his death.

If Lionsgate maintains its current timetable, production could begin within months, with the sequel potentially becoming one of the biggest music-driven theatrical releases of 2027 or 2028.

For now, however, the studio is keeping the details under wraps as development moves forward, with Fogelson cautioning that casting, budget and story specifics have yet to be finalised.

One thing appears increasingly certain: Michael Jackson’s cinematic story is far from over.

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