Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Zim to host COMESA Summit in October – herald

Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter

ZIMBABWE will assume the Chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa in October when it hosts the regional bloc’s 25th Heads of State and Government Summit aimed at promoting economic integration, industrialisation and investment.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had approved the hosting of the summit, which will be held on October 22.

The summit will run under the theme, “One market one future: Advancing inclusive industrialisation, investment and regional integration in COMESA.”

It will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum on October 20 and the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on October 21.

“Cabinet considered and approved the hosting of the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit on 22 October 2026 as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Prof Amon Murwira,” said Minister Soda.

“The objective of the Summit is to advance the principles of industrialisation, investment and regional economic integration.”

Zimbabwe will take over the chairmanship of the regional bloc from Kenya.

The hosting of the summit and assumption of the COMESA chairmanship comes soon after President Mnangagwa’s tenure as Chairperson of SADC, reflecting Zimbabwe’s growing role in regional and continental affairs.

COMESA, which was established more than three decades ago, is a regional economic community dedicated to promoting free trade, economic cooperation and sustainable development among its 21 member States.

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Source: President, SA royalty rally for unity . . . ‘Visit affirms enduring cultural, historical ties’ – herald

Debra Matabvu-Herald Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa and South African traditional leaders yesterday reaffirmed the historic bonds between Harare and Pretoria, calling for peace and unity amid rising anti-immigrant tensions that have unsettled migrant communities in the neighbouring country.

The President hosted Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and a high-level delegation of South African traditional leaders at State House in Harare, where the leaders underscored the role of traditional institutions in fostering peaceful co-existence, preserving shared cultural heritage and strengthening regional solidarity.

The official meeting followed a private engagement between President Mnangagwa and King Misuzulu on Monday, with yesterday’s discussions bringing together senior Government officials and members of the South African royal delegation.

Posting on his official X handle after the meeting, President Mnangagwa described the visit as an affirmation of the enduring cultural and historical bonds that unite Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“This morning, it was an honour and a privilege to welcome His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini of AmaZulu, along with his esteemed royal delegation and traditional leaders from South Africa, to State House in Harare.

“Our meeting reinforces the deep, historical, and unbreakable cultural bonds that unite the people of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“Traditional leadership remains a cornerstone of our African identity, preserving our rich heritage and guiding our communities towards peace and unity.

“Zimbabwe continues to open its doors to our regional brothers and sisters as we strengthen these foundational ties.

“We look forward to continued collaboration, mutual respect, and shared prosperity between our nations.”

Speaking to journalists after yesterday’s meeting, Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the discussions focused on how traditional leadership could contribute to addressing social and economic challenges that have fuelled anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa.

He said the recent tensions should not be viewed simply as hostility towards foreign nationals, but as symptoms of deeper structural economic problems inherited from apartheid.

“He came here with a very powerful delegation which also included King Ndamase of the AmaMpondo aseNyandeni Kingdom in South Africa.

“They are from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal,” said Amb Mutsvangwa.

“These are the areas where there has been some tension, some upswell of activity, weaponised poverty to get Africans to fight against each other and they felt that as kings they have a role to play and they respect President Mnangagwa as a regional leader, as a liberation fighter of standing, and they did not want their message to be filtered through third parties.”

He said the South African monarchs specifically requested a direct audience with President Mnangagwa.

“They requested for a personal audience with the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and they had a very successful meeting with the President.

“It is the second meeting in as many days. Yesterday (Monday) it was private, this morning it was official.

“The President called in his ministers and his court to come to listen to the King and this afternoon he is going to host them at a luncheon before they go back to South Africa.”

Amb Mutsvangwa said the meeting explored how traditional institutions could complement Government efforts in promoting regional peace, economic development and labour mobility.

“All in all, it was a very cordial meeting, mapping the future of the two countries together and also to see how historical and traditional structures can come to play as we grapple with post-colonial challenges which come from our apartheid and racist past.

“We see it as a challenge of development and they also delved into how the two countries and the two kingdoms can co-operate with Zimbabwe so that we can have more organised labour movement, more job opportunities so people can stay where they should be and where labour can move without the challenges of competing for scarce employment opportunities.”

Prime Minister to King Misuzulu, Mr Phathisizwe Chiliza, said the delegation’s visit was intended to strengthen peace and harmony between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“We want to thank the President of Zimbabwe and his delegation because as the delegation and the Ministers have said, we are here to make sure that there is peace, there is harmony between these nations,” he said.

“That is what we are here for, to support the King, to make sure that the dream of the King is a success.”

King Ndamase, who chairs the King’s Forum of South Africa, said the discussions had strengthened relations between traditional leaders in the two countries.

“We had a warm welcome from the President,” he said.

“Therefore, I think that from now onwards, the bond on traditional leadership of this nation and the traditional leadership of South Africa will make peace and harmony within the African continent.”

The visit came at a particularly difficult time for the region following renewed anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, where some groups have blamed undocumented foreign nationals for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

The demonstrations have caused anxiety among migrant communities, including Zimbabweans, who constitute a significant portion of foreign nationals living in South Africa.

In recent weeks, the Government has also facilitated the voluntary return of some Zimbabwean nationals amid concerns over their safety.

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Source: Govt-led repatriation programme benefits 100k – herald

Mukudzei Chingwere-Senior Reporter

A MASSIVE Government-led repatriation and reintegration programme has assisted nearly 100 000 Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, as authorities intensify efforts to cushion citizens affected by anti-migrant unrest and growing hostility towards foreigners in parts of the neighbouring country.

Latest figures presented to Cabinet yesterday show that 99 418 citizens were assisted to return home between May 28 and July 10, making it one of the largest co-ordinated repatriation exercises undertaken by Government in recent years.

The returnees have been arriving through Beitbridge Border Post amid ongoing anti-migrant protests, vigilante actions and unofficial campaigns targeting foreigners in parts of South Africa.

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Government, working through an Inter-Ministerial Committee and development partners, had significantly scaled up support systems to cater for the increasing number of returnees.

“The nation is being informed that through collaborative efforts, the Inter-Ministerial Committee and development partners facilitated the return of 99 418 citizens between 28 May and 10 July, 2026,” said Minister Soda.

“More than 70 percent of the returnees are women and children. Government noted that the number of Zimbabwean nationals requiring repatriation and reintegration assistance has continued to increase, and measures have been put in place to meet the growing demand.

“The nation is being further informed that other nationals from Malawi and Zambia arriving at Beitbridge are being assisted through their respective embassies, with appropriate arrangements being put in place for assistance to be rendered to any other nationals facing challenges as they transit to their countries of origin.”

He said Government was pleased to note that the Border Management Committee, incorporating the Department of Immigration, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the Vehicle Inspection Department and Zimbabwe Borders, has intensified measures to facilitate efficient immigration processes of all returnees, including through clearing of buses and trucks transporting returnees.

The repatriation programme has involved multiple Government ministries, the Zimbabwean Embassy and consulates in South Africa, international organisations and local humanitarian agencies.

In recent weeks, Government has deployed buses to ferry returnees from reception centres in South Africa and Beitbridge to their destinations across the country.

Private sector players and charitable organisations have also assisted with transport, food supplies and other relief materials.

Reception centres established at Beitbridge have been providing temporary shelter, meals, medical assistance and psychosocial support, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Health authorities have also strengthened disease surveillance and emergency healthcare services to ensure the safe reintegration of returnees.

Minister Soda said the Ministry of Health and Child Care and its partners continued to provide critical health services.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care, with its partners Medicines Sans Frontiers and the Higher Life Foundation, is providing essential health care, with over 191 000 patients having been attended to and 870 children screened for malnutrition, while 15 cases of diarrhoea have been identified and treated,” he said.

Minister Soda assured the nation that efforts to render assistance to returning nationals will continue in order to ensure their smooth reintegration.

“Meanwhile, the security services will continue to monitor illegal entries at undesignated points, especially in Beitbridge and Plumtree.”

Cabinet also noted the support extended by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who recently donated foodstuffs and other essential supplies to assist returning Zimbabweans.

“The timely efforts of Her Excellency, the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa are noted, in particular her generous donation to the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre, which she toured on 7th July, 2026.

“The donation included 30 tonnes of rice, 20 tonnes of mealie-meal, more than 5 000 track suits, 1 500 diapers and 1 500 units of sanitary wear material for women, which assisted greatly in the repatriation and reintegration initiatives underway.

“Government expresses appreciation for all citizens efforts to ensure seamless integration of returnees,” Minister Soda said.

At the start of the repatriation exercise, Government introduced a range of reintegration measures aimed at helping returnees rebuild their lives, including easing the importation of personal and household effects, facilitating access to social services and linking families to community support structures.

Officials say the interventions are guided by the Second Republic’s commitment to protecting citizens wherever they may be and ensuring that no Zimbabwean returning home is left without assistance.

As the situation in South Africa continues to evolve, authorities say contingency plans remain in place to accommodate additional returnees while maintaining efficient border management, humanitarian support and national security systems.

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Source: President appoints Nguwaya special advisor – herald

Fungi Kwaramba-National Editor

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has approved the appointment of Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya as his Special Advisor on Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability.

This move is expected to accelerate the country’s transition towards cleaner cities and a greener economy.

The appointment, which is with immediate effect, positions Dr Nguwaya to provide strategic guidance to the Presidency on critical environmental matters as the country grapples with mounting waste management challenges driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth.

In his recommendation letter, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya said Dr Nguwaya’s appointment is expected, among other responsibilities, to provide the Presidency with direct access to practical expertise and strategic guidance on waste management and environmental sustainability.

The establishment of Geo Pomona Waste Management Private Limited in April 2022 under a public-private partnership framework was a landmark intervention to provide sustainable waste management solutions at the Pomona Dumpsite and support the country’s environmental objectives.

Dr Nguwaya’s appointment is now building on that foundation.

“Waste management has become a critical national priority due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and increasing environmental challenges,” Dr Rushwaya noted in the concept note recommending the appointment.

“Inefficient waste disposal contributes to pollution, public health risks, environmental degradation and missed economic opportunities in recycling and resource recovery.”

Dr Nguwaya comes at a time when Harare has witnessed a marked improvement in waste management, largely due to the efforts of Geo Pomona Waste Management.

Dr Rushwaya described Dr Nguwaya as a distinguished environmental and business leader with extensive experience in waste management and sustainability.

“Under his stewardship, the company (Geo Pomona) has overseen the expansion of waste collection through door-to-door residential refuse collection, placement of skip bins across the Harare Central Business District, and recycling systems, alongside the introduction of waste segregation and resource recovery programmes,” he said.

Apart from that, Dr Nguwaya has been instrumental in overseeing the development of the upcoming 16-megawatt to 22-megawatt waste-to-energy plant, feeding into Zimbabwe’s national power grid and circular economy initiatives.

The project is poised to transform the country’s energy landscape while addressing mounting waste disposal challenges.

The appointment is also expected to leverage Dr Nguwaya’s experience in creating employment opportunities, particularly for youths and women.

Dr Nguwaya already employs more than 1 000 people at Pomona, a once hazardous dumpsite that has been repurposed and festooned with ultra-modern sporting facilities and restaurants.

Dr Rushwaya noted that Dr Nguwaya has been at the forefront of mobilisation of private-sector investment partnerships in environmental sustainability

“He has headed strategic regional delegations, including benchmarking tours and waste management expansion agreements with nations like Madagascar and Belarus,” he said.

The concept note outlines that these initiatives have collectively improved waste collection efficiency, reduced environmental pollution, enhanced public health, increased recycling rates, and stimulated green economic growth.

Dr Rushwaya said Dr Nguwaya’s appointment would support the development of a national waste management transformation agenda.

Further, it would promote circular economy policies and practices.

“It would also facilitate increased private-sector participation and investment and support the achievement of national environmental and climate commitments,” the Chief Secretary added.

As Special Advisor, Dr Nguwaya is expected to provide strategic policy advice on waste management and environmental sustainability, support the formulation and implementation of national waste management strategies, and advise on public-private partnerships within the waste management sector.

He is expected to also promote investment in recycling and green industries, monitor global best practices and recommend their adoption in Zimbabwe.

Through his position, Dr Nguwayo is expected to support national environmental awareness and behavioural change programmes.

The appointment is projected to contribute to cleaner cities, towns and communities, increased recycling and resource recovery, reduced environmental pollution and improved public health and sanitation, the concept noted said.

Other anticipated benefits include a growth in green jobs and entrepreneurship, enhanced climate resilience and environmental protection, and greater private sector participation in environmental management.

Added the Chief Secretary: “Dr Dilesh Nguwaya’s proven leadership, expertise, and achievements in waste management and environmental sustainability make him exceptionally qualified to serve as Special Advisor to His Excellency the President.

“His appointment would strengthen national efforts to transform environmental challenges into sustainable development opportunities and contribute significantly to building a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous Zimbabwe.”

The appointment comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to address environmental degradation while pursuing economic development through green industries and circular economy principles.

In an interview yesterday, Dr Nguwaya said he was ready for the new challenge, which he said came as a shock to him.

“I feel very honoured by the President; it’s the highest office which honoured me. I didn’t expect this to happen in my life,” he said.

“Not everyone wants to deal with waste; it’s just an industry of managing waste and also protecting the environment.

“The President has prioritised environmental and waste management because he wants his people to live in a clean environment. This is a befitting honour because I have demonstrated the ability to care for the environment.”

Dr Nguwaya said Harare is now going back to its sunshine status due to heightened cleaning of streets and collection of bins.

“We want to make sure we meet international standards in terms of waste management and my duty is now to focus on the whole nation, not on  Geo Pomona alone.

“Geo Pomona has revolutionised waste management, dispatching refuse trucks around the City of Harare and sweepers at night bring the shine to the capital city.

“The President is very happy with the work that has been done by Geo Pomona so far,” he said.

Dr Nguwaya said Geo Pomona, which has been given the task of replicating its model to other cities, is equal to the task.

“It is our duty as Zimbabweans to build our nation, the President always says, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’, and we are ready to play our part.

“I am going to put more effort into making sure the people of Zimbabwe live in a clean environment,” said Dr Nguwaya.

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HARARE – Indian beverage giant Varun Beverages has emerged as the leading contender to acquire a controlling stake in Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Dairibord Holdings Limited, in what could become one of the country’s most significant corporate transactions in recent years.

State media reported that market intelligence points to Varun as the most likely buyer after Dairibord issued a cautionary statement informing shareholders that three major institutional investors had entered negotiations to dispose of their combined shareholding. If concluded, the transaction would result in a change of control at Zimbabwe’s largest dairy and food processing company.

According to the cautionary announcement, the proposed sale involves three significant shareholders—Equivest Asset Management, Mega Market and Mutare Mart & Exchange—whose combined holdings exceed 51 percent of Dairibord’s issued ordinary shares. Such a transaction would hand the successful bidder majority control of one of Zimbabwe’s most recognised food manufacturing businesses.

The development has attracted considerable interest across Zimbabwe’s corporate sector, with analysts viewing the proposed acquisition as a potential catalyst for fresh capital investment, operational expansion and greater regional integration within the country’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.

Although the identity of the prospective purchaser was not disclosed in the official notice, state media quoted market sources identifying Varun Beverages as the leading candidate. According to sources cited by The Herald, the PepsiCo franchise bottler has also been quietly accumulating additional shares from minority shareholders through open-market purchases, strengthening speculation that it is positioning itself to secure a controlling interest.

Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that while Varun has expressed strong interest in acquiring control of Dairibord, no formal engagement has yet been announced between the company and Dairibord’s executive management. Other potential investors are also understood to be evaluating the opportunity, suggesting that the transaction could become competitive before a final agreement is reached.

The proposed acquisition comes against the backdrop of Dairibord’s concentrated ownership structure. Mega Market currently holds approximately 23.92 percent of the company’s shares, making it the single largest shareholder, while Stanbic Nominees owns 23.87 percent. Serrapin Investments holds 12.04 percent, followed by Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe Limited with 10.65 percent and the Mining Industry Pension Fund with 4.93 percent. Collectively, these five investors account for more than three-quarters of Dairibord’s issued share capital, highlighting the strategic significance of any large block transaction.

For Varun Beverages, acquiring Dairibord would represent a major strategic diversification beyond its traditional beverage operations. Since entering Zimbabwe in 2018 with a modern bottling facility in Harare, the company has rapidly expanded its market presence through competitive pricing, significant production capacity and an extensive nationwide distribution network.

Its Zimbabwean operations have transformed competition within the carbonated soft drinks market, challenging established players through aggressive market penetration and supply chain efficiency. More recently, Varun has broadened its ambitions by entering the food and snack segment after securing rights to manufacture and distribute selected PepsiCo snack brands, signalling a longer-term strategy of becoming a diversified FMCG player in the region.

Industry analysts believe that integrating Dairibord’s well-established dairy, beverage and food brands with Varun’s manufacturing expertise and distribution capabilities could create substantial operational synergies. The combination would strengthen economies of scale, enhance supply chain efficiencies and potentially unlock new opportunities for product innovation and regional exports.

The transaction also reflects growing foreign investor interest in Zimbabwe’s consumer goods sector, where companies with strong brands, established processing capacity and extensive distribution infrastructure continue to attract strategic investment despite broader macroeconomic challenges.

Should the acquisition proceed, it would mark one of the largest changes of corporate control on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in recent years and could reshape competition across Zimbabwe’s food and beverage industry, positioning Varun Beverages as one of the country’s most influential fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers.

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