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Source: Great Zimbabwe project complete, awaits commissioning – herald

Nyore Madzianike 

Senior Reporter

The €4 million Great Zimbabwe Development Project has been completed and technically handed over to Government, paving the way for its commissioning by President Mnangagwa.

The state-of-the-art project, designed to transform the visitor experience and strengthen the conservation and promotion of the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, was funded by the French government through the French Development Agency (AFD).

President Mnangagwa officially launched the project in June 2022, with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) responsible for implementing the physical infrastructure, while UNESCO provided support for the interpretive and digital components.

UNOPS acting country director Mr Clement Mhlanga confirmed that the completed facility had been technically handed over to Government through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ).

“The project has been technically handed over to the Government through the Department of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. It is now already in use. We are now waiting for dates for the commissioning of the project, but all is done.

“The Department of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe will then inform us when the project will be commissioned,” he said in a recent interview.

The project includes a new visitor and information facility, an upgraded interpretive system, and other infrastructure aimed at improving how tourists experience and understand the ancient monument.

A digital system has also been installed to guide tourists and other visitors around the monument, while a sign language interpreter and a revised guide to the site have been developed to improve accessibility and ensure consistency in the presentation of Great Zimbabwe’s history.

“With the new developments and the technology installed at the project, it will help market the monument as a tourism destination. Obviously, with that positive publicity, Great Zimbabwe is poised to receive an increased flow of tourists,” Mr Mhlanga said.

The initiative forms part of a broader programme to rehabilitate and develop the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, enhance its cultural and educational offerings, diversify tourism products, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s capacity to preserve and manage its heritage.

According to project documents, the initiative also aims to create stronger links between the heritage site and the local economy, including opportunities for tourism-related businesses and activities.

Mr Mhlanga said a land-use plan had already been submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for approval to guide future developments around the site. Once approved, the plan will allow for the development of additional tourism-related businesses and facilities in the surrounding area.

The Shona Village at Great Zimbabwe has also been refurbished under the project, further enhancing the cultural and educational experience for visitors.

“We are grateful to our development partners for funding the project,” Mr Mhlanga said.

Great Zimbabwe, located in Masvingo Province, is one of Africa’s most significant archaeological and cultural heritage sites and is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The stone-built city was the centre of a powerful state that flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries and is renowned for its massive dry-stone walls, including the Great Enclosure.

The site remains an important symbol of Zimbabwe’s history and cultural heritage and is a major tourism attraction.

The Great Zimbabwe Development Project was conceived to address the need for improved conservation, visitor facilities, interpretation, and tourism development at the site. AFD says the project is intended to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism while strengthening national capacity to manage the heritage site and stimulate related economic activity.

UNOPS has previously said the project included the rehabilitation and upgrading of infrastructure, a new interpretive system and visitor facilities, as well as the provision of conservation equipment and digital tools to support the preservation of the site.

The project was implemented in partnership with NMMZ and other Government and tourism agencies, with UNESCO and other international partners providing technical support.

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Source: President in SA for 46th SADC Summit – herald

Kudakwashe Mugari in DURBAN, South Africa

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday to attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government which is being held today at the International Convention Centre.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officially assume the SADC Chairmanship during the summit, having held the position on an interim basis following recent political disturbances in Madagascar.

The gathering also coincides with the anniversary of the transformation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) into SADC (Southern Africa Development Community), which took place on 17 August 1992 in Windhoek, Namibia.

This year’s summit is being held under the theme: “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.”

The President confirmed his arrival through a post on his X handle.

“I have safely arrived in Durban, South Africa, to participate in the 46th Ordinary Summit of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government.

“Zimbabwe remains deeply committed to driving regional integration. We look forward to fruitful deliberations that unlock the full potential of our shared infrastructure, agriculture, and vast mineral wealth.

“Together, we are building a stronger, self-sustaining SADC ecosystem that leaves no one and no place behind.”

As the supreme policymaking body of the regional community, the Summit provides strategic direction and sets priorities for cooperation and development across Southern Africa.

President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya; Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications), Mr George Charamba and Attorney General, Ms Virginia Mabiza.

Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi is the Acting President.

Last night, the President attended a gala dinner hosted by his South African counterpart, President Ramaphosa, alongside other regional leaders.

Ahead of the main summit, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, outlined Harare’s renewed push for SADC countries to achieve regional food self-sufficiency. He argued that member states should focus on commodities where they hold a comparative advantage, building regional value chains rather than operating in isolation.

“For example, there are countries like Malawi, Tanzania and Madagascar who are very good at rice. We could have a rice programme,” said Prof Murwira.

“There are countries like Zimbabwe who are very good at winter wheat. We could be focusing on this for food self-sufficiency.” He stressed that this approach would allow SADC nations to complement one another, reducing the pressure on each country to produce everything independently.

Prof Murwira also called for the aggressive dismantling of both tariff and non-tariff trade barriers among member states, as well as the development of common agricultural programmes, transboundary special economic zones, and regional industrial projects — all in line with the bloc’s Vision 2050.

“We want to bring down trade barriers, both tariff and non-tariff trade barriers amongst ourselves,” he said. “We want to move away even from one-stop border posts to non-stop border posts. That’s integration.”

Prof Murwira made it clear that the era of policy formulation must now give way to tangible action, adding that agriculture is central to industrialisation because food production can supply raw materials for processing industries while reducing the region’s reliance on costly imports.

“It’s now time for implementation. Enough talk of policies. The policies are there,” he said.

The food self-sufficiency drive forms part of four broader pillars that Zimbabwe is championing within SADC: peace and security, industrialisation, infrastructure development, and social and human capital development.

Prof Murwira said the success of the regional bloc should ultimately be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens.

“Joint industrialisation is part of the integration agenda of SADC that we want—a common future where industrialisation is there to provide the basic human needs that we need,” he said.

“SADC must now to go to the people. It has to be felt on the ground.”

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Source: Jin An’s US$6m solar plant nears completion – herald

Patrick Chitumba

CONSTRUCTION of the 20-megawatt solar power plant at Almid Private Limited in Gweru has reached 60 percent completion, with the project expected to support electricity supplies for the ferrochrome industry and ease pressure on the national grid.

The solar plant is part of a broader US$140 million energy investment by Jin An Group, which also includes plans for a 100MW captive power plant expected to be operational by the end of 2027.

The investments are expected to provide more reliable electricity for Jin An’s five furnaces, enabling the company to increase ferrochrome production, create jobs and support Government’s drive towards Vision 2030.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda recently toured the project together with the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nick Mangwana, and Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Edgar Seenza, among other Government officials.

Dr Soda said the investment demonstrated the Second Republic’s commitment to industrialisation.

“We were shown the smelting process taking place, and they indicated that they will be moving to their own power supply through a 20-megawatt solar plant. The Government is currently providing power to ferrochrome producers at a subsidised rate,” he said.

Jin An finance manager Mr Munyaradzi Matanyaire said construction of the solar facility was progressing well, with major equipment already being transported to the site.

“We are at about 60 percent completion of the solar programme. Major equipment for the solar plant was already en route and would soon be installed, along with transmission infrastructure to connect directly to the company’s furnaces,” he said.

Mr Matanyaire said the investment was critical to meeting the company’s high electricity requirements.

Jin An operates five furnaces that require about 50 megawatts to run at full capacity.

The 20MW solar plant will supplement electricity supplied through the national grid, providing a more stable power source for the company’s operations.

The push for alternative energy sources comes amid growing demand for reliable and affordable electricity from Zimbabwe’s mining and manufacturing sectors.

Meanwhile, the Government delegation also assessed progress on other development projects in the Midlands.

In Zvishavane, the team visited Midlands Park Flats, a housing development aimed at increasing access to decent accommodation and helping reduce the national housing backlog.

Midlands Park Flats housing manager Mr Michael Kanengoni said the project was providing residents with affordable accommodation without compromising on quality.

“We have housing that is both low cost and of high quality. It is serving people in terms of quality and proper standards,” he said.

The delegation also visited Nkatazo Rural Clinic, which has since been upgraded to hospital status.

District medical officer, Dr Tapiwa Mavurayi, said the upgraded facility had improved access to healthcare for surrounding communities by reducing the distance residents travelled to seek treatment.

“Currently, we have been operating to serve a community that used to travel over five kilometres. We are now serving about 20 patients per day,” he said.

The projects align with the Government’s broader development agenda under National Development Strategy 2, which seeks to accelerate economic transformation and improve the quality of life of citizens as Zimbabwe works towards becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.

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Source: Govt intensifies Kariba ferry disaster probe – herald

Freeman Razemba and Walter Nyamukondiwa

THE death toll from the Lake Kariba ferry disaster has risen to 84, with Government intensifying an investigation into how the passenger vessel capsized under inclement weather.

Preliminary investigations are pointing to a deadly mix of navigational error, possible overloading and a failure to heed adverse weather warnings.

A technical report is set to be tabled before Cabinet tomorrow.

President Mnangagwa has since declared the incident a National Disaster, mobilising national resources for the response effort.

Rescue teams, including the Zimbabwe National Army Boat Squadron and the ZRP Sub-aqua Unit, continue to search for more victims in the lake.

Yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona, accompanied by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo and other senior officials, visited the scene of the accident near Long Island.

The Ministers also held an urgent meeting with Lake Kariba boat and ferry operators to assess the immediate response and chart mitigatory measures going forward.

Minister Mhona confirmed that the Government is legally mandated to investigate such incidents under the Inland Waters Shipping Act (Chapter 13:06).

“We are saddened as a nation, we are mourning our beloved ones who perished on this lake. I am happy that today (yesterday) I managed to witness first-hand and engage our operators to find out what really transpired and what mitigatory measures we should be taking going forward,” said Minister Mhona.

He added: “Through the Ministry of Transport, we superintend over inland waters. The Inland Waters Shipping Act directs us on issues of safety and registration. I want to thank His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, our visionary leader, who saw it fit to declare this a national disaster, bringing it under the purview of the Civil Protection Unit.”

Investigators have so far ruled out structural failure as a primary cause.

Inland Waters Control director, Mr Lameck Chitenga, confirmed that an initial assessment of the vessel showed its hull remained intact at the time of the incident.

However, evidence gathered points to operational and environmental lapses.

The vessel-owned by the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (RIDA) and formerly under the Department of District Development Fund — was caught in strong winds locally known as the “Binga Wave” during its voyage from Kariba town to Chalala Fishing Camp.

Video footage taken shortly after departure shows the boat already labouring in choppy waters as passengers watched helplessly while water rose around them.

While the localised weather bulletin for the lake had largely predicted calm conditions with light breezes, it also explicitly cautioned mariners to watch for localised choppy conditions in the afternoon.

The bulletin flagged a strengthening South Indian Ocean anticyclone, which was expected to bring light-to-moderate north-easterly to south-easterly winds, occasionally reaching Force 3 over exposed sections of the lake — precisely the conditions that contributed to the tragedy.

The grim discovery of more bodies yesterday pushed the death toll from 72 to 84.

Provincial Affairs Minister Marian Chombo confirmed the development during an afternoon briefing.

“We have had a devastating tragedy in Kariba where several people have lost their lives. We have just received information on the recovery of eight more bodies, meaning we now have 80 deaths in the disaster,” said Minister Chombo.

She applauded the collaborative efforts of Government departments, the Zimbabwe National Army, the sub-aqua unit, freelance divers, local business operators, and the Kariba community for their tireless support in managing the tragedy and recovering the victims.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also issued a formal update: “ZRP update as at 1400 hours today (yesterday). The Kariba RIDA boat accident death toll is now 80 following the recovery of eight more bodies on 16th August 2026.”

So far, 67 survivors have been rescued from the capsized ferry.

Local boat operators, including Mr Cephas Shonhiwa and Mr Nesbit Mapfumo, who participated in yesterday’s engagement, have pledged to assist the Government in mobilising resources to ensure search and recovery operations continue uninterrupted.

In a related development, President Mnangagwa has directed Minister Mhona to mobilise resources for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Karoi-Binga Road.

The project aims to improve land-based access to Chalala, Mola, Siakobvu, and surrounding areas, which currently rely heavily on the lake for transport — a vulnerability highlighted by this week’s tragedy.

Minister Mhona reiterated that once the technical report is submitted to Cabinet tomorrow, Government will be guided by the President on the next steps, including potential regulatory reforms to prevent future disasters on Zimbabwe’s inland waters.

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Zimbabwe’s consumer protection authorities have warned the public about counterfeit Nivea lotion and Huletts sugar after recent seizures exposed how easily familiar household brands can enter informal markets and reach buyers. The warning has placed two ordinary shopping items at the centre of a wider concern about counterfeit goods. Cosmetics, sugar, food, medicines, household products […]

The post Fake Nivea Lotion and Hullets Sugar: Dangerous counterfeit goods and expired products flood Zimbabwe first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.