Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

THERE is urgent need to integrate climate action into Zimbabwe’s national development agenda, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.

Sustainable growth, he warned, is impossible without environmental stewardship. In a speech delivered by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri on behalf of VP Mohadi at the official launch of the inaugural Environment and Climate Change Dialogue in Harare yesterday,  he said Zimbabwe was at a critical juncture where climate resilience must be embedded at the core of policy, planning and investment strategies.

The two-day event was running under the theme “Accelerating Environmental Stewardship for a Climate-Smart Zimbabwe by 2030”.

“This premier gathering is taking place at a time when Zimbabwe, like the rest of the world, is confronted with profound environmental challenges ranging from recurring droughts to biodiversity loss and the increasing threat of extreme weather events. These challenges necessitate not only national solutions but also regional and international cooperation,” he said.

The dialogue comes as the country transitions from National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which the Vice President said must build upon climate resilience achievements in agriculture, energy and infrastructure. He highlighted that both strategies underpin President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income economy grounded in inclusive and sustainable growth.

“Our theme, ‘Accelerating Environmental Stewardship for a Climate-Smart Zimbabwe by 2030’, aptly captures the essence of our national aspirations.

“It reflects the urgency of embedding climate action at the core of development and acknowledges that sustainable progress will be unattainable unless our policies, investments, and behaviours converge to safeguard the natural environment upon which our economy and livelihoods depend,” he said.

Vice President Mohadi commended the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF), the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for their collaborative efforts in organising the Dialogue, which is expected to become an annual event.

He said Zimbabwe’s legal and policy frameworks, including the Environmental Management Act, the National Climate Policy, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Low Emissions Development Strategy, already reflect the nation’s commitment to a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The Vice President emphasised the need for community-driven adaptation strategies, particularly in the wake of the devastating 2024 El Niño-induced drought, which left over 7 million Zimbabweans food insecure.

“The effects of climate change are not abstract.

“They manifest in the daily struggles of our farmers, the shrinkages of our water bodies, the erosion of our soils, and the vulnerability of our rural and urban communities. The El Niño-induced drought of 2024, which left over 7 million Zimbabweans food insecure, is a stark reminder of the urgency of community-driven adaptation.

“Building resilience must therefore be centred on empowering our communities through climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, afforestation, and climate-proofed infrastructure,” he said.

Turning to financing, Vice President Mohadi said Zimbabwe is actively pursuing innovative mechanisms to bridge the climate funding gap.

These include green bonds, carbon markets, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-aligned investments.

He called on private sector players to complement Government efforts through public-private partnerships and green innovation, saying NDS2 will integrate various funding models to ensure scalability and sustainability of climate-related investments.

“A climate-smart Zimbabwe cannot be accomplished solely by government-led actions, and it is in this regard that the Second Republic remains committed to providing a supportive policy environment which allows the private sector to thrive in building a climate-smart economy,” he said.

The Vice President said there is need to strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) and encourage private sector leadership in green innovations.

“Bankers, insurers, energy companies, and agribusiness all play an important role in funding and implementing climate projects.

“NDS2 will integrate the various funding models to ensure that climate-related investments are sustainable, scalable, and accountable,” he said.

Similarly, he said, academic and research institutions must provide cutting-edge knowledge, while civil society organisations mobilise communities and raise awareness.

“In keeping with Vision 2030, innovation will power Zimbabwe’s transition into a resilient and competitive economy. We must incentivise entrepreneurs and innovators to develop home-grown solutions that reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and create green jobs,” he said.

He reminded that environmental stewardship is not a choice but an obligation owed to future generations.

Vice President Mohadi issued a rallying call for unity and action across sectors, urging stakeholders to move beyond words and deliver tangible results that advance the country’s climate and development objectives.

“Environmental stewardship is not a choice but an obligation we owe to future generations.

“The success of this dialogue will not be measured by eloquent speeches but by actionable strategies, investments, and partnerships.

“Together, under the guidance of NDS2 and in pursuit of Vision 2030, we must accelerate the transition to a climate-smart Zimbabwe.”

Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Water, Climate and Rural Development, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, NECF National co-chairperson Mr Kumbirayi Katsande, NECF Steering Committee co-chairperson, Dr Martin Bimha and other Government officials attended the launch.

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Mbulelo Mpofu

THE rhythmic sounds of Insimbi ZeZhwane echoed through the pavements of Bulawayo’s central business district, a soundtrack seemingly frozen in time. Standing captivated before it all was Efya Kimora, the effervescent Ghanaian travel content creator. Known to her thousands of YouTube followers for her infectious enthusiasm and a keen eye for Africa’s hidden gems, she was utterly transfixed.

Her camera panned slowly across the city streets, capturing snippets of daily life on her way to the Bulawayo Railway Museum. There, majestic and weathered engines — giants of steel that once powered a nation — stood in stoic silence. This moment, steeped in industrial heritage, was just one thread in her recent odyssey through Zimbabwe, a journey that perfectly preceded the nation’s proud Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo.

Zimbabwe, a land whispered about in travel circles for its raw beauty and complex history, is actively reclaiming its narrative as a premier destination. Nowhere was this more evident than in the eastern city of Mutare, which for the very first time was hosting the prestigious 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo. Thousands of delegates, investors, and international buyers descended upon Manicaland, buzzing under the apt theme, “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development – Our Future.”

While global players networked in Mutare, the authentic pulse of Zimbabwean tourism was beating strongly elsewhere, captured through the lens of creators like Kimora. Venturing beyond the expo spotlight, Kimora immersed herself in the lived experience, embodying the essence of the country’s booming tourism. Her adventure began in Harare, a city balancing modern energy with deep-rooted history, before she embarked on the quintessential Zimbabwean overland experience: the journey south to Bulawayo.

This road trip, Kimora would later recount, offered its own form of initiation. Opting for the local experience, she navigated the famed “chicken buses.” This unfiltered glimpse into local transport, though challenging, underscored her commitment to experiencing Zimbabwe beyond the polished brochures. Arriving in Bulawayo, the “City of Kings,” she quickly found her rhythm. The wide, tree-lined avenues and slower pace offered a distinct contrast to Harare. Her exploration was a masterclass in the city’s layered identity. She stood in quiet reverence before the imposing statue of the late Vice-President Joshua qabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, a monument radiating the gravitas of “Father Zimbabwe.” The Tredgold Building, a stunning example of colonial architecture, drew her eye, prompting a dive into its historical significance as a courthouse.
But it was the National Railway Museum that truly ignited her fascination.

“The people here are friendly and loving, that’s why I even took photos with congregants at church on my way to the railway museum,” she said.

Wandering among the meticulously preserved steam engines and carriages, Kimora transformed from observer to engaged student, finding a tangible connection to the nation’s industrial past.

Seeking respite and natural beauty, Kimora found sanctuary at the Hillside Dams Conservancy. Here, she traded historical exploration for tranquil immersion. Whether spotting birdlife or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the conservancy provided a vital counterpoint to the urban explorations. Her journey through the country also offered a quintessential cultural experience: tasting isitshwala (sadza). “After the bus ride, this was pure comfort!” She remarked.

Her enjoyment of this staple dish, a simple yet profound element of daily life, resonated deeply with her audience.
Her journey painted a powerful, authentic snapshot of Zimbabwean tourism beyond the conference halls of Mutare. Her experiences — from the awe-inspiring monuments and world-class museums to the bumpy bus rides and the soul-nourishing comfort of local cuisine — showed a destination rich in texture, history, and genuine warmth. She presented her challenges not as deterrents, but as part of the authentic adventure that discerning travellers often seek alongside iconic sights.

From the thunderous Victoria Falls to the mystical ruins of Great Zimbabwe, and from the wildlife havens of Hwange to the misty mountains of the Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe is home to a staggering array of attractions. With the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi Expo charting a course for the nation’s sustainable tourism future, Kimora’s personal odyssey speaks to the product already on offer. Her journey highlighted the resilience, heritage, natural beauty, and profound hospitality that form the bedrock of the Zimbabwean experience. She didn’t just visit attractions; she connected with the spirit of the place. Her Zimbabwean chapter wasn’t just travel content; it was an invitation, echoing the official welcome from Mutare: Zimbabwe, in all its complex, captivating beauty, is ready to share its soul.

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Raymond Jaravaza, ray.jaravaza@chronicle.co.zw

WHEN the handle of a bucket of hot water broke, scalding Susan Chiguvare’s feet, her first thought wasn’t of the searing pain. It was of a much deeper fear: the fear of seeking help. A Zimbabwean living in Johannesburg, Chiguvare, knew that public hospitals in South Africa had become no-go zones for migrants.

For months, vigilante groups like Operation Dudula have been storming these facilities, publicly humiliating and forcefully removing foreigners, with their actions often filmed and shared online for the world to see.

“I was really scared of going to a Johannesburg hospital. The thought of being filmed by the Operation Dudula members and being dragged out of the hospital for the whole world to see online is not something I’m ready to go through,” Chiguvare told the Saturday Chronicle.

Even in excruciating pain, she was ready to make the journey back home to Zimbabwe to get medical help, an indication of the terror gripping her community. Fortunately, her brother had another option. He connected her with a group of Zimbabwean doctors and nurses working underground in South Africa. She got in touch with a registered nurse, “Sister Gugu,” and a few days later, the wounds on her feet began to heal.

“Now two months later, after the accident, I have completely healed and I have started working again,” Chiguvare said.

Amid the rising tide of xenophobic attacks on migrants seeking medical care, a group of Zimbabwean medical professionals has emerged to give hope to stranded patients. This collective, known as the Tele Health Programme, is a network of 41 Zimbabwean doctors and nurses who have become a lifeline for their countrymen.

Leading the charge is registered nurse Butholezwe Nyathi. He explained that the group, which can be reached via WhatsApp, has so far assisted more than 2  000 people across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

“When Operation Dudula started targeting what they called illegal foreigners from accessing medical services in South Africa, we took it upon ourselves as Zimbabwean medical professionals based in South Africa to assist our fellow countrymen and women.

“We took an oath to save lives when we joined the medical profession. So, we couldn’t just sit and watch while Zimbabweans in dire need of medical services suffered in silence,” said Nyathi.

The majority of those they help are in the Gauteng Province, where the largest population of Zimbabweans resides.

The group has assisted hundreds of people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and epilepsy.

The Tele Health Programme operates without a physical facility, instead offering virtual consultations and making house calls for medical emergencies.

“Medical services don’t come cheap, but we try to lessen the financial burden on our compatriots who are struggling money-wise to access life-saving medical services that they no longer get from South African public hospitals for fear of Operation Dudula,” Nyathi stated.

The group is even branching out. Bekithemba Ndlovu, another registered nurse specialising in HIV treatment, said they have so far assisted 18 women with childbirth.

“We also work with South African midwives who have been very helpful in our quest to give Zimbabweans quality medical services,” he said.

Ndlovu noted that patients with more serious conditions like asthma attacks, heart problems, and seizures are also a priority.

While the majority of their services are virtual, they also offer face-to-face assistance for serious medical emergencies. Ndlovu also had a message for the community.

“Some of the common conditions that our patients suffer from include asthma attacks, heart problems, respiratory distress and seizures. The biggest setback that we have noticed is that some people think we are running a scam, but we would like to reassure Zimbabweans based in South Africa that we are qualified medical professionals who took an oath to assist patients.”

Edward Muchengeti, a Bulawayo businessman and member of the programme, has seen its value first-hand. He said the group has seen a surge in patients who have non-emergency needs and that technology has helped in getting them the necessary information.

Muchengeti’s own relative, who was burnt by boiling water, received help from the programme.
“She is eternally grateful for the assistance that she got at a time when she could not turn to a public hospital in Johannesburg for fear of Operation Dudula members,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Tele Health Programme is hoping to partner with organisations such as Doctors Without Borders to expand its reach and continue its vital work in the shadows.

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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw

ZIMBABWE and South Africa are edging closer to operationalising the long-awaited one-stop border post (OSBP) project at Beitbridge, a key milestone set to boost regional integration and trade between the two neighbouring countries.

One-stop centres and OSBP are crucial components in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), helping to streamline cross-border trade by consolidating services at a single location.

This development emerged yesterday during a tour of the Beitbridge Border Post by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Dr Amon Murwira, and his South African counterpart, Minister of International Relations, Mr Ronald Lamola. The two ministers later held a closed-door bilateral meeting.

The discussions centred on strengthening co-operation in trade, investment and cross-border infrastructure. Both ministers highlighted that efficient border management is central to unlocking economic opportunities under the AfCFTA.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe and South Africa, which already enjoy strong historical and cultural ties, must now translate that relationship into tangible benefits for their citizens.

“We held fruitful deliberations during which we reaffirmed the excellent relations between Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa. Our main theme for today has been regional integration.

“To integrate, we need infrastructure and the Beitbridge Border Post is one such critical facility,” he said.
Prof Murwira reaffirmed that South Africa remains Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner and stressed the importance of removing barriers to trade to spur growth.

“We are reaffirming the excellent relations that exist between Zimbabwe and South Africa and we want these excellent relations to be reflected in the day-to-day lives of our people and mainly through economic activity and social well-being,” he said.

Minister Lamola congratulated Zimbabwe on the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post, describing it as a model project for the SADC region.

“Our engagement today was informed by a flagship SADC project — the one-stop border post. This will not only boost intra-SADC trade but also deepen political, cultural and social ties,” he said.

Minister Lamola confirmed South Africa’s commitment to fast-tracking its own border modernisation to align with Zimbabwe’s pace and ensure full interoperability.

The meeting also came as South Africa reaffirmed its support for Zimbabwe’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2027–2028.

The Beitbridge Border Post — the busiest land port in Southern Africa — has undergone a US$300 million modernisation project through the Zimborders Consortium under a public-private partnership. Zimborders Consortium built, operates and will eventually transfer the modernised facility back to the Government after 17 years, recouping its investment through border user fees.

The facility now boasts dedicated terminals for buses, trucks and pedestrians, state-of-the-art ICT systems, and streamlined traffic management.

Authorities report that 60 percent of commercial cargo is now cleared in less than three hours. With nearly 7 million travellers and thousands of vehicles using the border annually, the upgrade has dramatically improved efficiency and positioned Beitbridge as a regional trade hub.

An estimated seven million travellers use the border annually, while nearly 1,200 commercial trucks, 200 buses, and 2,100 light vehicles pass through the port daily.

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Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

THE process of amending or repealing statutory levies and fees in various sectors of the economy has started, as Government moves to ensure that the reduction of the charges is translated into binding legal instruments, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.

In a statement yesterday, Minister Ziyambi said until Parliament formally amended or repealed them, old statutory fees, levies and charges remained enforceable.

This week, the Government announced a raft of reductions and removals of some fees that were seen as too high, in an effort to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

Sectors that have already been identified include agriculture, transport, retail licencing and local authority services.

Said Minister Ziyambi: “All fees, levies and charges prescribed in existing laws in the form of primary and subsidiary legislation shall continue in force and effect until such a time when the statutory provisions providing for the same have been amended or repealed in accordance with set procedures.

“The ministry, together with the Office of the Attorney-General, is working with all relevant ministries to ensure that the policy position adopted by Government to reduce the various fees, levies and charges is translated into legally binding legal instruments.”

Parking fees, clamping and towing penalty charges, have been cut by 50 percent in all local authorities, while the cost of vehicle number plates has been reduced from US$500 to US$50.

Car number plates are now produced in Zimbabwe and the new fee remains profitable.

In the agriculture sector, sweeping changes have also been made, especially in the dairy sub-sector where farmers needed 25 permits across 12 agencies; feed manufacturers (23 from 10 departments), beef cattle farmers (18), abattoirs (20) and dairy processors (21 licences).

The requirements were not only time-consuming, but came with heavy financial and administrative burdens on businesses.

Government has since seen it fit to remove duplication, reduce costs and simplify compliance to promote efficiency, competitiveness and formalisation.

Some of the highlights include farm and processor registration fees, such as the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) farm registration fees, which were cut to a US$1 flat fee.

In the past, communal farmers paid US$1, small-scale irrigation farmers on US$2 while A1, A2 and large-scale farmers paid US$3, US$4 and US$5 respectively per year.

Minister Ziyambi said the reforms are part of broader efforts to strengthen the business environment and attract investment.

“We have a positive obligation, as enunciated in section 114 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, to ensure that statutes are drafted to eliminate any gaps in the law,” he said.

“It is in public interest that we must draft and enact laws that enhance the investment climate and facilitate the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.”

The Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, believes that once the high fees and levies have been moderated, more new investors will commit their funds into the economy while existing investors might consider expanding their businesses for the benefit of citizens through employment creation.

Zimbabwe has a target of attaining Vision 2030, a long-term development blueprint aimed at transforming the country into an upper-middle-income economy.

The proposed reductions in fees and levies are also intended to support the progressive realisation of socio-economic rights enshrined in the Constitution and international agreements Zimbabwe is party to.

Business leaders have welcomed the policy intent but emphasised the need for legal certainty.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu, said reducing levies and charges could help ease operational costs and improve competitiveness once the reforms are formally enacted.

Similarly, the Zimbabwe Taxpayers Platform called for clear timelines on when the changes would take effect to reduce uncertainty for investors and businesses.

The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs says it continues to work with the Attorney-General and line ministries to draft the legal instruments needed to give effect to the policy, signalling a measured approach to reducing costs without bypassing established procedures.

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