1.0 UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
COMMEMORATIONS AND CHILDREN’S PARTY LEGACY
PROJECTS ACROSS PROVINCES, AND THE PROPOSED VENUE
FOR THE 46TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AND
2026 CHILDREN’S PARTY
Cabinet noted and approved the Update on the Status of Independence
Day Commemorations and Children’s Party Legacy Projects Across
Provinces, as well as the Proposed Venue for the 46th Independence Day
and 2026 Children’s Party.
The Government of Zimbabwe has made significant strides in implementing
legacy projects initiated during Independence Day and Children’s Party
Celebrations across various provinces. Government remains committed to
replicating this initiative in the remaining provinces as they take turns
hosting the National Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations.
The projects include clinics, bridges, schools, roads and supporting
infrastructure under a strategy to ensure sustainable development in the
host province and thereby transform livelihoods in communities. In this
regard, a budget of US$2.5 million was approved to finalise outstanding
works in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces. Additionally,
US$32.5 million will be disbursed to support legacy projects in Midlands
Province, ensuring completion.
Regarding the 46th Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations,
Cabinet has approved Maphisa Open Space in Matobo District,
Matabeleland South Province to host the event. This strategic selection
leverages Maphisa’s profound historical significance and multifaceted
benefits. Notably, the event will catalyse infrastructure development,
including the rehabilitation of key roads such as the Gwanda-Maphisa and
Bulawayo-Maphisa roads. The Bulawayo-Maphisa Road will be extended to
Mpoengs on the border with Botswana in order to ensure regional
connectivity, fostering economic growth and promoting social cohesion.
2.0 PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE 2ND 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the Priority Projects for the 2nd 100-Day
Cycle of 2025.
A total of two hundred and thirteen (213) projects were submitted for
implementation under the 2nd 100-Day cycle, which commenced on 15
May, 2025 and ends on 23 August, 2025. The selected priority projects are
strategic and should meaningfully contribute to the expeditious
implementation of National Development Strategy 1: 2021-2025 in pursuit
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of Vision 2030 aspirations. These projects were selected based on the
100-Day cycle set criteria and are citizen-centric, of high impact and can be
implemented rapidly at low risk.
Of the 213 projects that were submitted, a total of 78 projects are ongoing
and the rest are new. The projects are distributed across the 25 Ministries
and provinces as follows:
Bulawayo, 37;
Harare, 65;
Mashonaland Central, 42;
Mashonaland East, 50;
Mashonaland West, 48;
Masvingo, 47;
Manicaland, 60;
Midlands, 54;
Matabeleland North, 58; and
Matabeleland South, 50.
Some projects are replicated in more than one province.
A total of 89 projects are derived from the Resolutions of the ZANU PF 21st
National People’s Conference, while 5 are from the Binga Development
Initiatives. Two (2) projects are emanating from Memoranda of
Understanding which Zimbabwe signed with the People’s Republic of China.
Monitoring of the projects will be continuous and will include site visits,
validation and the use of e-monitoring platforms such as the Executive
Electronic Dashboard (EED), which is now linked to the Whole-of
Government Performance Management System. A performance report will
be compiled at the end of the Cycle to highlight progress and share
success stories.
3.0 PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2025 HEROES DAY
COMMEMORATIONS AND DEFENCE FORCES DAY
CELEBRATIONS
Cabinet considered and approved the Update on Preparations for the 2025
Heroes Day Commemorations and Defence Forces Day Celebrations.
The Government of Zimbabwe is gearing up for the 2025 Heroes Day
Commemorations, which are scheduled for Monday, 11 August, 2025. The
main event will take place at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, with
provincial commemorations being held concurrently across the country.
Preparations have already commenced, including the compilation of an
updated list of National Heroes and Heroines, with 222 families expected to
attend the main event.
The Defence Forces Day Celebrations will be held at Rufaro Stadium in
Harare on 12 August, 2025 under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence
Forces: Guaranteeing a Conducive Environment for the
Attainment of Vision 2030”. The day will feature a range of activities,
including a community assistance week, a military parade, military displays,
and entertainment by selected groups. A soccer match between the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select Team and a regional Select Team is also
planned for the celebrations.
4.0 PROPOSED HONOURS AND AWARDS FOR 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the Proposed Honours and Awards for
2025.
The Government of Zimbabwe has shortlisted three exceptional individuals
for conferment with honours and awards at this year’s ceremony, which
will coincide with the National Heroes Day commemorations. The recipients
include Dr. Vladimir Shubin, former head of the Africa Section of the Soviet
Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee, who will receive the Royal Order of
Munhumutapa; Chidhudhu Innocent, a teenager who bravely rescued two
children from a burning house in Bindura, who will be awarded the Silver
Cross of Zimbabwe; and Dr. Madeline Nyamwanza, the first female African
Medical Doctor in Zimbabwe, who will receive the Robert Gabriel Mugabe
Commendation Award for Service in Human Capital Development.
In line with Government’s commitment to recognising the contributions of
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, 2 000 eligible Veterans will be
conferred with Independence Medals through the respective Ministers of
State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. This initiative aims to honour
their outstanding service and sacrifices during the Liberation Struggle.
Additionally, eligible civil servants who have rendered distinguished service
will be gazetted and issued with medals in phases, ensuring that their
contributions are also duly recognised.
5.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PATHWAYS TO REINTEGRATION
FOUNDATION
Cabinet considered and approved the Establishment of the Pathways to
Reintegration Foundation
Government is facilitating the establishment of the Pathways to
Reintegration Foundation, a Private Voluntary Organisation to superintend
the reintegration process. The Foundation will augment the efforts by the
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service through innovative and
comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives. The Foundation
will partner with the private sector, local and international organisations in
the development of programmes that meet the needs of inmates and ex
inmates being supported by prison officers and the community.
The establishment of the Foundation is being inspired by similar successful
initiatives in other jurisdictions such as Nigeria, Singapore, the United
States of America and Fiji. The Pathways to Reintegration Foundation is
premised on Unhu/Ubuntu, a principle that encourages collaborative
efforts to dismantle stigma, facilitate successful reintegration and ultimately
build a more inclusive and harmonious society for all. The philosophy
emphasises compassion, mutual respect and community support,
advocating for a holistic approach to justice that seeks not only to reform
individuals but also to heal societal wounds.
The Foundation will have four cluster-based programmes intended for
inmates, ex-inmates, communities and correctional officers. The
programmes will cover the following content: Primary, Secondary and
Tertiary Education; Community Engagement and Education; Wellness,
Mental Health and Psycho-social Support; Job Placement and
Entrepreneurship Support; Digital Education and E-learning; and the Parole
System. The programmes will be aligned to global best practices to
promote rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates and ex-inmates.
6.0 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
Under the Legislative Programme, Cabinet considered and approved the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Crimes Bill, 2025. The main objective of the
Biological and Toxin Weapons Crimes Bill is to prohibit the development,
production, manufacture, possession, stockpiling, importation, exportation,
transportation transit, trans-shipment, transfer or use of certain biological
agents and toxins and of biological weapons. The Bill will provide for the
implementation in Zimbabwe of the United Nations Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of
Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction of
10 April, 1972 and the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of
Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of
Warfare of 17 June, 1925 under the auspices of the League of Nations.
Under provisions of the Bill, it will be an offence for any person to
encourage, assist, counsel, procure, incite, facilitate or finance the use in
any way of biological agents, toxins or weapons. The Bill further provides
for the licensing of biological agents or toxins for prophylactic, protective or
other peaceful purposes. Any failure to comply with the conditions of the
issued licence will constitute an offence.
7.0 REPORT ON HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT’S
ATTENDANCE AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the attendance at the 50th
Independence Day Celebrations in Maputo, Mozambique by His Excellency
the President.
His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
attended Mozambique’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations in
Maputo, Mozambique on 25 June, 2025. The Celebrations were held under
the theme “50 Years of Independence: Consolidating National
Unity, Peace and Sustainable Development”. The major highlights of
the celebrations were the laying of wreaths at the Monument of
Mozambican Heroes, the lighting of the eternal flame, and the solidarity
message by the Guest of Honour and President of the Republic of
Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan. The President of the
Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Daniel Chapo presided over the
celebrations which were also attended by delegations from the Saharawi
Arab Democratic Republic, South Africa, Guinea Bissau, and Portugal,
among others. His Excellency Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa’s presence at the
celebrations affirmed and solidified the excellent relations between the two
sister Republics.
8.0 REPORT ON THE 113TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
LABOUR CONFERENCE.
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the 113th Session of the
International Labour Organisation.
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable
Edgar Moyo led a Zimbabwe tripartite delegation to the 113th International
Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland from 2 June to 13 June,
2025 during which he ascended to the presidency of the Conference.
Zimbabwe was the Vice President to the Conference at the 112th Session in
2024.
The Minister, as the President, presided over the Opening and Closing
Sessions, the plenary sessions on the Director-General’s Report, the
Chairperson of the Governing Body and the High-Level Forum on the
Global Coalition for Social Justice. The Zimbabwe Tripartite delegation also
held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 113th Session of the
Conference with the following: Director of International Labour Standards,
Ms. Corinne Vargha; Director of Employment, Mr. Sangheon Lee; Director
of ILO Training Centre, Mr. Christopher Perrin; Director of Governance and
Tripartism, Ms. Vera Paquete-Perdigao; Minister of Labour, Qatar; and the
Minister of Labour, Uganda. Zimbabwe also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Malawi in the fields of Labour and Employment thereby
enhancing cooperation.
9.0 REPORT ON THE 8TH SESSION OF THE GLOBAL PLATFORM
FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Cabinet received and noted the report on the 8th Session of the Global
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel
Garwe led a Zimbabwe delegation to the 8th Session of the Global Platform
for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Geneva, Switzerland from 2 June to 6
June, 2025 under the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience
Today”. The Global Platform, where participants took stock of progress,
shared new knowledge and latest developments, discussed new trends in
reducing disaster risk, and exchanged best practices was attended by over
3 000 in-person participants from 164 countries, with nearly 600
participants joining online.
The Minister participated in 3 High-Level Ministerial Roundtable discussions
on Rebuilding Resilient Communities, Housing Reconstruction and Critical
Infrastructure Readiness; Roundtable on Progress of the G20 Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR) Working Group under the Presidency of South Africa; and
Safe Schools Now, Protecting Every Child from Disaster and Climate Risk.
The Minister highlighted Zimbabwe’s National Human Settlements Policy
which came up with affordable and resilient building mechanisms to
different communities in the country. The Minister also underscored the
importance of regional integration in dealing with trans-boundary hazards,
and on the right of each child to thrive in safe, inclusive environments. He
shared Zimbabwe’s 10-point plan which guides Disaster Risk Reduction in
learning institutions.
