1.0. UPDATE ON 2024-2025 SUMMER CROPS MARKETING AND
2025 WINTER WHEAT PRODUCTION
Cabinet noted the Update on 2024-2025 Summer Crops Marketing and
2025 Winter Wheat Production.
According to the Second Round Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment
(CLAFA 2) report of 12 April, 2025, the country has adequate grain
reserves at national level. In the interim, resources will be made available
to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to facilitate timely payments for
anticipated grain deliveries. The construction of 14 grain silo depots is
making steady progress at 13 centres across the country, with the Kwekwe
depot having been completed and officially commissioned by His Excellency
the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.
The 2025 cotton buying season is set to begin on June 1, with prices per
grade to be announced upon completion of ongoing consultations. To
support the season’s operations, preparations, including the establishment
of 211 permanent buying points and 476 mobile buying points, have been
completed.
As of 16 May 2025, a total of 189 million kilogrammes of tobacco had been
sold at an average price of US$3.38 per kilogramme. This represents a
21% increase in volume compared to the same period last season, when
151 million kilogrammes were sold at an average price of US$3.52 per
kilogramme.
Under the 2025 Winter Cereals Plan, the production targets are set at 600
000 metric tonnes of wheat from 120 000 hectares, 39 000 metric tonnes
of barley from 6 500 hectares, and approximately 236 000 metric tonnes of
potatoes from around 8 700 hectares. With respect to wheat production, a
total of 29 372 hectares have been planted, distributed as follows:
Mashonaland West, 9 751; Mashonaland Central, 5 524; Mashonaland East,
4 095; Manicaland, 1 952; Midlands, 3 081; Masvingo, 1 031; Matabeleland
North, 1 525; and Matabeleland South, 2 413.
2.0. REVIEW REPORT OF THE 45TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATIONS AND THE 2025 CHILDREN’S PARTY
Cabinet noted the Review Report of the 45th Independence Day
Celebrations and 2025 Children’s Party.
The 45th Independence Day Celebrations and 2025 Children’s Party were
held in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province, with the main celebrations
at Nembudziya Growth Point and the Children’s Party at Nyamuroro High
School.
Government undertook significant preparatory works for the major event,
including the construction of a new 2,000-seater stadium at Nembudziya
Open Grounds. In addition to the stadium, various legacy projects were
implemented to improve the lives of people in Midlands Province, and
Gokwe North District in particular. The projects included the construction
and rehabilitation of education infrastructure, such as classrooms, hostels,
and laboratories as well as upgrades to cultural heritage sites, liberation
struggle memorials, and public facilities. Government also made significant
investments in health infrastructure, as follows: refurbishment of the
School of Nursing; upgrading of the VVIP ward; and construction of a
mortuary. A total of 20 sites offering telemedicine facilities were
established and internet connected at the respective rural health centres
and Gokwe North District Hospital. Furthermore, water and sanitation
projects, including the drilling of boreholes and the repair of existing ones
were implemented.
The projects also focused on improving infrastructure, including roads,
aviation infrastructure, and rural electrification. Construction of priority
roads included among others: the Kadoma-Nembudziya road; the
Nembudziya-Gokwe town; the Gokwe-Hovano-Tshoda road; the Sanyati
Nembudziya road; the Kwekwe-Gokwe road and many other feeder roads.
A total of 57 Village Business Units were established and 37 boreholes were
repaired, with 12 of them solarised. These initiatives aimed to improve the
quality of life for residents in Gokwe North District, aligning with the
Government’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind”.
As an ongoing initiative, Government will undertake continuous reviews to
monitor progress on the completion of all legacy projects in provinces that
have already hosted the Independence Day Celebrations and Children’s
Party events, ensuring timely implementation, efficient project delivery,
and accountability.
3.0. CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF A VENUE FOR HOSTING
THE ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY AND CHILDREN’S PARTY
CELEBRATIONS
Cabinet considered and approved the Criteria for the Selection of a Venue
for Hosting the Annual Independence Day and Children’s Party
Celebrations.
In the past, the Independence Day Celebrations and Children’s Party
events were consolidated in Harare. Notwithstanding this precedent, the
2nd Republic’s Devolution Agenda catalysed a transformative shift,
decentralising these events and instituting a rotational format across the
ten provinces, commencing in 2021.
The rotation of provinces hosting Independence Day and Children’s Party
Celebrations has seen five provinces take turns hosting the events in the
following order: Harare, 2021; Bulawayo, 2022; Mashonaland Central,
2023; Manicaland, 2024; and Midlands, 2025.
Cabinet approved criteria to determine future hosts for Independence Day
Celebrations and Children’s Party events, based on the national
Infrastructure Deficit Index. This prioritises provinces with the greatest
infrastructure development needs among those that have not yet hosted
the Uhuru celebrations. The goal is to use these events to drive
infrastructure growth in targeted areas. In accordance with the approved
criteria, the Independence Day Celebrations and Children’s Party are
scheduled to be held in Matabeleland South Province in 2026 and in
Masvingo Province in 2027.
4.0. THE URBAN STATELAND MANAGEMENT POLICY
Cabinet considered and approved the Urban Stateland Management Policy.
The Urban Stateland Management Policy is a significant step towards
addressing Zimbabwe’s urban land management challenges. It aims to
engender better value for land resources, enhance accountability, improve
efficiency, and usher in a professionalised land management system
aligned with Vision 2030. The policy addresses rapid urbanisation issues,
such as dysfunctional settlements, speculative activities, and land
baronism, while protecting citizens from fraudulent land deals. It clarifies
stakeholder roles, provides operational guidelines, and promotes efficient
and effective urban state land management.
The Policy is built on six interconnected pillars namely: Governance and
Decentralisation, Innovation and Technology, Procedures and Processes,
Regulatory Framework and Enforcement, Infrastructure Development, and
Planning and Compliance. These pillars promote transparency,
accountability, efficiency, and compliance, and aim to foster orderly urban
development, protect public interests, and enhance the quality of life for
urban residents. The Policy also promotes innovative financing
mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and community engagement to
support urban development, ultimately creating sustainable, safe, and
environmentally friendly urban environments.
The Policy has specific objectives and strategies, including leveraging
digital tools for efficient land management, establishing clear procedures
for land administration, strengthening regulatory frameworks, developing
essential urban services, and ensuring compliance with regulatory
standards.
5.0. REPORTS ON PROJECTS AS AT DAY 50 OF THE 1ST 100-DAY
CYCLE OF 2025
5.1. In terms of the Infrastructure Development Thematic Area of the
National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of State for National
Security highlighted the following achievements by the Rural
Infrastructure Development Agency:
Realignment of the 4-kilometre Nzoubvunda Bridge Road in
Mashonaland Central Province is ongoing;
Top slab construction of Approach A and B of Kambanje Bridge in
Mudzi District of Mashonaland East Province is in progress;
Wall construction and backfilling of the Mabori Armco Structure in
Mberengwa District, Midlands Province is almost complete;
Land for the Phoenix Drag-hose Irrigation Scheme in Mberengwa
District, Midlands Province has been identified and drawings have
been completed; and Selection of beneficiaries for the Presidential Solarisation Programme
is ongoing in all the 8 rural provinces, following.
5.2 Under the Economic Growth and Stability pillar of the National
Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation
Struggle Affairs highlighted the following achievements under her
purview:
Prospecting and pegging of 8 Special Grant areas under the
establishment of mining ventures has been completed at the
following provincial sites:
a. Nyanga in Manicaland, 258 hectares (Gold);
b. Mupfure in Mashonaland West, 147 hectares (Gold);
c. Mashonaland West, 147 ha (Gold);
d. Kadoma, Mashonaland West, 85 ha (Gold);
e. Mhangura, Mashonaland West, 600 ha (Gold and Copper);
f. Wedza, Mashonaland East, 445 ha (Gold);
g. Matabeleland North, 101 ha (Gold); and
h. Manicaland, 1 196 ha (Copper)
Five Veterans syndicates comprising 372 members have been
facilitated in acquiring mining documents;
Establishment of the Sinanga Photographic Safari in Hwange,
Matabeleland North is ongoing;
Operationalisation of Nyadora Farm and Singleton Farm Projects in
Macheke and Chikomba, Mashonaland East Province is on target; and
Under the Human Capital Development and Innovation pillar of the
National Development Strategy 1, six hundred War Veterans have
since been capacitated with skills to make soap, detergents, engine
cleaner, degreaser, foam bath and vaseline.
5.3 In terms of the Human Capital Development and Innovation pillar of
the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Skills Audit and
Innovation highlighted the following achievements under his purview:
A draft National Scholarship Policy has been produced;
Assessment of the Career Guidance landscape in Zimbabwe is
ongoing;
Assessment of Technical and Vocational Skills Training facilities for
Persons with Disabilities was conducted in Kadoma, Gweru,
Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo and Harare, and the final draft report
was produced; and Cyber security and digital skills training was conducted at the
University of Zimbabwe; Harare Institute of Technology; Speciss
College; and St. Peters Kubatana Vocational Training Centre.
6.0. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA ON PAIRED HOSPITAL COOPERATION MECHANISM
Under the Legislative Programme, Cabinet considered and approved the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and
the People’s Republic of China on Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism.
The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to promote cooperation in the
fields of health. More specifically, the MoU will establish a cooperative
relationship between the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and the Hunan
Provincial People’s Hospital of the People’s Republic of China in the field of
respiratory and critical care medicine. The objective is to strengthen
construction of respiratory and critical care medicine facilities in Zimbabwe
and improve local capacity on prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment
of COVID-19 as well as airway management and respiratory support for
critical patients.
7.0 REPORT ON HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO
RUSSIA AND BELARUS
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the visit to Russia and Belarus
by His Excellency the President.
His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
participated at the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day which was
commemorated in Moscow, Russian Federation on 9 May, 2025. The
Victory Day marks the historic triumph of the Soviet Union over Nazi
Germany during the Second World War. The President of the Russian
Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Putin presided over the
commemorations which were also attended by Heads of State and
Government from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Presidents, His Excellency Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa and His Excellency V. Putin
held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed initiatives to deepen
relations between the two nations. Russia reiterated its support for
Zimbabwe’s bid to join the BRICS organisation and its New Development
Bank. The Heads of State agreed to identify alternative payment systems
in order to boost bilateral trade. On his part, Cde. Mnangagwa re-stated
Zimbabwe’s strategic location as a logistics and manufacturing hub for
Russian products for industrialisation purposes. President Mnangagwa also
met with Embassy officials and students.
From Russia, His Excellency the President undertook a State visit to Belarus
from 11 to 15 May 2025, at the invitation of the President of Belarus, His
Excellency Aleksander Lukashenko. In a bilateral meeting, the two leaders
discussed cooperation in several key areas, including Agriculture, Industry,
Education and Technology Transfer, Health, and Disaster Management.
The Foreign Ministers of Zimbabwe and Belarus signed a roadmap for
strategic cooperation for the period 2026 to 2030, providing for reciprocal
visits and elevation of their bilateral cooperation framework to a Bi-National
by 2030. The Memoranda of Understanding signed between the two
countries covered the following areas: Disaster Risk Management; Visa
Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports; Tourism; Small
and Medium Enterprises; and Waste Management. Letters of intent
committing to cooperation on revamping healthcare provision starting with
the rehabilitation of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals were also signed.
A Business Roundtable comprising Zimbabwean and Belarusian business
leaders met to explore cooperation in the mining, dairy, machinery and
processed foods sectors.
8.0 REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
BY VICE PRESIDENT HON CHIWENGA
Cabinet received and approved the Iran Report, as presented by the
Honourable Vice President, General (Rtd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.
Honourable Vice President Chiwenga led a delegation to the 3rd Iran-Africa
Economic Conference and the 7th Iran-Expo held in Tehran from 27 April to
1 May, 2025. The conference was aimed at enhancing economic relations
between Iran and Africa, focusing on agriculture, mining, science and
health sectors which promote socio-economic development. The salient
outcomes of the visit include the operationalisation of a Steering
Committee to oversee implementation of the following Memoranda of
Understanding: Establishment of a Pharmaceutical Plant in Zimbabwe by a
Pharmaceutical investment company and NatPharm; Setting up of an Iran
Tractor Manufacturing Company Plant in Zimbabwe; Development of a
Sustainable Payment System between the Central Banks of the two
countries; Finalisation of a Hemodialysis Equipment Lease Agreement, and
preparations Zimbabwe to participate at the Global Investment tourism
Expo in Gujarat, India from 23 to 25 August, 2025.
9.0 REPORT ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROME, ITALY BY
HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT CHIWENGA
Cabinet received and noted the report on the official visit to Rome, Italy, as
presented by the Vice President Honourable, General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N.
Chiwenga.
Honourable Vice President Chiwenga undertook an official visit to Rome,
Italy from 1 May to 5 May, 2025 where he discussed key economic and
diplomatic issues as part of the Second Republic’s re-engagement and
engagement drive. Zimbabwe enjoys sound trade relations with Italy, and
in 2024 the country imported goods worth US$31.7 million, while exports
to Italy were valued at US$34.2 million. It is anticipated that once the
country ratifies the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection
Agreement with Italy, more investments from Italian investors will be
unlocked.
The Vice President also met with the Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO) Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu and discussed strategies to
enhance the country’s food security, irrigation infrastructure, agricultural
data systems and overall productivity. Zimbabwe is establishing a cultural
lounge at the FAO Headquarters. The Lounge will be decorated with
traditional Zimbabwean artefacts to showcase the nation’s rich cultural
heritage.
Vice President Chiwenga also held a bilateral meeting with Archbishop Paul
Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, during which he
reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with the
Vatican. On his part, Archbishop Gallagher commended the abolition of the
death sentence by Zimbabwe, and pledged to support the request to the
Vatican for the recognition of early Zimbabwean missionaries. The Vice
President visited major religious and historical sites in Rome and Assisi,
including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum, as part of efforts to
promote cultural diplomacy and religious tourism between Zimbabwe and
the Vatican.
