2025 1.0 EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION
Cabinet considered and approved the Early Childhood Development Coordination (ECD) Framework, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President Col. (Rtd.) K.C.D. Mohadi, as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Social Service and Poverty Eradication. The Early Childhood Development Coordination Framework is a strategy that seeks to harmonise the existing policies, strategies and initiatives; and strengthen the capacity of the existing systems and structure to holistically provide quality and affordable service to the children up to seven years.
The specific objectives of the Framework are as follows: harmonising existing ECD policy-related goals, strategies and initiatives within and across all sectors; setting, improving and aligning standards to ensure equitable access to well-coordinated, quality, inclusive and affordable ECD services; as well as harmonising and strengthening the capacity of existing systems and structures to deliver integrated quality and inclusive ECD programmes.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1): 2021-2025 underscore the importance of investing in early childhood development as a tool for poverty reduction and a vehicle for producing skilled and capable human capital for socio-economic transformation.
Zimbabwe is also a signatory of several global and regional protocols that call on Governments to ensure that all children access quality early childhood development. The Framework therefore aligns the country’s aspirations, policy and legislative environment, as well as international obligations.
2.0 PREPARATIONS TO HOST THE 45TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AND THE CHILDREN’S PARTY
Cabinet received an update on Preparations for the 2025 Independence Day Celebrations and Children’s Party, as presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, in his capacity as Acting Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments Honourable Daniel Garwe.
In line with the thrust of the Second Republic to hold national events rotationally across the Country’s Provinces, the 45th Independence Anniversary Celebrations will be held on 18th April 2025 at the Nembudziya Growth Point Open Ground Venue in Gokwe North. As per tradition, the Children’s Party will precede the main celebrations on 17th April at Nyamuroro High School, while the Independence Gala will be hosted at Nembudziya Government High School on the eve of 18th April 2025. Running under the theme, “Zim@ 45: Devolve and Develop Together towards Vision 2030,” the celebrations are poised to attract 60 000 people drawn from all the ten Provinces of Zimbabwe.
Preparatory works are all at an advanced stage and progressing well, with the construction of legacy projects in full swing at the Main Arena at Gokwe North Open Grounds; the Gala site at Nembudziya Government High School; and the venue of the Children’s Party at Nyamuroro High School. Government has taken steps to guarantee the supply of clean, safe and adequate drinking water through the drilling of 110 boreholes in Gokwe North and South districts, with three boreholes drilled at the venue sites.
Concerning the actual transportation of delegates to the venue sites, Government has mobilized more than 369 buses for equitable distribution throughout the country’s provinces. A total of 3 050 child delegates will be hosted by the First Family at Nyamuroro High School on 17th April 2025. The child delegates will start arriving at Nyamuroro High School on 15 April 2025 and will depart on 19th April 2025.
The highlights of the events leading to the celebrations include the customary Torch Relay and the lighting of the Independence Flame en-route to the main venue. A multi-talented cast of artists and Dance Groups from Kwekwe, Gokwe and other districts will showcase their talents during the Celebrations.
Simba Bhora and FC Platinum Football clubs which emerged as the first and second-positioned teams in the Premier League will entertain the crowds during the main Independence Day Anniversary celebrations, while Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos Football Clubs will play during the 2025 Children’s Party celebrations.
3.0 REPORT ON PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTING THE 2025 SANGANAYI/HLANGANANI BUSINESS EXPO AND ITS PROPOSED DECENTRALISATION
Cabinet received the Report on Preparations for Hosting the 2025 Sangnayi/Hlanganani Business Expo and approved its Proposed Decentralisation, as presented by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi. The Sanganayi/Hlanganani Expo 2025 will be held from 10 to 12 September 2025, in Mutare, Manicaland Province in line with the devolution principle and the development philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”.
Going forward, the Sanganayi/Hlanganani Tourism Expo will be held on a rotational basis across the 10 provinces. This will enhance the profiling and rebranding of the respective provinces for tourism, trade and investment promotion.
4.0 UPDATE ON PREPARATIONS FOR EXPO 2025: 13 April to 13 OCTOBER 2025
Cabinet considered and approved the Preparations for the Expo 2025 Osaka Report, as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Professor dr Amon Murwira.
The Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan from 13th April to 13th October 2025. A 12-member delegation led by a Commissioner-General will represent Zimbabwe at the high-profile international event. Plans are already at an advanced stage to establish the Zimbabwe Pavilion and the identification of public and private institutions, especially the business community representatives that will showcase content in the following key sectors of the economy: tourism; mining; education; innovation; and agriculture. Content creation is already at an advanced stage, while construction of the Pavilion, Commercial space and development of websites is already underway.
The highlights of the 6-month long Expo 2025 programme will include the Zimbabwe National Day to be graced by His Excellency President Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa on the 16th July 2025. The event will provide a platform to harness investment dividends and other collaborative opportunities, as the President will be engaging both international investors and the Diaspora community in Japan.
5.0 REPORT ON HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT’S ATTENDANCE AT THE FUNERAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY DR. SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA, THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA ON 28 FEBRUARY, 2025
Cabinet also received a Report by the Honourable Minister Foreign Affairs and International Trade on His Excellency the President, Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa attendance at the State Funeral of the Founding President and Father of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, from 28 February to 1 March 2025. The State Funeral was held under the theme “Celebrating a Revolutionary, Honouring an African Icon”.
In his remarks, His Excellency the President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, paid tribute to Dr. Nujoma, describing him as a “liberation stalwart and founding father” of the Namibian nation who liberated his country and played a prominent role in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa as a whole.
He articulated how Dr. Nujoma’s vision extended beyond political freedom, to encompass the economic emancipation of the people of Namibia. As Chairperson of the Southern African Community (SADC), His Excellency the President called upon regional leaders and citizens to uphold the values espoused by Dr. Nujoma, such as selflessness, integrity, and PanAfricanism. He urged everyone to defend Dr. Nujoma’s legacy in the quest for regional integration and unity.
