Story by Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwe’s media to uphold responsible journalism, hunhu/ubuntu and place national interest at the centre of their work, saying the Fourth Estate remains critical to nation-building, social cohesion and economic transformation.
Addressing the first meeting of the 2026 Cabinet calendar in Harare this Tuesday, President Mnangagwa said journalists had a vital role in promoting accountability and unity as Government accelerates implementation of its development agenda.
“To the members of the fourth estate, I challenge you to continue upholding the values of responsible journalism, hunhu/ubuntu, and place our national interest at the centre of whatever you do,” he said.
“The invaluable role you continue to play in information dissemination remains critical towards nation-building, socio-economic transformation, entrenching our national peace, unity and social cohesion.”
The President said the resumption of post-Cabinet media briefings should strengthen public accountability, urging journalists to build on what he described as strong professional performance in 2025.
“As the Post-Cabinet Press Briefings resume in their usual manner, I urge you to continue the excellent work that characterised your operations in 2025 and make 2026 another success story,” he said.
Turning to Cabinet, President Mnangagwa called for tighter coordination, discipline and faster implementation of programmes under the new phase of the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2), which anchors Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda.
He warned against bureaucratic inertia and internal rivalries, stressing that ministers were accountable to the public.
“I will not accept unwarranted rigidity, inflated individualities, misalignment or bureaucratic lethargy that frustrates progress,” he said.
“We are answerable to the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, and accountable governance must be encouraged.”
The President directed Government to complete the review of licences, permits, levies and fees by the end of the first quarter of 2026, saying reforms were essential to improving the ease of doing business, attracting investment and enhancing service delivery.
“These impactful changes should be implemented through the timely release of the necessary Statutory Instruments,” he said.
On agriculture, President Mnangagwa said favourable rainfall patterns had raised optimism for improved food security, although he acknowledged that excessive rains had caused crop losses in some areas.
He instructed the responsible minister to submit a comprehensive report to Cabinet to ensure affected and vulnerable communities receive support.
The President also reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional solidarity, noting that climate-related disasters had affected parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and northern South Africa.
“Guided by the enduring spirit of SADC solidarity, my Administration, under the ZIM-Aid framework, will continue to do its part towards mitigating the vulnerabilities of affected communities,” he said.
Addressing Cabinet operations, President Mnangagwa insisted on mandatory attendance at Cabinet and committee meetings, warning that complacency and absenteeism would not be tolerated.
“Failure to make decisions and the culture of ‘sitting on documents’ will not be condoned,” he said.
“Our people look to us to facilitate investments across all sectors and to deliver services and a higher quality of life.”
He also cautioned ministers against making routine requests for presidential attendance at events, saying only projects of strategic national importance would be considered.
In closing, President Mnangagwa urged Cabinet to embrace servant leadership and remain guided by Zimbabwe’s national development philosophy.
“The decisions we make, and the results we realise or lack thereof, impact the destiny of our motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said, before declaring the 2026 Cabinet session officially open.
