Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
GOVERNMENT says Zimbabwe’s hosting of the five-day Southern African Development Community (SADC) Cluster Meeting of Ministers responsible for Transport, Information and Communication Technology, and Meteorology, which starts in Bulawayo this Monday, is an indication that the Second Republic’s re-engagement drive is bearing fruit.
This comes at a time when the country has secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.
The country’s reintegration thrust is set to take centre stage as Zimbabwe hosts the five-day SADC Cluster Meeting of Ministers responsible for Transport, Information Communication Technology, and Meteorology at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, starting this Monday.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona, said the meeting is another indication of the growing confidence regional and international partners have in Zimbabwe.
“I am happy that this coming week, we are going to be receiving Ministers of Transport and ICT within the SADC region, and South Africa is going to be chairing this meeting. The meeting comes at a time when we are still celebrating our status as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, a historic milestone. By hosting Ministers from across the region, it demonstrates the confidence and goodwill that Zimbabwe continues to enjoy through the leadership of President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa and his engagement and re-engagement policy.”
Minister Mhona also said hosting the meeting in Zimbabwe is a sign that the country is strategically positioning itself as a key player in strengthening regional collaboration.
“This meeting is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to strategically position itself as a major driver of regional collaboration. We also want to use it as a platform to facilitate the traficability of our goods and services and share best practices in terms of connectivity.”
Players in the infrastructure sector believe the meeting will provide an opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase its creditworthiness after significantly reducing its debt to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) from US$200 million to US$11.7 million.
“We are elated that Zimbabwe is set to host this SADC Cluster meeting; it places Zimbabwe as part of the regional players, and we are happy that it will give us a platform to showcase the country’s creditworthy image,” Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, Dr George Manyaya said.
The five-day meeting is set to bring together ministers from across the SADC region to discuss strategic priorities aimed at strengthening regional infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and deepening collaboration.
