Story by Abigirl Tembo
Government has revealed that the country has sufficient grain stocks to last until the next harvest in April.
In a post-cabinet media briefing held in Harare this Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere confirmed that the Grain Marketing Board’s current stock levels are enough to sustain the nation until the next harvest, providing relief to millions of Zimbabweans who rely on maize and other grains as their staple food.
Following the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Monetary Policy Statement last week, cabinet has identified several economic challenges and introduced a mix of short-term and long-term measures to address them, particularly focusing on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The foreign currency retention ratio for exporters will also be reduced from 75% as to 25% to 70% as to 30%, while the central bank has lowered bank charges and introduced minimum deposit interest rates.
A report on the joint SADC-EAC summit on the Democratic Republic of Congo was also presented in this week’s cabinet meeting.
Government has also announced plans to host the 2025 National Youth Day celebrations at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo next week.
The event themed: “Empower Youth, Secure the Future,” is expected to attract 20 000 youths and provide a platform for them to showcase their businesses, talents and contributions to national development.
The pre-celebrations events on 20th February 2025 will attract an estimated total of 5 000 youths drawn from schools and institutions of higher and tertiary education within Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and the adjoining provinces.
Highlights of the day will include a sporting and cultural fiesta; youth exhibitions; a clean-up campaign programme; a community outreach programme on drug and substance abuse; and the inimitable Ixhiba/ Nhanga/ Gota expose by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
