Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right recognised in Zimbabwe’s Constitution and international human rights instruments. It ensures that people live in safety, peace, and dignity, and is essential for both physical and mental well-being.
This right is indivisible and interdependent, meaning it is closely linked to other basic rights such as access to sanitation, water, education, and healthcare. Moreover, it is influenced by broader economic trends, labour markets, migration, and demographic shifts, all of which affect housing availability. Consequently, failure to realise these related rights and provide socio-economic amenities can undermine the progressive realisation of the right to housing.
Recognising that adequate housing is a basic human right, the Government of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is driving a notable transformation in housing delivery. The Government is prioritising affordable housing and implementing policies to increase access to decent shelter.
Housing delivery is one of the 14 national priorities under the National Development Strategy (NDS1). The key goal is to provide decent, affordable, and high-quality settlements in both urban and rural areas.
Zimbabwe’s national housing backlog is estimated at 1,2 million. As a result, the housing delivery pillar within the NDS1 aims to deliver 220 000 housing units by 2025 and more than 470 000 homes by 2030 through the collective efforts of Government, the private sector, and individuals. These projects include not only the construction of housing units but also the provision of essential on-site developments such as roads, water, and sewer reticulation services.
President Mnangagwa recently highlighted that the country’s infrastructure development projects, including housing, are part of an irreversible journey towards achieving national goals through strategic investments and home-grown solutions. He made these remarks at the commissioning of the Midlands Park Housing Project in Zvishavane, a multi-million dollar initiative and a major milestone in the Government’s drive to provide decent accommodation.
“Our country is indeed on an irreversible journey towards 2030,” said President Mnangagwa. “As the Second Republic, we shall continue to decisively embrace the future where strategic investments, natural solidarity and home-grown solutions propel us into a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income economy with a high quality of life for all the people of our great country.”
The President toured the Midlands Park facility to gain a better appreciation of the project, which has already created more than 3 000 jobs, with the majority drawn from local communities. The housing project includes 28 residential blocks with a capacity for 56 households and four-storey student accommodation blocks with 126 bedrooms for up to 750 students. A total of US$29 million has been invested in the project, with the Public Service Pension Fund providing an initial US$16,49 million.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to deliver one million housing units by the end of the year, as outlined in the NDS1.
President Mnangagwa commended the Public Service Commission Pension Fund, which spearheaded the project, stating that the fruition of the US$29 million housing entity was testimony to what could be achieved through judicious use of resources.
“I congratulate you for the hard work and prudent use of resources that have seen this project becoming a reality. The project stands as a symbol of what we can achieve working together. The modern infrastructure also stands as a source of pride for the veterans of the liberation struggle who fought hard so we could have a decent life.
“I congratulate the Public Service Commission, along with all our strategic partners, for the hard work, unity of purpose and prudent use of resources that have seen this project becoming a reality. The commissioning of these state-of-the-art accommodation facilities stands as a symbol of what we can achieve working together as a united and peace-loving people towards the modernisation of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
The housing project, he added, goes beyond the provision of shelter and embodies the spirit of patriotism and collective determination. It further encapsulates the bold choices being made by the Second Republic under the National Development Strategy, to realise equitable, people-centred development that leaves no one and no place behind.
It is clear that the Second Republic’s focus on housing is not an isolated effort but a key component of a larger national and international strategy. The housing delivery pillar is central to the attainment of Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by the year 2030.
This vision is a long-term plan that guides all Government policies and projects, including the NDS1. Housing is considered a fundamental driver of economic growth and social stability, and by addressing the housing backlog, the Government is creating a foundation for broad-based economic transformation and a higher quality of life for its citizens.
Furthermore, Zimbabwe’s housing policy aligns with global development frameworks, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The country’s initiatives directly contribute to achieving SDG 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” By prioritising the provision of decent and affordable housing, the Government is actively working to reduce informal settlements and improve urban living standards, which are core objectives of the international agenda.
This alignment with global goals strengthens Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the international community and attracts partnerships with various stakeholders, including the private sector and international development agencies.
The Second Republic’s housing initiatives are also a strategic investment in the nation’s human capital. Providing dignified housing improves public health and well-being, which in turn enhances productivity and participation in the economy. The creation of jobs through housing projects, such as the Midlands Park initiative, directly contributes to economic empowerment and poverty reduction.
This integrated approach, where housing is seen as an enabler for economic and social development, is a deliberate strategy to ensure that the journey towards an upper-middle-income economy leaves “no one and no place behind.” The collective efforts of Government, the private sector, and individuals in this area are designed to create a virtuous cycle of development that will propel Zimbabwe towards its national aspirations.
The Government’s concerted efforts to tackle the housing crisis are a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to delivering on its promises and transforming the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans. The strategic focus on housing as a key pillar of the NDS1 and Vision 2030, coupled with collaboration between Government, the private sector, and individuals, is a comprehensive approach that is already yielding tangible results, as seen in projects like the Midlands Park Housing Project.
By providing dignified and affordable housing, the Government is not only fulfilling a basic human right but also laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth and social development, ensuring the nation’s irreversible journey towards becoming an upper-middle-income economy is inclusive and benefits everyone.
