Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT says Zimbabwe has taken another step towards deepening international partnerships after Cabinet approved several Memorandums of Understanding following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the approvals covered co-operation arrangements with Belarus, Qatar and South Africa, spanning arts and culture, youth development, higher education and training, as well as heritage protection and cultural exchange.
He said Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and South Africa concerning co-operation in higher education and training.
“The memorandum seeks to establish a legal framework for bilateral co-operation in the field of higher education and training,” said Minister Soda.
“It will also broaden access to quality education through exchange programmes, joint research initiatives and the fostering of institutional partnerships, as well as mutual recognition of qualifications.”
Minister Soda said Cabinet further approved another MoU between Zimbabwe and South Africa, this time focusing specifically on arts, culture and heritage.
“The memorandum seeks to promote, develop and increase co-operation in the field of arts, culture and heritage in accordance with the parties’ relevant domestic laws,” said Minister Soda.
“The main areas of co-operation include the conservation and restoration of archival documents; collaboration between the national archives and the national museums of each country; the prevention of cross-border trafficking; exchange of cultural property; and co-operation on the Museum of African Liberation project located in Zimbabwe, including, but not limited to, the provision of historical artefacts from the Republic of South Africa’s liberation struggle for display in the museum, and other related areas of mutual interest.”
Cabinet also approved an MoU between Zimbabwe and the State of Qatar on co-operation in the field of youth.
“The memorandum will establish a framework for co-operation in the field of youth programmes, including youth entrepreneurship, development of national youth policies, exchange of experiences and related research, among others.”
Minister Soda said Cabinet considered and approved an MoU between Zimbabwe and Belarus concerning co-operation in the field of arts and culture.
“The MoU seeks to strengthen co-operation in areas including joint exhibitions, seminars, workshops, exchange of experts on museums, folklore and films, and the protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage, festivals, visual arts, traditional handicrafts, music and dance.”
