Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
Government says the country has taken another step toward deepening international partnerships after the Cabinet approved several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at its meeting on Tuesday.
Speaking after the meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the approvals covered cooperation 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 the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and South Africa concerning cooperation in higher education and training.
“The memorandum seeks to establish a legal framework for bilateral cooperation 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 fostering of institutional partnerships as well as mutual recognition of qualifications.”
Minister Soda said the 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 cooperation in the field of arts, culture and heritage in accordance with the parties’ relevant domestic laws,” said Minister Soda.
“The main areas of cooperation include 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 cooperation on the Museum of African Liberation project located in Zimbabwe, including but not limited to the provision of historical artifacts 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 cooperation in the field of youths.
“The memorandum will establish a framework for cooperation 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 the Cabinet considered and approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and Belarus concerning cooperation in the field of arts and culture.
“The MoU seeks to strengthen cooperation in areas including joint exhibitions, seminars, workshops, exchange of experts on museums, folklore and films, protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage festivals, visual arts, traditional handicraft, music and dances.”
