dyton mupawaenda
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora updated Cabinet on the national cholera outbreak response.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to conduct integrated training in case management, surveillance, Infection Prevention and Control, and social mobilization for Midlands and Masvingo Provinces.
There is also continued community awareness, and deployment of oral rehydration points and cholera treatment camps.
The Ministry and Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust conducted two-day training sessions on cholera advocacy in Mutare and Masvingo cities.
The training sessions were attended by leaders from Apostolic and Islamic faiths, traditional beliefs, and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association.
UPDATE ON THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ICT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION STRATEGY
Cabinet received and noted the update on the Ministry of Home Affairs ICT Systems Integration Strategy as presented by Honourable Kazembe Kazembe.
As the nation may recall, the Integrated Information and Communication Technology Systems Strategy in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage aims at automating work processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and to integrate Information Technology (ICT) systems within the Ministry as well as with outsiders.
The implementation of the project should facilitate ease of doing business, which is the Second Republic’s mantra. The Ministry is moving forward in implementing the Strategy in order to modernise and automate systems and contribute to the early attainment of Vision 2030 in 2028 as pronounced by Excellency the President.
The strategy comprises the following pillars: the Zimbabwe Population Registry System; the Online Border Management System; the Police Integrated Information Management System; the Traffic Management System; the Forensic Laboratory Management System; and the Electronic Document and Records Management System.
While the Strategy is being implemented in phases, some progress has been recorded under the different pillars. Highlights include the following:
• The Zimbabwe Population Registry System has seen 73 Registry offices being computerised, with the e- passport services being installed at seven provincial and eight district Registry offices. E-passports are now being issued withinseven days;
• The Online Border Management System is at an advanced stage, with test runs for online Visa applications being conducted; and
• Work is underway on the Forensic Laboratory Management System, with some forensic equipment having been received.
UPDATE ON THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMME
Cabinet was updated on the re-establishment of the National Youth Service Programme by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire.
Since the Cabinet decision in 2021 to re-establish the National Youth Service programme, some progress has been registered by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
Achievements to date include:
• The National Youth Service Bill is being drafted following the approval of the Principles in August 2023;
• Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation of the programme;
• The development of a 6-month training programme which will target youths between the ages of 18 and 35. The programme, which covers 3 months of institutionalised training and 3 months of community attachment, will commence in June 2024 with an enrolment of 750 youths across the country. Those who undergo the training will be issued with certificates on completion of the programme;
• The new curriculum will infuse national orientation with life skills training and entrepreneurial development;
• New uniforms, signage and logo have been designed and will be registered;
• All production units are expected to fully utilise available land and engage in commercial production units for self-sustenance; and
• A total of 10 000 youths are earmarked to undergo training in 2024. The youths will be drawn equally from all the country’s ten provinces. The recruitment will be cascaded to incorporate youths in all wards and districts; and
• The National Youth Service Programme has been renamed Youth Service in Zimbabwe.
Going forward, youths who complete training will receive priority in employment and enrolment into public sector and higher and tertiary education institutions, and will be prioritised for financial support to establish new projects and businesses.
SECOND EDITION OF THE SPECIAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BINGA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Cabinet considered and adopted the second edition of the Special Report on the Implementation of Binga Development Initiatives, which was presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Honourable Lovemore Matuke.
Cabinet is advising the nation that Government has taken significant strides in implementing life-changing projects that are aimed at addressing infrastructure and socio-economic gaps in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province. It will be recalled that on the occasion of his visit to Binga District to address a Star Rally at Siabuwa Growth Point on 19 March 2022, President Mnangagwa, pronounced the Binga Development Initiatives.
The initiatives were intended to address the huge infrastructure and socio-economic development deficiencies that were evident in the District. This is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind towards the attainment of Vision 2030. To that end, 21 Binga Development Initiatives were identified and implementation began in earnest thereafter.
An assessment exercise was undertaken during the period November 12 to 26, 2023. The exercise covered Sizemba, Tyuunga, Nsungwale, Siabuwa, Mujere, Manjolo and Bulawayo Kraal in Binga North Constituency and Lusulu and Chuuzya in Binga South Constituency.
Sampled sectors included education, health, energy, publicity and broadcasting, agriculture, public housing, water and sanitation, information communication technology, governance, empowerment, transport and national registry services.
The following are some of the major projects that have been undertaken in Binga District: the rehabilitation of Lubimbi-Mswazi road; the rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip; the refurbishment of the Binga District Hospital mortuary; the rehabilitation of the Binga Hospital Mothers’ Shelter; establishment of the Twasumpuka Community Radio Station; the rehabilitation of Binga Craft Centre; installation of an electricity transformer at Manjolo; installation of internet connectivity at Binga High School to facilitate e-learning; establishment of the Binga Border Post; Senior appointments in Government; Issuance of national identification documents; and delivery of fishing rigs.
Outstanding projects are being accelerated to ensure that no one and no place is left behind.
During the assessment exercise most beneficiaries testified to the positive impact on socio-economic development of the district and livelihoods as a result of the implementation of the initiatives.
Benefits to the people included, among others, employment creation; correct information dissemination in local languages on development programmes and projects implemented by the Second Republic; improved road trafficability and water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural use; as well as improved food and nutrition security; and enhanced social services.
PRINCIPLES OF THE TOURISM AMENDMENT BILL
Cabinet considered and approved the Tourism Amendment Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable B. Rwodzi.
The Bill seeks to ensure that Zimbabweans benefit from local tourism resources in fulfilment of Section 13 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides for national development inclusive of the marginalized areas of the country.
The Bill will also incorporate the principles of public administration and leadership set out in the Constitution and the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act.
The Bill will also comprehensively address the ease of doing business environment in the tourism sector in line with Vision 2030.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter