Diaspora seeks recognition as Zimbabwe’s 11th province under CAB 3

AS Parliament begins the First Reading of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No.3 (CAB 3), on Tuesday, a United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean politician and legal expert has appealed for the proposed law to be amended to formally recognise the Zimbabwean Diaspora as the country’s 11th province.

Incoming Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) UK chairperson and 2026 Diaspora Advocacy Award winner, Cde Pardon Tapfumaneyi, who recently joined Zanu-PF under the Dzokai Kumusha/Buyani Ekhaya Programme,
has written to Youth Empowerment, Development
and Vocational Training Minister Cde Tinoda Machakaire urging Government to seize what he described as a

“historic opportunity” to constitutionally entrench the Diaspora’s role in national development.
Cde Tapfumaneyi said the amendment would affirm Zimbabweans living abroad as an integral part of the nation rather than “an afterthought”.
“We believe the current Constitutional Amendment Bill No.3 presents a timely opportunity to translate words into action by officially recognising the Zimbabwean Diaspora as the 11th Province of Zimbabwe in the Constitution,” he said.

He said constitutional recognition would provide a firm legal basis for dedicated representation, policy frameworks and budget allocation for Diaspora affairs.
“Such recognition would affirm the Diaspora as an integral part of our national fabric, not just an afterthought.

“It would also provide constitutional basis for dedicated representation, budget allocation and policy frameworks for Diaspora affairs,” said CdeTapfumaneyi.
In his letter to Minister Machakaire, Cde Tapfumaneyi thanked the Minister for attending the recent 16th edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he served as guest of honour.
He said the Minister’s engagement with Zimbabweans abroad had strengthened confidence in the Second Republic’s commitment to inclusive development.

“Your engagement has strengthened the trust and confidence the Diaspora has in the Second Republic’s commitment to leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi proposed amendments to several sections of the Constitution through CAB 3, including Section 5(2)(a), which currently recognises Zimbabwe as having 10 provinces.
He proposed replacing the phrase “10 provinces” with “11 provinces with provincial status, including the Zimbabwean Diaspora Province”.

He also called for the inclusion of the “Zimbabwean Diaspora Province” in the First Schedule of the Constitution alongside provinces such as Harare, Bulawayo, Midlands and Matabeleland North.
Cde Tapfumaneyi further proposed amendments to Sections 120 and 124 of the Constitution to provide for Diaspora representation in both the Senate and National Assembly through reserved parliamentary seats.

“To provide for Diaspora representation, similar to the women’s quota arrangement, we propose seats reserved for the Diaspora Province,” he said.
He argued that because Zimbabwean communities abroad are spread across continents, Senate representation would ensure their voices are adequately reflected in national governance structures.

“CAB 3 is already opening the Constitution for amendment.
“We respectfully request that your good offices be used to propose an amendment that enacts the 11th Province now,” said Cde Tapfumaneyi.
“This would be a historic step that puts policy into constitutional law and assures every Zimbabwean abroad that they have a permanent seat at the table.”

He said the Diaspora community stood ready to engage Government, Parliament and other stakeholders on the structure, representation model and operational framework of the proposed province.
“We stand ready to engage your Ministry, Parliament and stakeholders to provide input on the structure, representation model and functions of the Diaspora Province,” he said.

Zimbabweans in the Diaspora have increasingly called for greater participation in governance and policy processes, arguing that their contribution through remittances, investment, skills transfer and international networks makes them a critical constituency in the country’s socio-economic development.