Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka-Zimpapers Politics Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy scored another diplomatic victory in the United Kingdom on Saturday, with the official launch of the Zimbabwean Community in Oxfordshire (ZICO) highlighting the strengthening ties between Zimbabwe and Britain and providing fresh evidence that the Second Republic’s foreign policy thrust is yielding tangible results.
The landmark launch, which brought together senior British civic leaders, diplomats, business executives and Zimbabwean community representatives, saw ZICO become the first formally constituted organisation representing Zimbabweans across the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone for one of Oxfordshire’s fastest-growing diaspora communities.
The event comes barely days after Zimbabwe’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the 2027-2028 term, a diplomatic breakthrough widely viewed as confirmation that President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement agenda is continuing to reposition Zimbabwe on the global stage.
For many years, relations between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom were characterised by diplomatic tensions and limited engagement.
However, since the advent of the Second Republic in 2017, President Mnangagwa has consistently pursued a policy of engagement and re-engagement aimed at rebuilding relations with the international community, including countries with which Zimbabwe previously had strained ties.
Saturday’s launch in Oxford was widely seen as another manifestation of that policy, particularly given the participation of senior representatives from both Zimbabwean and British institutions.
Deputy Ambassador Levi Upenyu Mukono, who represented Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande, said the establishment of ZICO dovetailed with Government efforts to strengthen engagement with Zimbabweans living abroad while fostering stronger bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the UK.
“I am encouraged by ZICO’s stated objectives to strengthen community cohesion, support families, promote cultural identity and advance the welfare of Zimbabweans in both Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom,” said Deputy Ambassador Mukono.
“These goals align closely with the broader aspiration of building strong, inclusive and empowered diaspora communities that remain connected to their heritage while contributing meaningfully to their host societies.”
He said the Government recognised the strategic role of the diaspora in national development and economic transformation.
“The Government of Zimbabwe values the contributions of its citizens living abroad and recognises the diaspora’s crucial role in national development.
“ZICO has the potential to build bridges between Zimbabweans in the diaspora and institutions in Zimbabwe and the UK, fostering educational initiatives, business linkages, cultural exchanges and community development programmes that benefit both nations,” he said.
Political observers noted that the endorsement of ZICO by the Zimbabwean Embassy reflects Harare’s increasing focus on diaspora diplomacy, one of the key pillars of President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
The launch was also attended by senior British civic leaders, including Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Mr Mark Bhagwandin, who represented the Lord-Lieutenant, the King’s official representative in the county.
His presence, alongside other senior civic and community leaders, was viewed as further evidence of the growing warmth in relations between Zimbabwe and Britain and the increasing integration of Zimbabwean communities within British society.
Addressing guests, Mr Bhagwandin described the launch as an important moment not only for Zimbabweans in Oxfordshire but also for the county itself.
“This is not simply the opening of an organisation, it is the recognition of a community that has been part of the fabric of this county for many years, now stepping forward with a clear voice, a clear structure and a clear purpose,” he said.
The significance of the event was further amplified by recent remarks from outgoing British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Pete Vowles, who congratulated Zimbabwe on securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council and expressed London’s willingness to continue working closely with Harare.
During his farewell engagements, Ambassador Vowles openly acknowledged the significant improvement in bilateral relations during his tenure, a development widely attributed to President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement agenda.
ZICO chairman Mr Memory Tapfumaneyi directly linked the formation of the organisation to President Mnangagwa’s vision of recognising the diaspora as Zimbabwe’s “11th Province”.
“This is one of our President’s visions and priorities when he recognised the diaspora as the 11th Province of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Tapfumaneyi.
“We, as the Zimbabwean community, are ready to contribute, collaborate, celebrate our identity and build bridges with the wider society in which we live.”
He said the presence of senior Zimbabwean and British officials at the launch demonstrated growing confidence in diaspora-led initiatives and reflected the success of efforts to strengthen engagement between Zimbabwe and its citizens abroad.
“The presence of our Deputy Ambassador is a clear message to all of us that our Government is willing and open to work with and support diaspora communities.
“The presence of His Majesty the King’s Deputy Lieutenant and Oxford’s first citizen assures us of a legitimate space and place within our country and nation,” said Mr Tapfumaneyi.
Mr Tapfumaneyi, also a founding member of the Council of Faith in Oxford, said his deep passion for his homeland, Zimbabwe, inspired him to establish ZICO, an initiative dedicated to serving, representing and strengthening the Zimbabwean diaspora community across Oxfordshire and beyond.
He said ZICO would focus on strengthening community bonds, promoting cultural heritage, encouraging civic participation and creating opportunities for dialogue, enterprise and mutual understanding.
For many observers, the symbolism of the event was unmistakable.
A Zimbabwean community organisation receiving official endorsement from the Zimbabwean Embassy, while simultaneously attracting support from senior representatives of the British establishment reflects the changing diplomatic landscape between the two countries.
As Zimbabwe continues to register diplomatic successes, including its recent election to the UNSC, the launch of ZICO stands as another tangible example of how President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy is translating into practical outcomes — strengthening international partnerships, reconnecting with the diaspora and enhancing Zimbabwe’s standing in the global community.
