Wallace Ruzvidzo and Remember Deketeke
SOUTH AFRICAN President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to arrive in the country this morning to officially open the 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS).
His participation underlines the ZAS’ growing appeal as a Sadc agribusiness forum, with the then Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi having officially opened last year’s edition.
On Wednesday, President Mnangagwa implored the general citizenry to accord his South African counterpart a warm Zimbabwean welcome and stay.
“On Friday (today), we will host His Excellency, Cde Cyril Matemela Ramaphosa, President of the African National Congress party and the Republic of South Africa, who is the Guest of Honour at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
“I call upon the party and the nation to prepare to extend our usual and trademark warm hospitality to our guests,” he said at the 386th Ordinary Session of the Politburo.
Other South African leaders to have officiated at ZAS in the past include former Presidents Jacob Zuma and the late Nelson Mandela in 2009 and 1994, respectively.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson, Mrs Philisiwe Chidawanyika told The Herald last night that everything was in place for President Ramaphosa’s arrival this morning.
“All is in place (for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s arrival and participation at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show). The two countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations and there are ongoing efforts to strengthen these ties,” she said.
The Foreign Affairs spokesperson said exhibitors from the neighbouring country were among the international participants.
Outside South Africa, foreign participants from Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau and China are exhibiting at this year’s event.
Speaking after touring various exhibition stands yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the annual Agriculture Show had become an important bridge, linking various sectors of the economy, while also showcasing Zimbabwe’s progress towards food security and modernisation.
This year’s edition has drawn exhibitors from across Africa and Asia, including countries like China and Palau.
“This year’s exhibition has not only attracted more institutions, but also larger and more diverse participants, including exhibitors from other countries. This demonstrates that Zimbabwe’s agriculture is no longer just about production, but about building strong connections with industry and the community,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the media fraternity had a role to play in promoting what is being showcased at this year’s edition, to local, regional and other wider global markets.
The agricultural show, which started on Monday, is being held under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry & Community”.
“Members of the Fourth Estate have a responsibility to educate and inform both the nation and international markets about the progress taking place within Zimbabwe’s borders,” he said.
“There have been major investments in damming infrastructure such as Tokwe-Mukosi, Marowanyati, Mutare’s Muchekeranwa, and ongoing projects like Kunzvi.
“These have provided reliable water supplies to sustain agriculture and ensure food sufficiency,” Dr Muswere said.
This year Agriculture Show is organised around five sections, namely agri-produce, tobacco, cotton, livestock and commercial exhibition.
Major business events include the Golf Tournament, Annual ZAS Schools Quiz, Annual National Agribusiness Conference, Exhibitors cocktail, Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards, Environmental, Social and Governance Conference and the Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology Indaba.
Africa Moyo-Deputy News Editor
South Africa and China have called on anyone aggrieved by the results of last week’s harmonised elections to follow available legal processes and not resort to violence.
In an interview with his country’s media yesterday, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said the SADC region and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, detest violence in all its forms, and called for peace in Zimbabwe.
“Violence is one of those reactions that we abhor and want to avoid. And the Secretary-General of the United Nations has made the same call and so do we,” said President Ramaphosa.
“Violence must be avoided at all costs.
“Elections are processes that are always either disputed or accepted, and when they are disputed, there are always channels, in every country, to challenge the outcome of the elections and we want that to always be done on a peaceful basis.”
President Ramaphosa said it was important to wait until all processes underway in Zimbabwe were completed before people made unnecessary remarks.
In Zimbabwe, High Court judges preside over Electoral Courts which deal with petitions for the Parliamentary elections, with very tight deadlines for submitting the petitions and deciding the issue, and the Constitutional Court, again with tight deadlines for submitting a petition and for making a decision, deals with the Presidential poll.
President Ramaphosa said he had sent his congratulations to President Mnangagwa following his re-election, on the basis of the declaration of results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
In its congratulatory statement, China’s deputy director of information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr Wang Wenbin, said as a friend to Zimbabwe, they have been closely following the general elections in Harare.
He said at Zimbabwe’s invitation, China sent an observer mission there, which believes the elections were held in a peaceful and orderly fashion with active participation by the people.
“We have noted the result released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and extend congratulations to President Mnangagwa,” said Mr Wang. “We stand ready to work with the new Government to bring our two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights.”
Mr Wang called on all parties to put the people’s interests first and resolve any differences properly through legal means.
“China adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. We respect the Zimbabwe people’s choice, wish the country continued stability after the election and greater progress in pursuing national development and prosperity,” he said.
South Africa and China’s remarks come after CCC leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has promised to unleash violence so as to grab the leadership of the country.
Addressing the media this week, Mr Chamisa said he will not wait until 2028 to try to become Zimbabwe’s president.
But police have said they have adequate machinery to deal with any trouble-causers who may want to unseat a democratically elected Government.
Yesterday, CCC deputy spokesperson Mr Gift Siziba said they wanted fresh elections, despite the fact that all those who won in National Assembly and local authority elections have been celebrating their victories, achieved under similar electoral circumstances.
Some of the CCC winners such as Ms Fadzayi Mahere, who won the Mt Pleasant National Assembly seat, have since congratulated voters for voting for her.
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