Chronicle Editor
Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Mozambique to the east and Zambia to the north-west.
The capital city is Harare and other main cities are Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru. The national population is 12 973 808, according to the 2012 census but a recent official estimate put it at 17 million. A national housing and population census is ongoing until the end of this month.
The national currency is the Zimbabwe dollar, but United States dollar, Euro, South African rand, British pound, Botswana pula, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, Australian dollar and the Indian rupee can be used legally.
Seasons, weather, suggested clothing
December to March: Normally the rainy season with warm to hot days, mild to warm evenings. Light Clothing and rain-wear.
April and May: Mainly sunny, warm days with cool to cold evenings. Pack a jersey for the evenings.
June to August: Mild, sunny days but can be distinctly cold in the evenings. A jersey or anorak is strongly recommended.
September: Pleasant sunny days – may need a jersey for the evenings.
October to December: Hot sunny days with high temperatures. Nights are warm. Light clothing.
Business hours
Companies:
0800hrs – 1700hrs (Monday to Friday)
Banking hours:
0800hrs – 1500hrs (Monday to Friday)
0800hrs – 1130hrs (Saturdays)
Government offices:
0745hrs – 1645hrs (Monday to Friday)
On Saturdays Government offices are closed but the commercial sector opens in the morning until 12:30 pm/ 1:00 pm. Some retail outlets open on Sunday mornings
Telecommunications
Zimbabwe has three cellular network operators through which roaming facilities are available. (If you wish to bring your cellular telephone along it is advisable to check with your local cellular provider as to whether or not they have roaming facilities in Zimbabwe). Pay as you go cards are also available from the cellular companies in Zimbabwe.
Access to the sea
Although Zimbabwe is landlocked, it enjoys easy access to the sea-ports of Beira and Maputo in Mozambique and Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London in South Africa. Zimbabwe is building a dry port at Walvis Bay in Namibia to the west, so the sea can be accessed in that direction too.
Membership in international trade organisations
World Trade Organisation, Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, International Monetary Fund, International Labour Organisation, United Nations, African Union, World Customs Organisation, Eastern and Southern Africa – European Union interim Economic Partnership Agreement (ESA-EU iEPA).
Regional economic communities
Sadc: Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) that facilitates and co-ordinates development projects in Southern Africa. Other Sadc member states are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
Comesa: Zimbabwe is also a member of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) another regional organisation set up to encourage trade by reducing and eventually eliminating trade barriers and to create a common market. Zimbabwe and eight other countries namely Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Sudan and Zambia have now formed a Free Trade Area under Comesa. Other member states are Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Swaziland, and Uganda.
African Union: Zimbabwe is a member of the African Union as well.
Other: African Development Bank, World Bank, African Caribbean and Pacific States. – Chronicle Reporter/ZimTrade
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