Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has called on financial institutions and investors to mobilise capital for productive land use, underpinned by rigorous due diligence and responsible risk management, as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s sustainable development agenda.
Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Advocate Nobert Mazungunye, made the appeal on Thursday during the Estate Agents Council (EAC) inaugural Land Conference in Victoria Falls.
The conference, which ran under the theme: “Land Ownership, Investment, and Sustainability: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Zimbabwe”, drew a wide array of stakeholders from Government, finance, real estate, and civil society.
Deputy Minister Mazungunye said land was sacred and reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised Zimbabweans.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to eradicate poverty, end discrimination, and reduce inequalities by prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised Zimbabweans. Land, as a source of identity, livelihood, and opportunity, stands at the very centre of this obligation,” he said.
He articulated a profound vision of land that transcends its economic value.
“Land is more than just a mere resource; it’s the foundation of dignity, security, and opportunity. It anchors livelihoods, supports food security and underpins the socio-economic fabric of our communities,” he said. “In our tradition, land connects us to our ancestors. The practice of burying the ‘rukuvhute/inkaba/the umbilical cord’ on ancestral soil symbolizes the sacred bond between people and their land.”
To harness this resource for national progress, the Deputy Minister outlined a framework built on three interdependent pillars that include clarity of rights and tenure, transparency in administration, and a commitment to environmental and social sustainability.
He emphasised that the success of this framework hinges on the integrity and coordination of a diverse network of stakeholders, each with a distinct role.
“Financial institutions and investors are called upon to mobilise capital for productive land use, guided by rigorous due diligence and responsible risk management,” he said
“Estate agents and real estate professionals must facilitate fair, efficient, and ethical transactions, serving as trusted intermediaries between owners, buyers, and communities. “Regulators and policy-makers bear the duty of translating principles into clear, enforceable rules that promote investment, reduce uncertainty, and protect property rights.”
Echoing the same sentiment, the chairman of the Estate Agents Council (EAC), Mr Nico Kuipa, positioned the conference as a critical platform for advancing a modern land governance framework.
“This conference underscores not only the opportunities presented by land reform and sound land administration, but also the imperative of inclusive policy design,” said Mr Kuipa.
He said the EAC, by leading the conference, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting harmonised standards and best practices in land administration, tenure security, and professional conveyancing.
Mr Kuipa highlighted the pivotal role of estate agents, who operate within the legal framework of the Estate Agents Act, in bridging the gap between policy and practice.
“The conference is about creating a modern, transparent, and durable land governance framework that strengthens trust, unlocks opportunity, and safeguards our shared future,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mazungunye connected the land agenda directly to President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, and its guiding dictum ‘leaving no one and no place behind’.
“The Second Republic’s transformative vision to establish Zimbabwe as a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030 is the lone star guiding all policy actions and institutional reforms,” he said.
“As the Government, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uphold and strengthen the rule of law in land administration and reform. Let’s rise to this occasion with unity, resolve, and vision.”
The EAC Land Conference is a strategic forum for the actionable insights, policy coherence, and binding commitments required to shape a future where Zimbabwe’s land is a true catalyst for inclusive growth, dignity, and prosperity for all.
Londile Moyo