Midlands congratulates ED

THE Midlands Province has congratulated President Mnangagwa on his achievements during his tenure as SADC Chairman, which included playing a notable intermediary role in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), facilitating regional dialogue amid the conflict between Government forces and the M23 rebel movement.

The SADC Chairmanship also brought attention to Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development, particularly in Harare, ahead of the 44th SADC Summit.

President Mnangagwa’s tenure as SADC Chairperson began in August 2024 and came to an end last month.
Addressing a Press conference at the Government Complex yesterday, the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said the Midlands Province congratulates President Mnangagwa for achieving significant milestones for SADC during his tenure as Chairman of the regional body.

“Upon assuming the Chairmanship on 17 August 2024, taking over from President João Lourenço of Angola, our able and visionary leader demonstrated profound statesmanship, leveraging his vast experience and knowledge of domestic affairs, regional dynamics, and global issues to deliver tangible and impactful outcomes for member countries,” he said.

Minister Ncube said the political landscape, economic modernisation, and industrialisation trajectory pursued by the Second Republic since its inception in November 2017 provided invaluable lessons for SADC regional solidarity, trade and market integration, industrialisation, infrastructure development, human development and equality, youth empowerment, and regional peace and security, among other key priorities.

He commended President Mnangagwa for steering the peace process in the DRC by first convening a virtual Extraordinary SADC Summit and later engaging his counterpart William Ruto of the East African Community, culminating in the joint SADC–EAC Summit and the joint African Peace Process.

This initiative inspired diplomatic interventions by other players, including Qatar and the United States, in seeking a lasting solution to the conflict.

“Some achievements include overseeing the successful holding of elections and peaceful transitions of power in Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, and Mozambique. He also presided over the SADC Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas Summit held in Harare, which promoted biodiversity, sustainable development, and eco-tourism as tools for ecosystem preservation, community upliftment, and regional economic integration.

“He also oversaw the ground-breaking construction of the SADC Standby Force Logistics Depot in Botswana and, on behalf of SADC, received the SADC Secretariat Headquarters in Gaborone following its full acquisition in December 2024,” he said.

Minister Ncube said that back home, President Mnangagwa continues to roll out landmark projects and programmes, including the Trabablas Interchange, the modernisation of the RG Mugabe International Airport, the Beitbridge–Harare–Chirundu Highway, and the construction of Lake Gwayi–Shangani.

“There are also a plethora of private sector-led investments, including the US$1,5 billion Dinson plant in Manhize, despite relentless hybrid warfare, including illegal economic sanctions imposed on our motherland Zimbabwe by detractors and enemies of the state,” he said.

Minister Ncube described President Mnangagwa’s tenure as SADC Chairman as outstanding.
“Given the diplomatic prowess exhibited by our iconic leader, it would be fitting for Zimbabwe to assume a United Nations Security Council Non-Permanent seat for the period 2027 to 2028. Zimbabwe in general, and the Midlands Province in particular, remains united, resolute, and unwavering in support of multilateralism and President Mnangagwa’s leadership as we march towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.