Online Reporter
We publish here the post Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
Cabinet received an update on the Second Round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report.
The Report indicates that the area planted to maize increased from 1 728 897 hectares in the 2023/24 season to 1 839 373 ha in the 2024/25 season. The 6,4 percent increase is marginally above the target of 1 800 000 hectares. Based on this assessment, maize production in the 2024/25 season is estimated at 2 293 556 tonnes, the fourth highest ever production by the country.
The production of tobacco, cotton and sunflower increased by 15 percent, 52 percent and 303 percent, respectively. The total national herd is at 5,7 million, a 0,4 percent increase on last year with communal areas dominating and accounting for 64 percent of the total cattle population. A total of 94 623 tonnes of beef was produced in 2024, compared to 90 000 tonnes in 2023. Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Midlands were the top milk producing provinces in 2024, accounting for 89 percent of the country’s production of 115 million litres last year, a 10percent increase from last year. Overall fish production in 2024 is 31 296 tonnes, while crocodile skin sales increased by 34 percent.
ZIMBABWE’S CAMPAIGN STRATEGY FOR A NON-PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL FOR THE TERM 2027-2028
Cabinet considered and approved Zimbabwe’s campaign strategy on the country’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028.
Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term has already been endorsed by both the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, and will be officially launched by President Mnangagwa in Harare, and in New York during the 80th Session of United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. The outcome will be the reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to upholding international peace and security as well as the generation of international goodwill towards the country.
HOSTING OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE NATIONAL CULTURE MONTH: 1 – 31 MAY 2025
Government considered and approved the hosting of the 2025 edition of the National Culture Month from May 1 to 31.
The 2025 National Cultural Month will be held under the theme “Celebrating Indigenous Voices”. The objectives are: to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Zimbabwe, promote cultural diversity and foster national unity; to showcase the diverse cultural practices through various forms that include dance, food, attire, visual arts, literary arts, film, television music and poetry; and to promote intellectual dialogue for cross-cultural understanding and exchange.
The National Culture Month launch will be presided over by President Mnangagwa on a date to be advised, at the homestead of Chief Tshovani in Masvingo Province.
The event will celebrate our identity and diverse cultures. It will also be a platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s success stories in cultural development and its commitment to fulfilling regional and international protocols that promote the growth of the creative and cultural industries.
The first week will focus on encouraging historical recipes and cooking techniques, connecting modern eaters to their culinary heritage. The second week will be an Indigenous Fashion Week where the colourful and unique forms of cultural wear will be rolled out. The third week is the National Culture Month launch while the fourth week is the Indigenous Languages and Cultural Dialogue Week. It will be dedicated to recognizing and celebrating indigenous voices through music, dance, visual displays, poetry, films and language workshops.
Communities are encouraged to celebrate their indigenous languages during the month of May. Provinces will schedule their activities around the culture month, and each province will host its Provincial Launch where the respective Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution will officiate as the Guest of Honour.
REPORTS ON PROJECTS AS AT DAY 50 OF THE 1ST 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025
Cabinet received and noted progress Reports presented by four line Ministers as at Day 50 of the First 100-Day Cycle of 2025.
In terms of the Devolution and Decentralisation pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe highlighted the following achievements on projects under his purview:
Renovation of the Chegutu Civil Registry in Mashonaland West Province is at 70percent of completion;
Renovation of the Chegutu District Development Coordinator’s office is 65 percent complete;
Construction of the Binga Civil Registry in Matabeleland North Province is 65 percent complete; and
Installation of 66 boreholes in Mashonaland East Province is 66 percent complete.
Under the thematic area on housing delivery, preparatory works for the construction of the Munhumutapa Government Office complex in Gweru and Vungu, Midlands Province have commenced.
In terms of the Environment Protection, Climate Resilience and Natural Resources Management pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu highlighted the following achievements on projects under her purview:
The rehabilitation of 200 hectares of the Ditchwe Wetland in Makonde District, Ward 4 for improved human well-being and ecosystem management is on course;
The restoration and protection of 154 hectares of the Chidobe Wetland in Hwange District, Ward 2 is on course. A total of 2 340 livestock and 400 households are already benefiting from the project;
The establishment of a waste sorting and processing centre at the Tafara integrated resource recovery centre in Mabvuku, Harare Metropolitan Province is on course;
The construction of a state-of-the-art one stop pavilion at Hwangwe National Park Main Camp in Matabeleland North Province is 95 percent complete;
The planting of a total of 4 000 indigenous trees on 2 494 hectares of land at Zamazama, Bondongwe, Zunga-Tinhira, Cheza, Hananda and Poshayi villages in Shurugwi district, Midlands Province is on course;
The planting of 52 000 fruit trees under the 45th Independence plantation legacy project in Gokwe North and South districts is 95 percent complete; and
The installation of 15 prototype 3 Dimensional printed automatic weather stations at 15 meteorological stations in Victoria Falls, Marondera, Hwange, Binga, Beitbridge, Kezi, Rupike, Kadoma, Zvishavane, Chipinge, Kanyemba, Mutoko, Mt Darwin, Chisumbanje and West Nicholson is on schedule.
In terms of the Economic Growth pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube highlighted that the mobilisation of tax revenue and Non- Tax Revenue has surpassed the first quarter target.
Under the Economic Growth and Stability Pillar, the Tax and Revenue Management System being implemented in three phases and has achieved the following: the Release 1 Core Fronted processes and Release 2 Tax Agent Module are both 100 percent complete. Meanwhile, the Release 3 Back-end processes 4 of 5 were also successfully implemented, although the system integration and Risk Compliance Management Module is still in progress.
Under the fiscalisation processes, the following achievements were highlighted: internal integration with three banks is in progress, while external integration is ongoing with five Government departments. The user acceptance testing of the Risk Compliance Management Module Phase 1 is now complete, and Phase 2 is ongoing. The Business Intelligence Reporting project is on course, while the launch of the Single Account Automatic Re-opening is in progress.
Under the civil works projects, construction of the ZIMRA Chirundu cottages in Mashonaland West Province has reached 95percent of completion; and refurbishment of the IDBZ Kanyemba Zambezi lodges in Mashonaland Central Province is 100 percent complete.
Under the governance thematic area, the Enterprise Risk Management Project performed as follows: 19 executives from the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and 29 risk champions from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission were trained.
Under conferences, the Manicaland and Midlands Investment Conferences were held in February and March 2025, respectively;
The Manicaland and Midlands Investment Compendiums were completed;
The 57th session of the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development was held from March 12 to 18 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and
Zimbabwe, as the outgoing chair of both the Committee of Experts and the 56th Bureau, handed over the Chairmanship to Morocco.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 65TH ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR:
Cabinet received and noted a report on the official opening of the 65th Edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, officially opened the fair on April 25, at the invitation of President Mnangagwa. In his remarks, President Chapo emphasised the importance of strengthening trade and economic ties between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Mozambique, focusing on leveraging natural resources and infrastructure, especially along the Beira corridor. He also spoke on the need to expedite the Techobanine Integrated project as it is an important artery for national and regional economic diversification.
ZAMBEZI RIVER WATER INFLOWS
Cabinet received an update on the country’s power supply situation and the Zambezi River water inflows at Victoria Falls.
Cabinet noted that inflows into the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls have improved greatly. Tourists visiting the Victoria Falls from now on will be able to enjoy the spectacle more than before. Cabinet therefore invites all citizens and tourists the world over to visit the mighty Victoria Falls.
