Online Reporter
WITH the year coming to an end, our Deputy National Editor AFRICA MOYO interviewed Acting President KEMBO MOHADI to establish the Second Republic’s achievements and challenges throughout the year, as well as prospects for next year. A number of issues, from economics, sport, agriculture and mining, came under discussion. Below are excerpts from the interview.
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Q: Honourable Acting President, it is the end of yet another year … From the Second Republic’s point of view, it is an end to another cycle of projects and efforts to improve the lives of people towards Vision 2030. You may want to share with us some of the successes notched in 2025 across all sectors of the economy?
A: In 2025, the Government of Zimbabwe has made noteworthy strides towards an upper middle-income society, with notable achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, health and fiscal stability. Some key successes include:
Infrastructure development: Significant investments have been made in transportation and energy infrastructure, improving connectivity between rural and urban areas, boosting trade and mobility and access to essential services. The commissioning of the Trabablas Interchange is one of the major highlights in the transport sector.
Agricultural advancements: The Government has implemented programmes aimed at boosting food security achieved through enhanced modern technology and climate-smart agriculture — the Pfumvudza/Intwasa model. The year also saw the launch of AI-powered grain silos across the country; this will have a profound reduction of post-harvest losses experienced in the past.
Healthcare improvements: There have been efforts to expand healthcare access, particularly in rural communities, through the expansion of rural health centres, and the digitisation of health records improved access to care. There is a marked improvement in the deployment of road and air ambulances within the emergency medical sector in response to road traffic accidents and other emergencies.
Fiscal stability consolidation: Exchange rate stability and moderated inflation, which resulted in investor confidence, was, among others, our major achievements in 2025. As a country, we are not receiving much in terms of credit lines; as such, we are financing most of our projects through local resources, and to be able to do that, we have to have great fiscal discipline to attract the few public-private partnerships, which are driving our economic growth. Our ability to moderate the inflation compared to previous years resulted in improved household purchasing power, which is a plus for our people.
Education reforms: Investments in educational infrastructure and curriculum updates have aimed at equipping the youth with skills relevant to the job market. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has launched digital learning platforms to expand access to education, especially in rural communities. The recent launch of Luzibo FM by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education — a dedicated educational radio station — is a milestone in the education sector. Also, our universities are thriving in the production of goods and services for the community. For example, Bindura University of Science Education is finalising the Chiringa M&E (monitoring and evaluation) Dashboard adopted by the Government to monitor various projects.
Q: What are some of the challenges you faced along the way because, quite clearly, some projects have not been completed, such as the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, which started the year with 71km outstanding and now there is about 37km to go.
A: It is worth noting that over 500km of the 580km highway are already open to traffic, and the final stretches are expected to be finished by the first quarter of 2026. We all must appreciate that we are rehabilitating our road using local financial resources, which alone tells you the level of balancing act the Government has to do in allocating resources among competing national priorities. On the Harare-Beitbridge highway, the Government of Zimbabwe faced several challenges, including: Funding and resource mobilisation — Securing consistent financing has been a major hurdle. Road projects of this scale require significant capital, and budgetary pressures often slow progress.
Contractor capacity and equipment: Contractors initially struggled with mobilising adequate machinery. This led to slower-than-expected progress in certain sections.
Weather and environmental factors: Heavy rains in parts of Masvingo and Mwenezi damaged temporary works and slowed construction, forcing rescheduling of certain phases.
Administrative and coordination issues: Coordination between Government agencies, local authorities and contractors sometimes lagged, causing bottlenecks in approvals and inspections. Inspections are critical for quality control.
These factors, among others, contributed to the slow progress on key infrastructure projects such as the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, emphasising the need for strategic planning and resource management. Given the economic importance of the road to the country and region, completion of the road remains the Government’s priority.
Q: The Second Republic seems to have walked the talk on supporting agriculture, and statistics don’t lie, especially the wheat sub-sector. What has been the secret behind this growth in agricultural output?
A: The growth in Zimbabwe’s agricultural output, particularly the wheat sub-sector, is not by chance, but a mix of deliberate planning, strong Government support, mechanisation, irrigation and strategic partnerships, among other factors.
Government policies: Anchored on the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the Government had forward-looking targets and policies. The country aimed for self-sufficiency in wheat, and prioritisation of local production over imports ensured farmers had guaranteed markets and price stability.
Investments in mechanisation and technology: the strategic partnership with Belarus and Iran, among other countries, made sure farmers have efficient tractors and combine harvesters, which boosted farm production. This, together with good agronomy practices, maximised yields and minimised losses.
Public-private partnerships: Joint ventures between the Government, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and private investors strengthened productivity and resource mobilisation. Contract farming also made sure that farmers are supported with inputs and guaranteed markets, bringing enterprise in wheat production.
Investments in irrigation expansion: The Government invested in the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation schemes across the country, ensuring water availability for wheat production, especially winter wheat. The linking of available water bodies and irrigation schemes was a master stroke in wheat production.
These strategies collectively contributed to revitalising the agricultural sector, particularly in wheat production, marking a significant turnaround.
Q: Acting President, one of your portfolios is the social services cluster, which includes sport, and, in this regard, the Warriors are participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they narrowly lost the opening match to Egypt. However, all home matches during the qualifying stage were away from home, which has displeased fans. Cabinet has since said work on upgrading the National Sports Stadium will be concluded by mid-next year. Can you reassure the nation that indeed the deadline will be met?
A: Your question sounds as if you and your other comrades are the only ones who support the Warriors. We, in Government, are also top supporters of the Warriors and we always follow their matches with keen interest. Turning to the specifics of your question, I will say the Government is committed to ensuring that the upgrade of the National Sports Stadium is completed on schedule. Here are the reassurances regarding this project:
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in his 2026 National Budget, set aside resources for the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to fund key projects, including works at the National Sports Stadium. This will ensure resources are available to minimise delays related to financial constraints.
The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is working closely with CAF inspectors to ensure compliance. While meeting deadlines is crucial, the focus will also be on ensuring that the upgrades meet international standards, providing a top-notch facility for the Warriors and other track and field sports.
Clear milestones have been set, with regular assessments to track progress and ensure that the project is on track for completion by mid-next year. Regular updates will be provided to the public, ensuring transparency and keeping the nation informed about the progress being made. With these and other measures, the Government is confident that the National Sports Stadium upgrade will be completed by mid-2026, ending the costly practice of playing abroad and restoring Zimbabwe’s ability to host international football and ensuring the Warriors can play at home again. Beyond the National Sports Stadium, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion announced a new set of tax incentives (in the 2026 Budget) designed to motivate companies to construct or upgrade sports facilities.
The Government hopes that more of our sports facilities will undergo a facelift.
We should also acknowledge and appreciate efforts by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in constructing multi-purpose sports facilities centres, which support other disciplines such as tennis, basketball, volleyball and netball.
This will open sports to many individuals. When I was still in sport in 1995, we went out of our way to ensure there was adequate infrastructure, including the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza, which I am now told has been run down. So, we need more multi-purpose sports centres for our young people to use and keep them away from drugs. I am not saying this is the solution, but sports will go a long way in reducing this menace of drug and substance abuse.
Q: During the course of this year, you toured Zimbabwe’s liberation war heritage sites in Zambia, Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique. What is the way forward now that you have gained an appreciation of the situation of those sites?
A: The tours provided first-hand appreciation of the state of liberation war heritage sites, and the way forward is a multi-pronged approach: preservation, education, tourism and regional cooperation. This ensures the sacrifices made are honoured — young boys and girls paid the supreme price for our independence — while also turning heritage into a living resource for national unity and development. It must be appreciated, and we must also take blame, that as a country we left these sites in a state of neglect compared to our sister Republics who went through a similar experience to gain independence. Following the trip, the way forward involves several key initiatives around:
Documentation and archiving: Strengthen the recording of oral histories from surviving veterans who trained or lived at these sites and digitise records, photographs and maps to create a comprehensive liberation war archive.
Consolidation of preservation and restoration: This involves ensuring physical upkeep of camps, monuments and gravesites to prevent deterioration, and collaborating with host governments to safeguard sites as shared historical assets. Of note, Zambia and Zimbabwe already have a memorandum of understanding in this regard.
Tourism and cultural diplomacy: Promote heritage tourism by packaging these sites as part of Zimbabwe’s liberation trail.
It is also important to strengthen cultural ties with Zambia, Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique through joint commemorations. Again, Zambia has placed importance on cultural ties emanating from our liberation war heritage, as they have commemorated the Kavalamanja Battle every year, in March, where ZIPRA cadres, Zambian soldiers and villagers lost their lives in the 1978 attack.
To this end, the Working Party on State Occasions and National Monuments has established an inter-ministerial technical team to spearhead the consolidation of the preservation, documentation and integration of these liberation war heritage sites into national memory and development.
We hope that this will achieve a stronger collective memory and pride, youth engagement, heritage-based tourism and general accurate history preservation for future generations. Already, work is underway at Chimoio Shrine in Mozambique, and a plan of action has been developed on how these sites will be immortalised.
Q: Now, Acting President, as we conclude the year and get ready to move into a new one, what is your message to the people in relation to social development, NDS2 and drug and substance abuse among youths?
A: As we draw the curtain on 2025, we reflect on a year of resilience, progress and shared sacrifice. We have faced challenges, yet we have also witnessed remarkable achievements, from the strides in agriculture that secured our food security to the near-completion of the Harare-Beitbridge Highway and the ongoing modernisation of our National Sports Stadium. These milestones remind us that when we work together, nothing is beyond our reach.
Social development: This year has shown us that social development is the backbone of national progress. As a Government, we have expanded access to education, health and housing, and under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), we will intensify efforts to ensure that every Zimbabwean enjoys dignity, opportunity and inclusion.
Our goal is to build communities that are not only economically empowered but also socially cohesive.
Drug and substance abuse among youths: We cannot ignore the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among our young people. This scourge threatens the very foundation of our future. To this end, the Government is strengthening laws and enforcement against traffickers and suppliers. Already, the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill has been tabled in Parliament. The Government is expanding rehabilitation and counselling services for those who have been affected, with the support of organisations such as Angel of Hope and Red Cross, among others.
Looking ahead to 2026 and guided by the National Development Strategy 2, as a Government, among other things, we will continue to strengthen our economy through industrialisation, mining beneficiation and infrastructure development, ensuring that every sector mirrors the success of agriculture.
We will deepen our commitment to social services, expanding access to health, education and sport so that every Zimbabwean feels the impact of national progress.
We will preserve and honour our liberation heritage, ensuring that the sacrifices of our heroes remain a living inspiration for generations to come.
We will also prioritise youth empowerment programmes, ensuring that skills training, innovation hubs and entrepreneurship support are accessible nationwide.
Our social protection systems will be strengthened so that no Zimbabwean is left behind.
Above all, we will foster unity, peace and patriotism, because our strength lies in our togetherness.
Together, under NDS2, we will build a Zimbabwe that is prosperous, inclusive and free from the scourge of drugs and substance abuse.
As the year ends, may it also bring closure to our challenges and open doors to new opportunities.
Let us welcome the future with confidence, faith and an unshakeable belief in our collective potential.
I wish you a peaceful end to 2025 and a hopeful, prosperous new year ahead.
God bless you and God bless the Republic of Zimbabwe.
