President to deliver State of the Nation Address

Harare Bureau
President Mugabe today delivers the State of the Nation Address in Parliament expected to centre on the country’s achievements, challenges and the way foward.

The address was supposed to have been delivered last Thursday but was deferred after President Mugabe flew to Cuba to pay his respects following the demise of that country’s founding President, Commandante Fidel Castro Ruz.

President Mugabe will address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate. Millions of Zimbabweans are expected to follow proceedings live on national television.

By late yesterday, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation outside broadcasting van was already at Parliament building warming up for the yearly event.

The President uses the platform to inform the nation on the socio-economic and political situation in the country.

President Mugabe is expected to tackle various issues of national importance. He is expected to to speak on the recent introduction of the bond notes, among other issues.

The bond notes were introduced to arrest the cash crisis and to stimulate exports through provision of a five percent incentive to exporters. They are also meant to help arrest foreign currency leakages.

The President is also expected to give an update on command agriculture where Government is providing inputs for farmers to boost production.

At least 19 600 farmers have received inputs so far. An estimated 163 865 hectares of land have been put under contract with 75 percent already having been tilled.