Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Government’s resilience mechanisms ensured that the country mitigated the effects of one of the worst famines in decades, guaranteeing that no one starved to death in the face of drought last year, in line with President Mnangagwa’s declaration, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Honourable Edgar Moyo has revealed.
Zimbabwe is now anticipating a better farming season this year.
In 2024, Southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe,
Zambia, and Malawi, experienced one of the worst droughts in decades, exacerbated by El Niño.
This led to widespread crop failures, increased livestock mortality rates, food insecurity, and energy crisis.
Buhera in Manicaland was the worst affected district in the country.
The drought in southern Africa, which began early last year, was the worst in decades, prompting Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries to declare a state of disaster due to food shortages.
In his keynote address at the three-day ministry’s Institutional Capacity Assessment Validation and Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop held in Mutare, Minister Moyo said: “As you are all aware, our nation endured a severe drought last year, which was declared a national disaster. I would like to express my profound appreciation to all the organisations that stepped forward during that critical time to ensure our vulnerable communities received adequate support.
“In line with His Excellency, President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa’s declaration that no one will die of hunger, indeed through our collective interventions, no one died of hunger, a testament to the power of unity and collaboration.
“Your dedication to promoting inclusive, sustainable social protection and decent work for all is truly commendable. Together, we are building a resilient society where no one and no place is left behind.
Thank you for your continued service and partnership.”
The theme of the workshop was: “Fostering collaboration for decent work and inclusive sustainable social protection”.
Turning to labour related matters during his address, Minister Moyo underscored the importance of National Employment Councils in promoting fair labour practices.
“National Employment Councils (NECs) embody the spirit of bi-partism, bringing together employers and employees in meaningful dialogue on employment, labour standards, and workers’ rights.
“The ministry places great value on the NECs’ representation of both employers and workers; relying on their input to facilitate collective bargaining, resolving disputes, and ensuring that labour policies reflect real-world dynamics.
“By mediating labour disputes before they escalate into industrial action or legal proceedings, NECs help preserve industrial peace and stability. Your timely interventions significantly ease the Ministry’s workload in sector-specific conflicts, allowing government to concentrate on broader policy development.
“As NECS, you play an indispensable role in ensuring that labour policies are not only well-crafted but also understood, accepted, and effectively implemented across the nation. As the ministry prepares to develop its Strategic Plan 2026-2030, the input, insights and thoughts of NECs are very important,” he said.
Over the past year, the ministry conducted a comprehensive Institutional Capacity Assessment, spanning from district offices to head office.
“Far from a routine exercise, this assessment served as a reflective mirror, allowing us totake stock of our strengths, identify gaps, and identifying opportunities for reform.
“Institutional capacity is the cornerstone of effective governance and performance of the ministry. Without it, even the most well-crafted policies risk falling short.
“The insights gained from this assessment provide a strategic roadmap to enhance human capital, streamline operations, and elevate service delivery across all levels of our ministry,” said Minister Moyo.
