Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of Cooperatives today, an occasion dedicated to highlighting the achievements of cooperatives and their vital role in fostering inclusive and sustainable development.
The celebrations will take place at Mupamombe Housing Cooperative in Kadoma, Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Province, where the community and stakeholders will gather to reflect on the significant impact of cooperatives in various sectors.
This year’s theme, “Cooperatives driving inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world”, serves as a powerful reminder of the sector’s contribution to building resilient communities and economies.
Emphasising the importance of collaboration and shared goals, this theme resonates deeply with the mission of cooperatives to uplift societies and promote social cohesion.
Addressing the media on commemorating the day in Harare yesterday, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, articulated the essential role cooperatives played in advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Cooperatives are a very crucial part of our efforts to empower communities and drive sustainable development,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted the global recognition of cooperatives by the United Nations, which has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
She affirmed that this declaration underscored the critical role the cooperative sector played in shaping policies that strengthened growth and impact.
“The United Nations’ declaration affirms our commitment to advancing sustainable development through cooperatives, which are at the heart of our communities,” she said.
In Zimbabwe, cooperatives span various sectors, including housing, mining, agriculture and farming.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted the country’s impressive cooperative landscape.
“Zimbabwe proudly hosts over 10 800 registered cooperatives, uniting nearly three million members across vital sectors such as housing, agriculture, finance, retail, mining and services,” she said.
The impact of cooperatives is evident in their contributions to national development.
Since 2000 cooperatives had delivered 210 000 housing units, created 1 300 savings and credit cooperatives that empower unbanked communities, and produced an impressive 80 percent of the nation’s kapenta fish.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the power of cooperatives could not be overemphasised, adding that their action in transforming lives and building a stronger and more inclusive Zimbabwe aligned with the country’s aspirations of becoming an empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
The upcoming celebrations are expected to be vibrant and engaging, featuring a one-day exhibition of cooperative products and services.
The festivities will include cultural performances that celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich heritage, as well as capacity-building sessions focused on cooperative management, financial literacy, value addition, and digitalisation.
Minister Mutsvangwa said proper governance of cooperatives was crucial.
