Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring every Zimbabwean has access to affordable and dignified housing as the nation today commemorated the inaugural National Real Estate Day under the theme “Affordable Housing: A Right for Every
Zimbabwean”.
Speaking on behalf of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, chief director in the ministry Tapiwa Godzi said the day was not only a celebration of professional excellence in the real estate sector but also a reminder of the constitutional
and developmental imperative to guarantee decent shelter for all citizens.
He said that under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), housing delivery has been elevated as a national priority, with the Government pursuing the construction of new housing units and upgrading informal settlements.
“It will restore critical infrastructure in energy, water, and sanitation. This day marks not only a celebration of progress, but a renewed call to action for all stakeholders to champion housing as a cornerstone of national development and social justice,” Minister
Ziyambi said.
Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe (REIZ) vice president, Mrs Progress Sibanda, echoed the theme, stressing that housing must be treated as a fundamental right.
“Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to making decent, affordable housing a reality for every Zimbabwean,” she said.
“This is a goal that lies at the heart of national development and humanity and dignity. Housing is not a privilege, but a right for every Zimbabwean.”
Minister Ziyambi also underscored the role of the Ministry of Justice and the Deeds Registry in safeguarding property rights, ensuring ownership is legally recognised, protected, and transferable.
“Affordable housing is not only about the construction of physical structures, it is about guaranteeing secure tenure, legal ownership, and transparent property records, which are essential for economic empowerment and generational wealth,” he said.
Estate Agents Council chairman Nicodemus Kuipa warned against unregistered operators who defraud unsuspecting home-seekers.
“We have taken initiatives to ensure that members of the public do not lose their hard-earned money to bogus operators.
“We people who engage in bogus property transactions to receive the same treatment as those who steal cattle,” he said.
The commemorations also highlighted the continued collaboration between the Government, REIZ, the Estate Agents Council, and the Valuers Council of Zimbabwe in promoting professionalism, transparency, and consumer protection.
Peter Tanyanyiwa