Chronicle Editor
Midlands Bureau
ZIMBABWE is on the verge of unprecedented growth and development across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, real estate, roads, and mining, spanning the entire country, districts, and provinces.
This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Edgar Seenza, during a workshop held in Gweru.
The event, organised by the Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT), aimed to share experiences and best practices related to mining-induced displacements in the Midlands province.
Running under the theme “Mining for a Better Future: Best Practices for Mitigating the Effects of Mining-Related Development-Induced Displacements,” the workshop brought together stakeholders from various sectors.
In a speech read on his behalf by Ms Patricia Mpofu, a deputy director in his office, Dr Seenza emphasised that the country’s transformative momentum is driven by the Government’s forward-thinking policies, particularly those outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is on the brink of massive developments in almost all sectors such as agriculture, tourism, real estate, roads, and other infrastructure, and mining, occurring across the country, districts, and provinces, thanks to the policies that the Government continues to put in place,” he said.
Dr Seenza further explained that the Government’s development agenda is transformative and inclusive, with a focus on achieving an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
The devolution process is central to this agenda, providing provinces with the autonomy to plan and prioritise development projects that capitalise on their unique strengths while ensuring that the people remain at the centre of these efforts.
“Across the country, we expect to see an increase in mining and industrial activities, development of infrastructure such as roads and dam construction, as well as the revitalisation and development of irrigation schemes and commercial agriculture,” Dr Seenza noted.
However, he acknowledged that such transformative development requires sound planning and, in some cases, the acquisition of land for development purposes. Dr Seenza emphasised the need to balance economic and social interests, particularly when people utilising land designated for development must relocate.
“This means that some people who are utilising land designated for development will have to pave the way for such projects. In such instances, there is a need to balance economic interests and social interests,” he said.
Dr Seenza stressed that the country’s development agenda aims to be inclusive, ensuring that the livelihoods of all citizens are improved. He called for considerations on how to incorporate affected people into development projects so that they may directly benefit, especially when their sources of livelihood are impacted.
“If their sources of livelihoods are affected, they may need new sources of livelihoods. This requires a holistic approach to development that includes economic, social, and cultural considerations,” he said.
To address these challenges, Dr Seenza pointed to the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy, which suggests the development of a comprehensive compensation and relocation framework, as well as a regularisation protocol to guide such processes and harmonise approaches across the country.
“We want to have critical conversations about the relevant legal and policy frameworks and procedural and administrative guidelines regarding compensation, but also reflect and review the practices and experiences we had with mining-induced displacements,” he said.
Dr Seenza also emphasised the importance of identifying best practices that can guide the country while addressing any challenges and gaps that may arise in the future.
CCMT advocacy officer Mr Tavonga Mutemeri noted that mining has been identified as one of the key sectors projected to support the economic recovery of the country.
However, he acknowledged that the expansion of mining operations has sometimes led to conflicts, particularly when communities are displaced.
“Buoyed by the anchoring of mining as one of the key sectors projected to support the economic recovery of the country, Zimbabwe’s mining industry has undergone significant development in recent years. However, in some cases, the expansion may require communities to pave the way for the development and expansion of mining operations,” he said.
Online Reporter