Cabinet considered and adopted the update report on preparations for the 44th Session of the SADC Summit, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President, General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on SADC Summit Preparations.
Zimbabwe will host the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government and assume the Chairmanship of SADC on 17th August, 2024. The Summit will be hosted at the New Parliament Building in the New City at Mt. Hampden. The nation is advised that a week prior to the Summit, the country will host the SADC Industrialisation Week.
The Vice President, Honourable General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwengwa is coordinating the preparations for hosting the Summit.
Accordingly, three (3) Inter-Ministerial Committees, embracing all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, were established to spearhead the preparations.
The Committees are as follows: (a) Sub-Committee on Finance and Agreement, which is responsible for overseeing the financing of the whole preparatory programme (b) Sub-Committee on Construction, to develop the requisite hosting facilities and the enabling infrastructure; and (c) Sub-Committee on Communication, Brand Promotion and Publicity, which is responsible for disseminating information about Zimbabwe’s hosting of the SADC Summit and manage SADC monitoring and evaluation visits relating to the preparedness of the country to host the SADC Summit.
In terms of preparations for the Summit, the Government of Zimbabwe has put in place measures to provide accommodation for all guests and participants.
Landscaping, rehabilitation and construction of access roads to the venue of the Summit are ongoing. The landscaping works are 58% complete, while the civil works are 67% complete. The Public Works Department is constructing a 2.8 mega litre water tank which is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Meanwhile, the City of Harare is installing bio-digesters for managing waste-water. The Municipality will also repair and upgrade traffic signals at key intersections on routes leading to the SADC Summit venue and hotels to be utilized by delegates around the City, as well as ensuring that street lights are working.
In terms of rehabilitation of main access roads, Cabinet informs the nation that three (3) main packages under this programme which are being undertaken are as follows:
(a) the Harare-Chirundu Section from Julius Nyerere Street to 2nd Street-Lomagundi Road to Westgate Traffic Circle;
(b) the Harare-Kanyemba Section from Harare Drive to intersection with the New Parliament Boulevard; and (c) the New Parliament Boulevard, New Parliament Loop Road, Access Roads and Old Mazowe Road.
In addition, a number of selected roads from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the City Centre and the access roads leading to the main access roads to the New Parliament, are being rehabilitated.
The nation is further informed that the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services is coordinating provision of infrastructure to meet SADC Information Communication Technology requirements and facilitate a seamless flow of meetings and sessions during the Summit.
Proposed 2024 winter cereals production plan
Cabinet received and adopted the Proposed 2024 Winter Cereals Production Plan which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Zimbabwe has comparative advantage producing wheat rather than maize or sorghum in winter. Accordingly, a total of 120 000 hectares have been targeted for wheat production during the 2024 winter cereal production season, compared to the 90 912 hectares planted in 2023.
The total production is estimated as 624 000 metric tonnes, against a national requirement of 360 000 metric tonnes annually.
The hectarage will be financed through Banks; the Presidential Input Scheme; ARDA (Estates + Joint Ventures); the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA); and self-financing.
Farmers are being advised that the country has enough wheat seed and chemicals, some fertilisers and chemicals in stock for the 2024 winter cereals production season. The deficit in fertiliser requirements has to be met through imports. There is enough water in the country’s dams for the winter cereals production programme.
In terms of mechanisation, there is enough capacity to adequately and timeously till the 120 000 hectares.
Cabinet also approved an incentive planning price of US$440 per metric tonne for wheat, and a planning price of US$360/mt for maize/sorghum.
These viable producer prices should incentivise farmers to commit more land to wheat production. Government encourages all farmers with available irrigation and land to contribute to national efforts to produce a bumper wheat crop as part of the national strategy to ensure food security.
The national cholera outbreak response
The Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Paul Mavima updated Cabinet on the national cholera outbreak response.
Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases are 29 144. The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to conduct integrated training in case management, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and social mobilization for Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland West Provinces in order to augment staff already trained.
Known hotspots are being targeted with community awareness and the deployment of oral rehydration points and establishment of cholera treatment camps.
Furthermore, the Ministry is working with Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust in training Interfaith Leaders in Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces, with the objective to strengthen actions to address collaborative and collective initiatives in the response to the cholera and polio outbreaks.
Cabinet noted with concern that some churches continue to gather in places without safe water or sanitation facilities.
His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has since directed that solarized water facilities and borehole should be installed in order to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation at Karuyana Shrine among other sites.
In light of the impending Easter Holidays, Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Health and Child Care to intensify monitoring and supervision of all gatherings in order to minimize the spread of cholera.
Cabinet further directed that, going forward, no church gatherings must take place until church leaders install solar powered boreholes or bush pump boreholes as well as sanitation facilities.
All gatherings must obtain prior clearance and should be supervised by health authorities.
2024 Independence Day anniversary celebrations
Cabinet considered and adopted the update report on preparations for the 2024 Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Children’s Party, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President, K.C.D. Mohadi as Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that significant preparatory works for the 2024 Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Children’s Party have been undertaken at the venue and on road infrastructure leading to the venues of the events.
These are as follows: the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge, the Chivhu-Nyazura, Mushandirapamwe-Wedza, Wedza-Mutiweshiri, Marange Shrine, Gutu-Matimba and Gutu-Kurai as well as other local roads linking to the venue.
A Business Exhibition Programme for all Local Authorities, youths, women, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, small businesses, local and from outside the province, will be running along the 2024 Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
The platform will accord the exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their achievements in business, covering the period since the attainment of independence in 1980.
Zimbabwe international trade fair
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Ngobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, presented the Update on Preparations for the 2024 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair scheduled for 23 to 27 April, 2024 in Bulawayo.
Preparations for the 2024 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair are on track, with infrastructure refurbishment already underway and expected to be completed by 20 April, 2024. The 64th Edition Fair, which will be private sector-led, will run under the theme “Innovation: The Catalyst for Industrialisation and Trade”. The fair will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto.
A total of 466 direct exhibitors had registered to participate as at 21 March, 2024, with 65 exhibiting for the first time. Ninety-six per cent or 47 425 square metres out of the net space available or 49 499 square metres have been taken up.
Twenty-five international exhibitors from 21 countries, namely: Belarus; the People’s Republic of China; the European Union; France; Germany; Italy; Iran; Japan; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Netherlands; Nigeria; Romania; South Africa; South Korea; Sweden; the United Kingdom; the United States of America and Zambia have confirmed attendance. The international exhibits will cut across several sectors.
Cabinet highlights that the main activities at the 2024 ZITF will comprise the following:
- the ZITF Welcome Cocktail;
- the ZITF International Business Conference on 24 April, which will be graced and officially opened by Vice President General (Rtd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga
- the ZITF Charity Golf Challenge, ZITF Diplomats Forum, Connect Africa Symposium and the Tourism Night which will be held on 25 of April.
- The ZITF Diplomats Forum will be held under the theme “Fostering Economic Partnerships through Entrepreneurship”, while the theme for the Connect Africa Symposium will be “Entrepreneurial Africa: Routes to Sustainable Progress”.
- The Symposium will be officially opened by Hon. Vice President (Rtd) Cde. K.C.D. Mohadi
- the Official Opening Ceremony and the ZNCC Business Luncheon will be on 26 April;
- Public Days will be held on 26 and 27
There will also be a two-day ZITF Innovators Forum for young innovators and entrepreneurs in Africa.
The five-day ZITF Scholastica Expo 2024 event will focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership for students in the country.
As part of capacity building, the ZITF Company will offer value-added services to both exhibitors and visitors as well as exhibition training to exhibitors for the best possible return on investment.
Extra-ordinary double troika summit of heads of state
Cabinet received and adopted the Report on the Extra-Ordinary Double Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government Plus Troop Contributing Countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Mozambique which was held in Lusaka, Zambia, on 23 March, 2024.
The Report was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Frederick Shava.
The Summit considered the security situation in the DRC and Mozambique.