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  • Historic: ZTA set to convene first AGM as govt deepens parastatal reforms

    Historic: ZTA set to convene first AGM as govt deepens parastatal reforms

    By Nigel Pfunde

    HARARE — The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority will hold its inaugural Annual General Meeting on June 17, marking a major institutional milestone that mirrors growing momentum behind Government’s parastatal reform agenda and efforts to strengthen accountability in public entities.

    The virgin meeting comes as Government implements reforms under President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an empowered upper-middle-income economy through National Development Strategy 2, with emphasis on corporate governance, transparency and performance management.

    “The convening of this meeting is timely as it continues with implementation of the Public Entities Corporate Governance framework, reinforced through the Corporate Governance Unit and Results Based Management systems designed to improve efficiency and accountability within public institutions,” an industry player said.

    In 2019, President Mnangagwa warned underperforming State enterprises against complacency, urging a culture of stewardship. Following legacy challenges, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi revitalised the Authority, leading to the appointment of a new board chaired by Mr Farai Chimba in December 2025. The board subsequently appointed Dr George Munyaradzi Manyaya as Chief Executive Officer effective February 1, 2026.

    ZTA board chair Farai Chimba

    The Authority recently released its First Quarter 2026 infographic showing growth in tourist arrivals, receipts and investment inflows.

    “This positive momentum comes amid increasing recognition for the sector’s leadership, with Minister Rwodzi recently receiving recognition among leading women achievers and being honoured among the country’s best-performing ministers, and that is healthy for ZTA when the line minister is performing to the zenith,” said another industry player who operates safaris in the Lowveld.

    Zimbho: Tourism minister Barbara Rwodzi pictured with ZTA chief executive Dr George Manyaya celebrating a double award victory at ITB Berlin festival recently

    Under Government’s heritage-based tourism drive, ZTA has intensified compliance inspections targeting unlicensed operators to safeguard standards and revenue streams.

    According to a ZTA notice, the AGM

    “will focus on strengthening governance, accountability and institutional performance through the consideration and adoption of key corporate, financial and compliance reports covering the 2023–2024 period.”

    It further states that Ordinary business includes the Chairperson’s remarks, CEO’s Report, Financial Report, Governance and Compliance Report, Auditor’s Report, ratification of auditor’s fees, and board fees. Minister Rwodzi is expected to deliver a ministerial statement.

    “The meeting will provide stakeholders an opportunity to review organisational performance, reinforce corporate governance compliance and align expectations for the ensuing year as the Authority continues implementing reforms aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s tourism sector,” further reads part of the notice.

    Industry experts said the meeting is a great leap forwars towards institutional renewal.

    “This inaugural AGM is more than a governance milestone. It represents a critical step in institutional renewal under Minister Rwodzi’s stewardship, positioning the Authority under chairperson Farai Chimba and CEO Dr Manyaya to advance tourism as a strategic pillar for Zimbabwe’s economic transformation,” Takaendesa Fundira an industry player.

  • Govt injects fresh capital to boost mine safety as Minister Kambamura declares “Zero Harm Non-Negotiable”

    Govt injects fresh capital to boost mine safety as Minister Kambamura declares “Zero Harm Non-Negotiable”

    By Nyasha Chuma

    HARARE – Government has committed significant new financial resources to strengthen mine safety enforcement nationwide, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Dr. Polite Kambamura announced while addressing the Inspectors of Mines Workshop in Harare Monday

    Kambamura said Treasury has released funding to equip and capacitate the national Inspectorate of Mines, and emphasized that “no mineral wealth is worth a single Zimbabwean life.” The intervention comes as the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector recorded 64 fatalities between January and March 2026.

    Government is procuring modern safety audit kits, vehicles and protective gear for all provincial inspectorate offices to improve rapid response and site inspections. The funding package also covers recruitment and specialised training of additional mine safety inspectors to close enforcement gaps in high-risk districts.

    A digital compliance tracking system is being rolled out to monitor ASM operations and flag unsafe sites in real time.

    Minister Kambamura directed inspectors to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach, stressing that the financial injection must translate into measurable reductions in accidents.

    “The State is investing in life. Inspectors must enforce compliance without fear or favour,” he said.

    The Ministry confirmed the resources form part of Government’s push to ensure mining growth is anchored on worker safety, with further disbursements earmarked in the 2026/2027 budget cycle.

  • National Sports Stadium reopens to applause….but ablution facilities draw criticism

    National Sports Stadium reopens to applause….but ablution facilities draw criticism

    Sports Reporter

    HARARE – The newly refurbished National Sports Stadium hosted its first match on Sunday, with Scottland beating Caps United 2-0 in a high-profile encounter.

    While the Sports and Recreation Commission has overseen significant infrastructure upgrades at the facility, the configuration of the ablution blocks has sparked public outcry.

    The Commission has completed positive renovations across the stadium, including pitch improvements and structural enhancements aimed at meeting international standards. However, attention has quickly turned to the toilet facilities, which users have condemned as substandard.

    “Our National Sports Stadium toilets look like they belong in a prison,” journalist Adam Theo wrote on X, voicing a sentiment echoed by several match-day attendees.

    The Sports and Recreation Commission has yet to respond to the complaints regarding the ablution setup. The stadium’s reopening marks a key step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to revive its sporting infrastructure though the toilet controversy threatens to overshadow the refurbishment gains.

  • Cultivating a connected future for Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector

    Cultivating a connected future for Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector

    By Lorreta Songola

    LIKE many others, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is under increasing pressure. Climate variability, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and limited access to modern infrastructure continue to challenge farmers in a country where agriculture anchors the economy, contributing around 17% of GDP, about 40% of exports, and supporting the livelihoods of nearly 60–70% of Zimbabwe’s population.

    For many farmers, the difference between profit and loss depends on access to timely information, including weather data, crop health indicators, irrigation timers, and market prices. Against this backdrop, digital technologies from providers like Liquid Intelligent Technologies –that offer various solutions around connectivity, cloud, AI, and cyber security – are emerging as one of the most powerful tools for modern agriculture.

    Across Africa, these technologies are already delivering measurable impact. For example, Liquid has supported agribusiness platforms such as Kenya’s Twiga Foods, where IoT-enabled logistics and monitoring systems have helped optimise supply chains and reduce operational costs by up to 30%. Liquid’s IoT connectivity is also enabling aquaculture farmers to monitor water quality and pond conditions remotely, helping improve fish production and reduce losses. These examples demonstrate how connectivity and real-time data can transform agricultural productivity when the right digital infrastructure is in place.

    Connectivity is the foundation of data-driven farming

    Reliable internet access is becoming as essential to modern farming as fertiliser or irrigation.

    In Zimbabwe, where agriculture is largely rain-fed and highly exposed to weather fluctuations, access to climate and market data helps farmers respond quickly to changing conditions. Connected farms use IoT sensors to monitor soil moisture, irrigation systems, and crop health in real time. A soil sensor placed in a maize field, for example, can alert a farmer when moisture drops below a critical level. Farm managers view this data through mobile dashboards and adjust their methods accordingly.

    Connectivity also links farmers to market intelligence. Digital platforms provide real-time updates on commodity prices and buyer demand. For farmers producing for commercial markets, this visibility helps them time sales, negotiate better prices, and reduce supply chain losses.

    Even basic connectivity delivers value. In areas where smartphones are not common, SMS-based alerts deliver weather warnings and soil management advice directly to farmers’ phones, ensuring information still reaches rural communities.

    Turning farm data into decisions

    Once farms are connected, the next step is using the data effectively. In practice, this can be surprisingly simple. Cloud platforms enable farmers and agricultural organisations run advanced digital tools without the need for expensive on-site infrastructure. Satellite monitoring tools like the Zimbabwean government’s EOSTAT platform analyse large volumes of agricultural data quickly and cheaply, and trained AI can recommend exactly when and where to apply water, fertiliser, and pesticides, reducing costs while improving yields.

    Digital agriculture is already proving its value globally. Precision agriculture tools can increase yields by 20–30% by enabling farmers to act on real-time data rather than estimates. Farmers still make the decisions; digital tools give them better information.

    Digital farms must also be secure

    As agriculture becomes more connected, cyber security becomes an important part of the equation. Modern farms exchange data with many third parties, from buyers to logistics providers, banks, and agritech platforms. Without proper protection, data breaches or manipulation are very real threats.

    Zimbabwe recognised this risk with the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021, which established legal requirements for safeguarding digital information and protecting personal data handled by organisations and platforms, including agriculture stakeholders.

    For farmers, compliance protects sensitive operational and financial data and builds trust across the agricultural supply chain.

    Skills and collaboration matter as much as infrastructure

    The success of these technologies depends on people knowing how to use them. Many farmers are highly experienced producers but have limited exposure to digital systems. Closing this gap requires targeted training and accessible platforms and devices. Across Zimbabwe, digital hubs and programmes are helping farmers learn how to use the many digital tools available to them.

    Digital agriculture also depends on collaboration. Connectivity providers, cloud partners, and technology innovators such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies play a critical role as ecosystem enablers, ensuring that the digital backbone required for modern agriculture is accessible to farmers in both urban and rural communities.

    Agriculture remains the livelihood of millions across the continent. Ensuring that farmers can access connectivity, digital tools, and data-driven insights is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient digital economy that leaves no African behind.

    By Lorreta Songola, is the CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Zanu PF returnee defies party directive,plays host to unauthorised sports gala

    Zanu PF returnee defies party directive,plays host to unauthorised sports gala

    Political  Reporter

    Harare-VACCILATING politician and Zanu PF returnee Shadreck Mashayamombe is in the eye of a storm.

    The fickle politician has served as Zanu PF Harare South MP before defecting to MDC Alliance where he contested incumbent MP Hon Tongai Mnangagwa but  lost in the 2018 .

    This time, he has been accused of insubordination after allegedly flouting a provincial party directive by providing a venue and proceeding with a youth sports programme in Churu constituency on Saturday, a move that drew the attention of anti-riot police,Express Mail Zim can report.

    The event, held at Mashayamombe’s Canterbury School, was billed as a belated Africa Day sports gala aimed at supporting sports infrastructure and grassroots development.

    However, earlier in the week, Harare Provincial Chairman Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa issued a directive ordering all affiliate organisations to immediately suspend individual programmes and channel full resources into a massive grassroots mobilisation drive targeting over 600 000 party members ahead of National Cell Day Commemorations.

    Despite the clear instruction, Mashayamombe did not lock his gates and allegedly gave a nod to organisers to proceed with the gathering, prompting police intervention to disperse attendees.

    Party insiders noted that Mashayamombe and his crew could have simply applied for a waiver to the provincial leadership to be exempted and go ahead to host the sporting gala, rather than outrightly defying the party directive which is an act of insubordination.

    “Well, one affiliate, ZimSports4ED, had a brilliant initiative which however coincided with preparations for the National Cell Day and the provincial party directive to halt all affiliates’ provincial programmes,” said a senior party official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

    “The party law and directives need to be followed because they are reached after wide consultation with the national organ and relevant party authorities. So for you to then bless and play host providing venue to an illegal event is tantamount to breach of provincial party directives, which sows seeds of division in the party, and that cannot be tolerated.”

    The official referred this reporter to Provincial Commissar Cde Voyager Dambuza or Vice Chairman Cde Ephraim Fundukwa for further comment. Both could not be reached at the time of writing, with Cde Dambuza passing the phone to someone who said he was driving to the funeral wake of the mother of Cde Masimirembwa and could not talk.

     

    Mashayamombe’s phone went unanswered, but his close loyalists defended the decision to go ahead despite the ban.

    “My friend, a lot of resources were pulled in preparing for this sports gala, and cdes from ZimSports4ED ran around seeking support from the corporate world. Two days before the event, you then get a directive to halt all this effort. We need to empathise with the children who were meant to participate,” said a Ushewokunze resident who identified himself only as Cde Tyson.

    “More still, Shaddy (Mashayamombe) only provided his grounds at the school. How could he have locked his gates?”

    Meanwhile, residents in Churu constituency said Mashayamombe was strategically plotting to regain his hold on Harare South constituents through social service provisions, including using his school as a tool.