WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP

Monday

Zimbabwe’s mission to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030 will be realised by 2028, two years ahead of schedule, President Mnangagwa has said. Writing in his weekly column published in The Sunday Mail, the President said he was optimistic the country would expedite the “foundational and phenomenal” development being experienced on all fronts.

Tuesday

President Mnangagwa has reiterated the need to unlock vast economic potential from the country’s innovation centres, saying, with adequate private sector support, they could be incubators of vibrant industrial hubs needed to drive massive economic transformation.

While Government has set the tone for comprehensive national development, in line with targets set out under Vision 2030, the President has implored private sector players to do their part and not be bystanders.

Wednesday

President Mnangagwa on Tuesday outlined 29 Bills as part of the legislative agenda of the 10th Parliament of Zimbabwe, which will help facilitate the implementation of programmes and projects that will enhance people’s livelihoods.

Officially opening the First Session of the 10th Parliament, the Head of State and Government challenged legislators to put all hands on deck, particularly as there is a lot of work that lies ahead.

Thursday

As the battle against drug and substance abuse intensifies, Cabinet made an undertaking to convert idle provincial Covid-19 isolation centres into rehabilitation centres.

It has also decided to mobilise more resources and appoint Dr Agnes Mahomva as the national coordinator of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse.

Speaking on Wednesday after the second Cabinet meeting since President Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second term, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet has agreed to put in place stringent measures to strengthen the anti-drug and substance abuse programme.

Friday

South Africa is getting some lessons from Zimbabwe on how to modernise its border infrastructure in the same way

President Mnangagwa spearheaded the Beitbridge Border Post facelift in order to improve movement of people, goods and services.

This comes as the region is moving towards integrating border management systems as part of implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which, inter alia, seeks to eradicate various forms of red tape hindering trade, investment and the movement of persons.

On Thursday, President Mnangagwa met his South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa — first on the South African side and then later on the Zimbabwean side — for a familiarisation tour that President Mnangagwa said should be the norm to enhance people-to-people relations between the two countries, which are separated by Limpopo River.