OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE: THE LATE MR DOUGLAS MUNATSI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ZIMBABWE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Chief Secretary, Dr Misheck J.M. Sibanda, Deputy Chief Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Chief Directors and staff in the Office of the President and Cabinet join His Excellency the President, the Civil Service, the corporate world and the entire nation in mourning Mr Douglas Munatsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA).

It was with a deep sense of shock and disbelief that news of the untimely and tragic passing on of Mr Munatsi in as yet unclear circumstances filtered through to all of us in the early morning of 29th November, 2021. At age 52, the renowned former banker, farmer and entrepreneur of unparalleled business acumen has indeed departed too soon. As the inaugural CEO of ZIDA, Cde Munatsi had set himself on a path to lead a critical component of His Excellency the President, Comrade Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's mantra on private sector-led economic growth and transformation towards the attainment of Vision 2030.

His prowess as a leading team player is evidenced by his critical contributions that have resulted in progress in the area of investment as demonstrated in the various programmes undertaken by Government. Of late are the ongoing Expo Dubai in 2020, the recent COP 26 Conference, and the Intra-Africa Trade Fair at which the ZIDA – hosted Zimbabwe pavillion won two awards, resulting in a number of deals being clinched by participating private sector companies.

The numerous Public Private Partnership investment projects across various sectors, from which the nation had started to reap immense benefits, are testimony of the commitment, energy and passion of a humble and gifted interlocutor who shall be sorely missed by the Leadership of Government, its Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and his business associates within Zimbabwe, in the SADC Sub-region and beyond.

As an office, we were looking forward to interacting with him at our annual Strategic Management Workshop later this week, which brings together the top management of the Office of the President and Cabinet and Government to reflect on performance of not only the Office and Government, but the economy in general. It is at that function that the Office was going to tap into his knowledge and experience this far as we develop strategies to deal with challenges affecting Government and the People as well as emerging issues.

May the Munatsi family draw solace from the knowledge that we share their grief, and may the Lord Almighty grant them the strength to cope with the unexpected loss of a family pillar.

May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.