Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
Harare – In his closing remarks at the final Cabinet meeting of 2024, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa commended his Ministers for their hard work and achievements over the past year, while outlining a bold vision and priorities for the government in 2025.
Speaking at the State House, President Mnangagwa described 2024 as a “success,” with the government making “notable headway in our people-centered national development agenda.” He highlighted the government’s efforts to craft, review, and implement impactful policies, programs, and projects aimed at fulfilling the collective aspirations of Zimbabwean citizens.
“In a nutshell, the 2024 Cabinet Calendar was a success, with its robust and frank deliberations,” the President said. “Guided by the principle of collective responsibility, it was pleasing that as Ministers, you rose above your respective sectoral interests, in favor of objectivity and the common national good, with coordination being more seamless.”
However, President Mnangagwa stressed the need for more disciplined attendance and participation from Ministers and senior officials at Cabinet meetings. He warned that the “worrisome tendency” of Ministers and officials to be absent or send junior representatives would no longer be tolerated.
“Cabinet processes are anchored on the timely submission of vital documents and regular attendance by Ministers and Officials,” the President said. “The worrisome tendency by Ministers and Senior Officials to absent themselves from meetings is untenable.”
Looking ahead to 2025, President Mnangagwa announced that the Chief Secretary will be directed to “strictly monitor individual attendance and ensure that errant Ministers and Officials toe the line or risk dire consequences.” He also revealed that Deputy Ministers will now be required to sign performance contracts to enhance their involvement in government business.
Reflecting on Zimbabwe’s successful hosting of the recent SADC Summit, the President expressed his gratitude to the Cabinet, stating, “I am profoundly grateful to you all for the planning and hard work exhibited during the preparatory stages and the actual hosting of the events. Well done.”
Addressing pressing issues, President Mnangagwa commended stakeholders in the health sector for their efforts to combat the cholera outbreak earlier in the year, while cautioning that the “lingering threat of cholera and Mpox, among other public health emergencies, will be cautiously monitored.”
On the economic front, the President acknowledged the revision of growth projections due to the negative impact of the El Nino-induced drought on agricultural output, but expressed optimism that fiscal and monetary reforms would “increasingly underpin currency stability and usher economic rebound.”
Regarding the energy sector, President Mnangagwa emphasized the need to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, particularly solar, by both companies and households, stating, “More campaigns should be mounted to encourage our people, in both rural and urban areas to adopt renewable energy for domestic use.”
The President also praised the progress made by local authorities in developing Master Plans and improving service delivery, while expressing concern over persistent cases of corruption in the sector. He lauded the Harare City Council’s decision to transfer waste disposal and management to private entities, calling for the model to be replicated in other local authorities.
Stressing the importance of the government’s decentralization and devolution agenda, President Mnangagwa noted that modernization and development indicators across Zimbabwe’s provinces and districts “undoubtedly speak to the ongoing success of our Decentralisation and Devolution agenda.”
Addressing the digital transformation of government, the President acknowledged the “worryingly slow” pace of progress, stating, “It is a misnomer that with the abundant ICTs skills and capacities among young people, our Government has only a few functional and up-to-date Ministry websites.” He called for immediate improvements in government communication and digital service delivery.
As the Cabinet takes a well-deserved break, President Mnangagwa emphasized that the government’s service delivery obligations to the people of Zimbabwe must continue during the holiday season. He thanked the Cabinet members for their tireless efforts throughout the year and wished them a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
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