Zimbabwe's New Media Policy Green-Lighted: A Key Cabinet Decision

The cabinet was updated on the preparations for the 45th Independence Day festivities and the planned event for the 2025 Children's Party.

The preparations for the 45th Independence Anniversary and the 2025 Children's Party are gaining speed, with the country preparing for these festivities. The primary events will take place on April 18, 2025, at Nembudziya Growth Point within the Gokwe North District of the Midlands Province. Meanwhile, the Children's Party, organized by the First Family, is scheduled for April 17, 2025, at Nyamurori High School.

The contractors have sped up work at the Main Arena and Gokwe North Open Grounds, achieving remarkable progress in various areas such as planting lawns, building terraces, constructing change rooms, installing floodlights, and erecting washroom facilities.

The location for the Children's Party at Nyamuroro High School is currently experiencing significant changes due to the building of two washrooms and two student dormitories, which are nearly finished. As for the projects underway at Nembudziya Government High School on the Gala Site, work has progressed to the point where walls are installed for one restroom facility, two classrooms, a home economics lab, and a senior science lab. The upcoming step will be installing roofs.

Concerning heritage initiatives, the government has implemented both short and long-term strategies focused broadly on the Midlands Province with specific attention to the Gokwe district. For the long term, they have initiated the continuous restoration of highways and associated facilities as part of the Urgent Road Repair Program. In the near future, their goals involve restabilizing and resurfacing key rural thoroughfares leading to and from Nembudziya Expansion Area, aiming for project conclusion before April 17, 2025.

In the Gokwe district, a combined total of 129 boreholes have been drilled so far, including 7 that were constructed specifically at the event location. The plan also includes setting aside a water storage capacity of 60,000 liters for drinking purposes during the celebrations.

Regarding health and wellness, various services have been deployed for the Celebrations, including 10 emergency medical response units; 10 ambulances; one air ambulance, along with emergency supply kits. Additionally, a VIP ward, an isolation center, and 16 telemedicine centers have been set up.

The construction of a morgue and an expansion of a ward have already commenced at Nembudziya Hospital.

In 2025, the Independence Flame’s journey will traverse multiple hubs across Mberengwa, Gweru, Kwekwe, passing near the historic site of the Sikombela former Detention Camp and onward into Gokwe District before concluding at Nembudziya Growth Point. On April 10th, 2025, the flame will arrive at Mutapa Hall where it will be ignited by Vice President Honourable (General) Retired CGDN Chiwenga. Following this ceremony, the torch will continue its tour through every district within the Midlands region until reaching the landmark known as the Sikombela former Restriction Camp on April 17, 2025. At this point, it will be welcomed by another key figure, Vice President Honourable (Colonel) Retired KCD Mohadi. From here, the Independence Flame will make its way to its ultimate endpoint: Nembudziya Growth Point.

Across the heroes' shrines within the Midlands Province, a total of 132 burial sites are currently receiving new concrete slabs. Additionally, work on constructing a field museum and erecting a memorial plinth at the previous location of Sikombela Restriction Camp will conclude before April 17, 2025. Various locations significant during the struggle for independence, including Connemara and Mutapa Hall, have undergone renovations. Furthermore, a cultural village initiative known as VaShangwe Legacy Project will launch at Nembudziya Growth Point in celebration of the nation’s 46th anniversary of independence in Gokwe North District.

ZIMBABWE MEDIA POLICY

The cabinet reviewed and endorsed the Zimbabwe Media Policy.

The goals of this policy include: safeguarding Zimbabwe’s reputation, sovereignty, and borders; fostering a robust and unified digital economy; encouraging the expansion and advancement of a dynamic, varied media sector within Zimbabwe; reshaping Zimbabwe’s media environment via the establishment of cutting-edge, effective, and enduring infrastructures; enhancing professional practices and strengthening the capabilities within the industry; devising and implementing an all-encompassing ethical framework aimed at elevating journalism standards in Zimbabwe.

This policy aims to boost the resilience and longevity of media outlets; foster and embed national values, ethics, and civic responsibility thus encouraging a collective comprehension of Zimbabwe’s past, ambitions, and development goals; safeguard and uphold Zimbabwe's national interests as well as enhance the nation's overall prosperity socially, economically, culturally, and politically.

It aims to uphold and preserve Zimbabwe’s media autonomy so as to ensure the nation's independence and self-governance in creating, distributing, and overseeing media content. Additionally, it seeks to cultivate a linguistically diverse media environment in Zimbabwe, valuing, promoting, and utilizing all officially recognized languages to connect with various audience groups and communities. Furthermore, this initiative will oversee the entire sector, encompassing online broadcast platforms.

The sixth component of this policy focuses on Local Content Promotion, tackling issues like financial limitations, insufficient capabilities among producers, the prevalence of international material, and weak regulatory measures. To encourage domestic content creation and reduce foreign influence, the policy enforces a 75% local content requirement for most broadcasters; however, specialized channels must adhere to a slightly lower threshold at 50%. Furthermore, the strategy includes benefits designed to stimulate local productions, safeguard intellectual property, and enforce rules against excessive foreign programming. It also aims to preserve indigenous culture, adopt new digital technologies, and foster job growth alongside improved communication and accessibility to data.

To concentrate on particular policy areas, thematic working groups will be set up, with the Ministry taking charge of overseeing and executing the Policy.

PROPOSAL FOR ACCESSION TO THE PROTOCOL AMENDING THE CHICAGO CONVENTION BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 BIS

As part of the Legislative Program, the Cabinet reviewed and endorsed accession to the Protocol Amending Article 3BIS of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention).

The aim of this protocol is to prevent the use of weapons against civilian airplanes during flights. In the event of an interception, it should be ensured that the lives of individuals aboard and the safety of the aircraft are not put at risk.

Joining the protocol offers several advantages such as improving aviation safety and security by safeguarding lives, facilitating seamless aircraft operations, providing assurance against unlawful acts, and sustaining public confidence in both the industry and airspace. Through adherence to this protocol, Zimbabwe’s regulatory system will align with the commitments outlined in the Chicago Convention, a key agreement that many advanced countries worldwide have embraced.

REPORTS FOR PROJECTS UP TO DAY 50 DURING THE FIRST 100-DAY PERIOD IN 2025

In the framework of the National Development Strategy’s Digital Economy component, the Minister responsible for Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services outlined several accomplishments within their jurisdiction as follows:

The establishment of a heritage-based educational radio station in Bulawayo Metropolitan has been finalized.

The installation of the Digital Media Asset Management System has been finished, and the configuration process is currently in progress.

The installation at the Garahwa radio transmitter site, along with the seamless power supply integration, and the upgrade of the Radio Zimbabwe FM transmitter are all proceeding smoothly.

The civil work for building the four new radio studios in Montrose, located in Bulawayo, is underway, whereas all necessary equipment for these studios has been acquired and is waiting to be installed.

Regarding the justice delivery system within the Cross-cutting Governance Thematic area of National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs pointed out the following accomplishments under their jurisdiction:

The construction of the new Mutawatawa Magistrate Court has been finished and is awaiting official opening, whereas the Gwanda New Court Complex is almost complete.

The construction of the superstructure up to the ring beam level and subsequent concrete work for the Kwekwe New Magistrate Court in Midlands Province, as well as the development of the superstructure up to the ring beam stage and related concrete activities at the Cowdry Park New Magistrate Court in Bulawayo, are both advancing smoothly.

The rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners via agriculture are advancing successfully.

The Production Projects achieved success at Anju, Mazowe, Mutimurefu, and Hurungwe Prison Farms.

The rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners were effectively carried out via the Building Brigade by engaging in construction activities at Anju, Gwanda, Beit Bridge, and Mutare Prison Farms.

The rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners via the MacDonald Bricks Inmate Employment Program proved effective, as five former inmates have found steady jobs at MacDonald Bricks.

Within the "Human Capital Development" section of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education pointed out several accomplishments within their jurisdiction as follows:

Enrollment of 57 schools nationwide;

The construction of a classroom building at ED Mnangagwa Secondary School in Mutoko District, Mashonaland East Province has reached 80 percent completion.

The construction of the new Gideon Secondary School in Gutu, Masvingo Province, stands at 82% complete. Meanwhile, the development for a section of the newly established Tamuka B Satellite School in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, has reached full completion.

The building of a two-story structure with ten classrooms along with a computer lab at Harare High School located in Mbare, within the Harare Metropolitan Province, has been finished. Meanwhile, work continues on constructing a similar two-story facility and setting up a computer lab at Gangarahwe Primary School situated in Hurungwe, which falls under the Mashonaland East region.

The building of a two-story classroom block at Karori Junior School in Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province is almost finished.

Upgrades at the following educational institutions are well underway: Runyararo Adventist School located in Masvingo within Masvingo Province; Sinoia Primary School situated in Makonde District of Mashonaland West Province; Hozvi Primary along with its Early Childhood Development Center based in Bikita, part of Masvingo Province; Coban Global Primary which can be found in Gweru District under Midlands Province jurisdiction; Mambodzvuku Secondary School positioned in Murehwa District belonging to Mashonaland East Province; Seke 2 High School nestled in Chitungwiza, inside Harare Metropolitan Province; Rusitu High School set in Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province territory; and finally, St. Pauls High School placed in Gokwe South District within the boundaries of Midlands Province.

Construction work on eco-friendly and budget-friendly dormitories is almost finished at these institutions: Progress College located in Gweru of Midlands Province; Gumbonzvanda situated in Hwedza within the borders of Mashonaland East Province; Tafira High found in Murombedzi under Mashonaland West Province jurisdiction; Howard Secondary School in Mazowe which falls under Mashonaland Central Province; as well as both Kadhanya Secondary and Donsa Secondary in Kwekwe, part of Midlands Province; finally, St. Mary’s school in Hwedza, again in Mashonaland East Province.

Regarding the "Youth, Sports, and Culture" sector of the National Development Strategy 1, the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture pointed out several accomplishments within their jurisdiction as follows:

The completion of building a versatile sports facility at Karigamombe in Zvimba District, within the Mashonaland West Province, which will support three different sporting disciplines;

Efforts are underway to fit bucket seats during the renovation of the National Sports Stadium in Warren Park, Harare Metropolitan Province. The VIP section along with bays 19/20 and 21 have already had these new seats installed.

The construction of Nembudziya Stadium in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province is advancing smoothly.

The gymnasium at Warren Park within the Harare Metropolitan Province stands at 80% completion, with plans for its inauguration set for April 2025.

The translation of a concise version of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Capacity Building program into five languages—Venda, Sotho, Tonga, Ndau, and Sign Language—has been finished, and the initiative now waits for the printing and production of brochures.

Efforts for setting up the Victoria Falls Gallery and working on the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Digital Registration Platform are currently underway.

REPORT ON THE SECOND VIRTUAL JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE LEADERS FROM THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC) AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC)

The Cabinet was updated about the Virtual Joint East African Community (EAC) - Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government that took place on March 24, 2025.

The Virtual Joint Summit was led by President Mnangagwa along with Kenyan President and head of the East African Community, Dr. William Ruto. During this summit, they approved the report from the Joint EAC-SADC Ministerial Meeting which took place on March 17, 2025, in Harare. This document included various plans, detailing specific steps to be taken over the short, medium, and long term aimed at fostering enduring stability in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The combined summit designated these five individuals as facilitators for mediating efforts aimed at achieving enduring peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo: His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, ex-President of Kenya; Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, past President of South Africa; Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, previous President of Ethiopia; General Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Mrs. Catherine Samba-Panza, erstwhile President of the Central African Republic.

PEACE AND STABILITY WERE ENSURED AFTER THE UNSUCCESSFUL PROTESTS ON MARCH 31, 2025

The cabinet acknowledged the ongoing peace and calm within the nation following unsuccessful efforts by cyber terrorists, which were thwarted through the actions of law-abiding Zimbabweans and the security sector.

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