Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address in full

To entrench the work ethic of the Second Republic and the culture of accountability, all our Permanent Secretaries signed Performance Contracts in December, 2020. At the end of 2021, the inaugural evaluation of the contracts will be conducted. In January 2022, all heads of State Owned Enterprises, parastatals as well as local authorities will be required to sign similar contracts in order to guarantee that our citizens enjoy value for money.

In furtherance of our re-engagement drive, our country continues on its quest to be “a friend to all”, within the community of nations. Zimbabwe continues to seek new frontiers for investment and trade. We are thus participating at the “Dubai Expo 2021” which is running until March, 2022.

In addition to such initiatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade along with other ministries, departments and agencies also host trade and investment promotion events, in line with my administration’s economic diplomacy thrust.

I want to heartily commend all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora for their patriotism and contribution towards the national development agenda and building our mother country.

Mr. Speaker Sir, Madame President,

Allow me now to shift focus to the legislative Agenda for the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament. I am aware that some Bills could not be dispensed with and were carried over from the Third Session. Of the existing statutes which required to be aligned to the Constitution, it is pleasing that only 42 statutes remain to be enacted under the alignment process. These must be completed during this session.

Thirteen Bills are still with the respective line Ministries, of these, the Principles of two Bills have been approved by Cabinet, while eleven are still with Ministries. The Second Republic will continue to maintain its responsive and proactive stance to emerging needs of our society by ensuring that the law is a tool for development.

The ratification of agreements is equally important. Hence, my Government submitted the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination State Party Report to the UN Treaty Body and is on schedule to submit the 3rd Cycle Universal Periodic Report to the UN Human Rights Council.

The Second Republic is also committed to ratifying all outstanding Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. Furthermore, Parliament is also expected to ratify the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation.

In the health sector, this Session is expected to expedite consideration of the Medical Services Amendment Bill; the Medical Aid Societies Bill; and the Health Professions Amendment Bill. These should result in a consolidated legislative strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage, enhanced access and affordable health services.

Parliament will equally consider the Amendment of the State Universities Statutes Bill which seeks to amend the Acts governing the thirteen State Universities, to align with the Constitution and enhance conformity with the Heritage Based Education 5.0 policy. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill will see further liberalisation of the broadcasting sector.

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