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Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau

Excellence is not an option but a guaranteed necessity to propel the country’s national development agenda, hence all Cabinet Ministers should recommit to the duty of transforming Zimbabweans’ livelihoods, President Mnangagwa has said.

In his opening address at the first meeting of the 2025 Cabinet Year held at State House yesterday, the President charged his team to prioritise outcomes that positively affect the lives of the general citizenry.
All Zimbabweans, including those in the diaspora, he added, should be well catered for.

“At the outset, all members are reminded of the need to once again recommit ourselves to the duty of transforming livelihoods and developing our great nation towards the achievement of Vision 2030.
“The mandate before us is clear: we must deliver quality services to our citizens, ensuring that their needs are met and lives improved.

“All our collective efforts should be geared towards creating a better future for all, leaving no one and no place behind. In this pursuit, it is critically important to engage with our people, listening to their concerns and responding to their needs.

“The culture of accountability, transparency and excellence within our Ministries should be nurtured with a greater sense of urgency for the ultimate objective of achieving transformational results. You must lead by example.

“We must serve all our people from across all the four corners of our country including those in the diaspora” he said.
President Mnangagwa reiterated that all Cabinet meetings must be attended without fail.
Where Ministers fail to attend due to approved reasons, they should delegate authority to Deputy Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, who should submit their Ministerial positions thereat.

“In the same vein, Cabinet Members should ensure that Permanent Secretaries attend Working Party Meetings and brief them ahead of Cabinet Committee Meetings.

“As I stated at the closing meeting of 2024 attendance at Cabinet Committee and Working Party meetings will form part of the performance evaluation criteria.

“While members are required to be abreast with programme implementation at the community level through regular field visits, these should not disrupt and unduly affect workflow in our provinces and districts,” he said.

The President said he demanded boldness and decisiveness in the execution of Ministers’ duties.
“I urge all of us to remain aware that ours is a selfless service to the people of our great motherland Zimbabwe.

“I challenge us to undertake our work with utmost humility, sacrifice and commitment. Cabinet is run on the basis of collective responsibility; we must pull in one direction. There is no room for lethargy, fence sitting and dragging of feet,” he said.
Performance contracting, said President Mnangagwa, remained a vital cog in the Second Republic’s strategy to enhance service delivery and drive the attainment of Vision 2030.

As such, he announced that, Deputy Ministers must now also sign performance contracts as part of Government’s endeavour to enhance accountability and efficiency.

“…this year will see us strengthen our focus on measurable outcomes, timely execution of policies, and responsiveness to the needs of our citizens.

“I have directed that Deputy Ministers should also sign performance contracts as part of our endeavour of accountability and efficiency.

“Every Ministry, Department, and Agency must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and servant leadership. Excellence is not an option; but a guaranteed necessity to propel our national development agenda.

“Let us, therefore, approach 2025 with renewed vigour, guided by our shared vision of progress, prosperity, and people-centred governance,” said President Mnangagwa.

On the economic growth front, the President said emphasis should be put towards ensuring that business is not hindered by prohibitive regulations as well as punitive administrative licenses and fees required by Ministries.
Fees, licences, permits and regulations, he added, should instead promote economic development and improve the livelihoods of Zimbabweans.

“To enhance the overall performance of our economy, the Ease of Doing Business Agenda continues to be an important aspect of our programming.

“In that regard, concerted efforts must be made to revisit all the areas that hinder the start or growth of all investments, whether local or foreign. I commend the entrepreneurial spirit among our people. By nature, Zimbabweans are hardworking,” he said.

SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa

Going forward, President Mnangagwa said there would be no tolerance for corruption.
The awarding of Government projects and business should be one merit, he said.

“As we progress with our work in the year ahead, merit and performance must be the basis for awards of Government projects and business.

“Chicanery, manipulation of processes and outright corruption of any kind, will not be tolerated within Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Ministers are therefore directed to maintain an interest and oversight role over their span of control.

“Always ensure value for money in the implementation of programmes and projects as well as in procurement processes. By the same token, the appointment of persons into public sector boards must be based on merit, competence and the requisite experience,” he said.

On Agriculture, President Mnangagwa said the 2024/2025 farming season was offering hope albeit after a shaky start.
In light of floods experienced in some parts of the country causing distress, he assured those affected that no community would be left unsupported.

“Regrettably, some regions of our country continue to experience floods, causing distress to many families and communities.
“School infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, while roads, bridges and clinics have not been spared. Infrastructure upgrading, therefore, remains a priority, right from the districts.

“Projects will resume with greater momentum once the current wet conditions subside. No community will be left in distress and Government will do its best to support those in need.

“The Ministers of Local Government and Public Works; as well as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will soon update us on the extent of the damage and the relief efforts which are underway,” he said.

SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa

On international relations, President Mnangagwa said as SADC Chair, Zimbabwe would continue to champion peace initiatives in the region as well as further the engagement and re-engagement drive on the global stage.

“On the international relations front, efforts to promote and entrench regional peace, unity and solidarity will continue to occupy our schedule as the current Chair of SADC.

“The Osaka 2025 Expo, among other high profile international events, requires us, along with the private sector, to apply ourselves fully so that our country reaps optimal socio-economic benefits from this premier global extravaganza,” he said.

“Overall, the year will be characterised by numerous high profile local, regional and international engagements which will require us all to redouble our efforts to achieve seamless coordination and a result-oriented work ethics.”

The President said the Second Republic would continue with its thrust of decentralising national events.
“Of special note are the 45th Independence Day Commemorations which will be held in Gokwe-Nembudziya in line with the thrust of the Second Republic to hold national events rotationally at the grassroots level,” he said.

He also promised that the water supply situation in Bulawayo, Harare and other major cities would continue to be closely monitored.

A firm approach was also required on issues of waste management and disposal beginning at the household level and extending to communities, local councils as well as industry and commerce, said President Mnangagwa.
“Councils must comply with requirement for the approval of their budgets and service delivery plans towards greater efficiency and enhanced accountability.

“Going forward, I am directing that all outstanding budget approvals be concluded, without exception, within the First Quarter of every year, as we build momentum to deliver world-class services to all ratepayers and the general populace,” he said.