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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HANSARD 18 MARCH 2025 Vol. 51 No. 33

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Tuesday, 18^th March, 2025

The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.

PRAYERS

(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER

NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following Bills: First one is the Broadcasting Amendment Bill [H. B 10A, 2024]; second, Statutory Instruments Numbers 1 to 10 gazetted during the month of January 2025 and third, Statutory Instruments, Numbers 11 to 16 gazetted during the month of February 2025.

HON. SHAMU: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.  Today we stand in solemn remembrance, 49 years ago on the morning of the 18^th of March 1975, just before 8am, a bomb ripped through a Volkswagen Beetle in Lusaka, Zambia at 150 Muramba Road, Chilenje South.  Inside that car, sat a man whose life was dedicated to the liberation of Zimbabwe, Cde Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo.  In a brutal act of terrorism, the racist Rhodesian regime stole his life, believing they could silence him forever but they failed.  They did not kill his dream; they did not silence his voice and they did not crush his spirit. 

Cde. Chitepo was not just a man, he was a movement, a warrior and a strategist.  He could have embraced comfort, lived as a barrister in London, a scholar at the School of Oriental Studies (SOAS), a man of prestige but he chose a different path, the path of struggle, self-sacrifice and revolution.  He abandoned privilege to become the architect of our liberation. 

Why? Because he understands a truth that must never be forgotten, the land question was at the very heart of our revolution.  The land is our birthright, our sovereignty and our dignity.  On that fateful morning of 18 March 1975, the cowardly hand of imperialism struck.  The blast that took Chitepo’s life also claimed the life of his loyal bodyguard, Silas Shamiso and a child next door. 

Mr. Speaker Sir, one of Cde Chitepo’s committed bodyguards, a cadre of the revolution, Cde Benson Nicodemus Kadzinga, whose nom de guerre was Sadat Kafumazuva survived this cowardly attach and sustained serious injuries.

With your permission Hon.  Speaker Sir, may I advise this House that Cde Kadzinga is with us today in the Speaker’s Gallery – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - Today he sits in this gallery among us, a living testimony to the enduring self-sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom.  May Cde Herbert Whilshire Pfumaindini Chitepo continue to rest in peace? I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Shamu for your statement of national interest and bringing here the colleague who survived that brutal murder.  Let us be reminded always that the spirit hankering after freedom and independence is unstoppable.  I thank you.

HON. TOGAREPI: Mr. Speaker, before I proceed with my point of interest, would it not be prudent for us as a House to salute the Cde. Kadzinga who is here who survived that brutal attack? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER: I think we can all stand and salute Comrade Kadzinga who is in the Speaker’s Gallery.

All Hon. Members stood up in salute of Cde. Kadzinga

*HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Hon. Speaker, this month is women’s month, I heard this on national radio and women are celebrating this day.  I noticed something, as we grew up, women used the Ambi lotion that was used to lighten the skin.  As this is women’s month, I thought I would take this opportunity to alert women on the dangers of skin lightening creams. Some use hip enhancement substances to increase the size of their hips and these chemicals and substances are causing a lot of diseases such as cancers that are leading to death.  These creams include diprosone, et cetera and after using these creams, you will see that their knuckles and fingers will be darker than the rest of their body.  So, I was appealing to you Hon. Speaker that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs assist us to prevent women from using these harmful substances.  I also noticed that a lot of men are now using skin-lightening creams.

The problem is that when they get to 100 years, they are at a risk of contracting cancer of the skin and by that time, we will not have people with dark complexion in our country anymore. These products will affect the pigmentation of the skin, thinning the skin and if they are injured, the skin does not heal fast. 

My plea is that everyone must be educated about the dangers of these chemicals both women and men because some men are also involved in this.  Can we be helped by law enforcement agencies because these dangerous chemicals are being brought from outside the country by cross-border traders?  We must find a way of putting an end to this and legislate more punitive laws to would-be offenders.  We must have awareness campaigns to inform people of the dangers of these skin-lightening creams.   It is amazing, you will meet someone today who is dark in complexion and when you meet them again later, they will be light in complexion.  Zimbabwe is for black people not light skinned people.  Women are the majority who are doing this but men are also doing this.    These lightening creams cause health complications and skin cancers and this will burden the Ministry of Health as people seek treatment.  May these two ministries work together and put to an end to these harmful creams?  I thank you.

         ^*HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Togarepi.  I thought Hon. Togarepi, you would stand up and congratulate women because it is their month - internationally they are respected, they are our mothers.  Thank you very much Hon. Togarepi.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

         HON. TOGAREPI:  I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 29 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 30 has been disposed of.

         HON. C. MOYO:  I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

REVIEW AND UPDATE ON THE DRIVERS’ LICENCE TESTING REGULATIONS TO INCLUDE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES

         Thirtieth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the licence testing framework in Zimbabwe.

         Question again proposed.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir.  Thank you for allowing me to make a contribution on this debate; representing the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.  On Wednesday the 5^th of March 2025, Hon. Mhetu raised a motion with regards to the licence testing framework in Zimbabwe. 

         Allow me to address this august House and give an overview on the licence framework and what we wish to do going forward.  In Zimbabwe, the licence testing framework is administered by a vehicle Inspection Department known as VID, under the purview of the Hon. Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. In order to shed more light on the framework, I wish to give an overview of the existing framework;

In 2023, Statutory Instrument 119/23, which is the road trafficking licencing of driver’s regulations were published.  The aim was to align Zimbabwe’s driver’s licencing system with SADC requirements and international best practices.

         Furthermore, the new regulations have replaced the old class-based system with a more comprehensive categorisation as follows;

A – Motor cycles

A1 – Small motor cycles (up to 125 cc)

B1 – Quadricycles (quad bikes, motorised tricycles);

B – Light motor vehicles (cars, mini-buses up to 3500 kg)

BE – B vehicles with a trailer

C1 – light trucks (3500 – 7500kg)

C- Heavy trucks (over 7500kgs)

CE – C vehicles with a trailer

D1 – light buses (minibuses up to 16 seats)

D – Heavy buses (buses over 16 seats)

DE – D vehicles with a trailer; and

BE – Agricultural/construction vehicles, (tractors, excavators, etc)

         LICENCING TESTING FRAMEWORK

This consists of three main components. The first one being;

         Theory Test which comprises of written examination, the tests, the applicant’s knowledge of road science, traffic laws and safe driving practices. As you may be aware, these tests are also now being conducted using computers to keep in line with technological advancements the world-over.

         Practical Driving Tests - this is a behind the wheel assessment that evaluates the applicant’s driving skills including manoeuvring, turning and stopping. Currently, the law provides for testing of applicants for both manual and automatic vehicles.  The applicant who passes a road test using a manual vehicle can drive both manual and automatic vehicles. 

         However, applicants who pass a road test using automatic vehicles are restricted to driving automatic vehicles only and their licences are endorsed “Automatic Vehicles (AT)”.

Vision Test – this encompasses a medical examination that checks the applicant’s eyesight and visual ability.  My Ministry is committed to ensuring that all drivers who drive on our roads are adequately trained and licenced for the specific vehicles they operate and adhere to traffic laws, to ensure the safety of our citizenry.

         To conclude, the update to the driver’s licence framework in Zimbabwe as per SI 119/2023, marks a significant step towards the country’s licencing system with international best practices and SADC requirements facilitate the recognition of Zimbabwe licences by other countries.  I thank you.

         HON. MHETU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I just wish to thank Hon. Minister Sacco for his contribution to this debate. 

         Hon. Minister Sacco is the first Minister, in the year 2025, to come and speak with regards to motions which emanate in this Parliament. If we are to continue in this spirit, this Parliament will be the best among all the Parliaments in the world.

         I also want to thank Hon. Mambipiri, the one who seconded this motion.  Before I sit down, I would not have done justice if I do not mention a few Hon. Members who added their voices to this motion;

         Hon. Mapiki, Hon. Chigumbu, Hon. Kangausaru, Hon. Mashavave, Hon. Tshuma, Hon. Nyamupinga, Hon. Machangu, Hon. Mukomberi, Hon. Mangondo, Hon. Mavhudzi and many other Hon. Members. 

I therefore move that this House adopts the motion.

Motion that this House –

NOTING that the current driver’s licence testing framework in Zimbabwe requires individuals to demonstrate proficiency only in manual transmission vehicles;

CONCERNED that this framework may not adequately prepare drivers for the increasingly common use of automatic transmission vehicles on our roads;

RECOGNISING the importance of ensuring that all drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle they operate are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive safely and responsibly;

CONSIDERING that in this modern age where automatic vehicles are becoming more prevalent, it may not be necessary for all drivers to learn how to operate manual transmission vehicles, particularly if they do not intend to use them;

NOW, THEREFORE, calls upon the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to:

1. a) introduce two distinct categories of driver’s licences: one for manual transmission vehicles (which can also be used for automatic transmission vehicles) and one for automatic transmission vehicles only.
2. b) ensure that those who obtain licences for manual transmission vehicles also receive oral training for operating automatic transmission vehicles.
3. c) expand the driver’s licence testing framework to include a separate testing module for automatic transmission vehicles.
4. d) ensure that all driving schools and instructors are equipped to provide training on both manual and automatic transmission vehicles; and
5. e) review and update the vehicle drivers' licence regulations to reflect these changes and align them with international best practices, put and agreed to.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

         HON. TOGAREPI:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  I move that we revert to Order of the Day Number 5.

         HON. C: MOYO: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

         The mover of the motion Hon. C. Hlatywayo not being in the House.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  Any news about Hon. C. Hlatywayo? 

         HON. C. MOYO:  No, Hon. Speaker Sir. 

THE HON. SPEAKER: In future, a Member who has got to move a motion and it is on the Order Paper, should be available. Honourable Whips, if you could ensure that your Members are on stand-by to speak to their motions accordingly. 

HON. G. K. HLATYWAYO:  I just wanted to inform you Mr. Speaker that Hon. Hlatywayo is on Committee business.  He is with the Portfolio Committee on Transport, so they are going around the country. 

THE HON. SPEAKER:  So, you are tendering his apology?

HON. G. K. HLATYWAYO:  Yes.

 THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, why did you not say that in the first instance? 

HON. G. K. HLATYWAYO:  I thought the Chief Whip was going to inform you but maybe he did not have the information. 

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Alright, thank you. 

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

HON. TOGAREPI:  Mr. Speaker, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 6 to 9 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 10 has been disposed of. 

HON. MATEWU:  I second. 

Motion put and agreed to. 

MOTION

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIGITALISATION PROJECT

         HON. MATEWU:  I move the motion standing in my name;  

that this House considers and adopts the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services on the implementation of the digitalisation project in Zimbabwe.

         HON. NYABANI:  I second.

     HON. MATEWU: The call by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) required that all states in the Southern region completely migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 2015. In an effort to comply with the ITU requirements and improve the broadcasting environment, the Government of Zimbabwe embarked on the Digital Migration Project which is a transformation from analogue to digital with the aim of digitalising the whole broadcasting chain from the studios to transmission equipment. Pursuant to its oversight function, the Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services conducted an inquiry into the progress made towards the Zimbabwe Digital Migration Project. The Committee saw it necessary to monitor the progress made in digitisation in line with the National Development Strategy 1 which aims at infrastructure development and leaving no one and no place behind.

Objectives:

• To assess the progress made regarding the digitisation programme;
• To ascertain the challenges faced in acquiring transmitters and the key requirements to complete the digitisation programme; and
• To recommend possible solutions for better performance of the media sector.

Methodology:

• The Committee conducted field visits to Kamativi Transmitter, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Montrose studios in Bulawayo, Mashava Transmitter and Kotwa transmitter from 31 July to 2 August 2024 in the company of officials from Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Transmedia Corporation and Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
• The Committee held oral evidence sessions with Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Transmedia Corporation and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on their mandate and operations.

Brief Overview on the Digitisation Project:

Digitisation in the media industry is the process of converting analogue information into digital formats and using digital technologies to transform content creation, distribution and consumption. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is a United Nations specialised agency which promotes the shared global use of the radio spectrum, facilitates international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, assists in developing and coordinating worldwide technical standards and works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world. The agency had given a deadline of the year 2015 in which countries should have conformed to the standard of digitising radio and television. The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, a statutory board established through the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06] was formed to regulate and monitor the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe. This entity was therefore assigned to spearhead the implementation of digitisation project commonly known as ZimDigital, together with Transmedia Corporation and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The project started in 2015 with a target for completion within two years. The scope of the project would entail construction of broadcasting sites, equipping sites with state-of-the-art digital equipment and modernising radio and television studios to enhance content production. The delays in the completion of the project have been due to lack of funding from Treasury through the National Budget allocation. The project is currently at 42% completion stage.

Rationale for Funding the Digitalisation Project:

The digitalisation of Zimbabwe's broadcasting sector is a critical step towards enhancing its competitiveness, improving service delivery and aligning the country with international standards. Countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Seychelles and Zambia among others, have managed to digitise their systems. Zimbabwe risk chances of interferences of its radio and television systems because of the use of analogue whilst most countries have digitised.

Benefits of Complying with International Telecommunications Union on Digitisation:

The benefits of digitising Zimbabwe’s broadcasting sector and compliance with ITU resolutions and compliance are as follows;

• Zimbabwe will be able to meet international standards and access advanced technologies and latest innovations in broadcasting.
• Digitisation enhances competitiveness and universal access to information which is the platform to push and achieve the Government policy on the dissemination of information to all citizenry across all corners of the country. This will also help to minimise misinformation and disinformation associated with the emergence of the social media.
• The modernisation of studios is essential for producing high-quality content that can compete in the digital age. This will enable entities like Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Zimbabwe Television Network and other broadcasters to attract viewership, improve content quality and generate advertising revenue.
• Digitalisation is essential for ensuring national security in the broadcasting sector, for example, monitoring pirate radio stations, securing content and preventing misinformation.

Financing of the Digitisation Project:

The funding from the implementation of the digitisation project would come from the fiscus. However, there has not been commitment in terms of funding for this project over the years. For example, no disbursement was done for the project implementation in 2024. The initial cost for the completion of the project was USD175 million.  If broken down, USD125 million was for services and equipment and USD50 million for local works. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion only released USD1,195,000 for the payment for the signal distribution services arrears for 2022 and 2023. The licence fees payable to Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Transmedia Corporation for broadcasting and transmission are on the high side such that little is being received from this revenue stream to assist in project implementation.

Committee Findings:

KAMATIVI TRANSMITTER

The Committee was informed that digital signal in Kamativi was obtained through fibre optics. Accessing digital signals via satellite was deemed costly, necessitating investment whereas terrestrial transmitters were more accessible. Engineer M. Chakanyuka, the Director of Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) highlighted that the digitisation programme’s challenges included financial resources, foreign currency resource availability and market strategies for set-top box distribution. During the visit to the Kamativi Transmission site, the Committee learnt that it was one of the pre-existing sites. The site was fully operational, with TV and radio signals reaching up to 120km to Binga Centre and extending to Victoria Falls Airport, Jotsholo, and overlapping with the Lupane site. The site was equipped with a 5 000-watt transmitters. Transmedia Corporation responsible for transmission revealed their decision to install gap fillers, which are small, low-cost transmitters in Binga, to cover areas beyond Binga towards Siabuwa and Siakobvu that Kamativi's signal cannot reach. The cost of these gap fillers is approximately USD10 million.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Montrose Bulawayo:

The Committee visited the ZBC Montrose site in Bulawayo and was informed that it was the second largest transmission site which is equipped with a back-up system. In case of a fault at the Harare satellite, the Bulawayo satellite would assume control of signal distribution. The site hosts eight transmitters, both analogue and digital. The digitisation process at Montrose is 50% complete with the installation of the digital TV transmitters and outstanding is the FM radio systems. Montrose's analogue TV transmitter is operational, serving the Bulawayo area with a 50km radius coverage. Additionally, the site provides six national radio services, including four for ZBC and two for private entities, Star FM and ZiFM, as well as two commercial radio stations. It also accommodates transmission systems for Khulumani FM and Skyz FM.

The Committee also received information with regards to the installation of 5 000-watt transmitters to enhance service quality and availability temporarily. It was noted that the transmission site lacked an allocation for community radio stations, as no licences had been issued for metro areas. The Committee gathered that the site featured two satellite distribution systems: a primary internet protocol (IP) based fibre network connecting Montrose and Pockets Hill, and a secondary satellite system. An estimated USD20 million was needed to connect all sites with fibre. The procurement process for equipment was described as cumbersome, due to the requirement to adhere to national procedures, with the Procurement Regulatory Authority Zimbabwe reviewing bids from various government departments weekly. The Committee also learnt that Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe's equipment purchases from abroad were sometimes hindered by sanctions, affecting items such as spectrum monitoring equipment from Germany. During the tour at ZBC Montrose, the Committee observed that there was need for completion of the other two studios, one for production and the other one for transmission and they had been waiting for the equipment since 2017. The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Munangasa emphasised that there was need for an injection of about USD5 million to purchase equipment for Montrose studios to operate in full capacity as currently there is still analogue equipment.

MASHAVA TRANSMITTER

The Committee visited Mashava Transmitter in Masvingo where it observed that more work still needed to be done in terms of construction and the acquisition of equipment. It was mentioned that an investment of about USD300 000 was poured on the site but still no one is benefiting from the infrastructure as it is still just a tower.  It was also indicated that there was need for an estimate of USD700 000 for the power system and the transmitter. It was cited that Netone was currently renting the passive infrastructure. The Committee noted that the tower was not serving its intended purpose in terms of transmitting radio and TV waves.

KOTWA TRANSMISSION SITE

The Committee inspected the Kotwa transmission site, one of the eighteen sites completed by the project. They learnt that the site, formerly abandoned by Tel-one, now exclusively serves digital television, including newly licenced broadcasters.  Kotwa boasts of two digital transmitters consolidated into one unit, capable of supporting twelve HD services, though currently it operates three, two ZBC channels and ZTN. The operational transmitter extends coverage over a 40 to 60-kilometer radius, encompassing Nyamapanda, Pfungwe, Suswe, and Susamoya. The site is also equipped with a satellite downlink for signal reception, a generator, a power system with an automatic voltage regulator, uninterrupted power supply and a set-top box. However, the Committee noted concerns over the generator's sustainability due to its high fuel consumption of fifteen litres per hour.

General Findings:

• It was observed that since the project's inception in 2015, BAZ has been installing only two or three transmitters annually. At this rate, it would take nearly 15 years to install all 48 transmitters. In the 2024 national budget, the Committee advocated for a budget of purchase of five transmitters and the request was granted but not even one was purchased due to lack of disbursement of funds.
• That set top boxes/decoders which are essential for access to free television high definition local content as part of digitisation are currently charged between USD25-30 through the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe with only three channels that is ZTV and ZTN and Jive TV which is under trial. The cost could be reduced to promote the new product since it has limited channels. The introduction of the decoder into the mainstream market will catalyse business growth for television stations, enhance audience, quality and improve overall accessibility to cultural and creative content for the general public.
• The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection. It had a deadline of ceasing analogue transmissions in 2015. A few countries are lagging behind in terms of compliance and Zimbabwe is one of those. This lack of compliance is limiting access to modern technology and keeping Zimbabwe from advancing further, thereby creating a wider gap amongst society. This means Zimbabwe cannot fully participate in the digital economy.

Challenges being faced in completion of the digitisation programme.

• Lack of funding:

The Committee learnt that underfunding, delayed fund disbursements, difficulties in accessing foreign currency at the previous auction system, and overall foreign currency shortages were hindering the project's completion. It was conveyed that additional funding is required to finalise the digitisation project and to purchase equipment from Germany. It was noted that broadcasting is primarily a public service, and thus, the majority of its resources are provided by the Treasury. The outstanding amount required to complete the project is USD65 million. BAZ collects fees for licencing broadcasters and signal distribution and currently has uncollected revenue worth USD489,237.54 which could also assist the project.

• Marketing Strategy for the distribution of set top boxes:

The Committee was informed that the majority of Zimbabweans are yet to receive the new television services on either DTT (digital terrestrial television) or DTH (direct to home) platforms, highlighting the need for increased publicity for Set Top Boxes (STB). It was reported that Zimbabwe needs approximately 3.5 million STBs to achieve the desired viewership target. It was noted that most community members lack these devices, thus underscoring the necessity to manufacture the set-top boxes locally to support the digitisation programme. The few available set-top boxes are being imported from China and there seems to be conflict of interest wherein the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is the regulator and becomes a player in the distribution chain of the set top boxes. Currently, many Zimbabweans are unaware of the decoder (set top box) due to its limited advertising and availability, which is primarily restricted to television channels. This situation is not only inconvenient but also detrimental to broader market engagement.

Committee Observations

• That there has not been any release of funding towards digitisation since 2018. Treasury only disbursed for payment of arrears to Eutelsat for the year 2022 and 2023 and nothing for the project’s implementation.
• The Committee expressed significant concern over the sluggish progress in the installation of digital transmitters, which is impeding the digitisation project's completion. An outstanding USD65million would complete the project.
• The Committee noted that the radio transmitters are still operating on analogue. This poses the risk of being interfered by neighbours, risk of causing interference on neighbours and Zimbabwe will continue watching the outdated analogue television compromising on quality.
• That the transmission site at Mashava only has an erected tower which is not secured and this poses a risk of vandalism and theft.
• The Committee recognised the need for additional investment on equipment to finalise the incomplete sites, particularly in Mashava, in Masvingo which are “shell” transmission sites without equipment.
• It was remarked that many transmission sites lack essential security, leaving them susceptible to equipment theft and vandalism.
• The Committee acknowledged the necessity to educate the public on satellite signal usage and to increase the distribution of set-top boxes to citizens at an affordable price.
• The Committee was concerned by ZBC's slow progress in installing digitalised studios especially for radio.
• The Committee was alarmed that some technologies at ZBC were becoming obsolete before their intended use due to the untimely provision of adequate funding to fully operationalise the equipment.

Committee Recommendations:

• The Treasury must ensure the allocation of about USD70 million for the ZimDigital project's completion, with a deadline set for no later than July 2025 and for Zimbabwe to fully participate in the digital economy.
• The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Investment Promotion should provide support to the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services in obtaining foreign currency necessary for the procurement of digital transmitters in the 2025 national budget.
• The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Transmedia Corporation are tasked with ensuring distribution of set-top boxes to citizens, ensuring access to high-quality signals for television and radio by December 2025 by properly advertising and providing awareness on them.
• The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is urged to exempt Set-top boxes from import duty to ensure affordability by January 2025.
• The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services must implement sufficient security measures at each transmission site most importantly in Mashava by December 2024.
• That the decoder be made widely available in retail outlets, such as electronics stores and departmental chains like TV Sales and Hire, among others. This would ensure that the decoder is accessible to all Zimbabweans. By allowing BAZ to step up retail operations, local businesses can be empowered local businesses while BAZ focuses on its regulatory role.

Conclusion:

The Zimbabwe Digital Migration Project is a significant national initiative poised to drive development and job creation. To date, progress has been tangible, with eighteen transmission sites having transitioned to digital. Nonetheless, delays in funding disbursement and insufficient financial resources have hindered further advancements. Therefore, it is imperative that the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion prioritise the project's financing.

         HON. MATEWU: I thank you.

         *HON. NYABANI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I would like to add my views to the report brought by our Chairperson.  As a Committee, we found it important to tour the transmitter sites after noticing that where we come from and other areas, the transmission is poor.  We visited various areas such as Kotwa, Kamativi and other areas, trying to assess what Government is doing with regards to transmission.  During our tour, we noticed that we are far behind in terms of digitising.

         If I were to give an analogy of telephone use, I am talking of that phone where you would dial the numbers.  We have heard many Members of Parliament here saying the ZBC signal is very poor.  It is because they are still using the analogue system.  We need to upgrade to modern digital systems.  We visited some of the towers, the materials used have a lifespan, yet we noticed that some of them are now 20 to 30 years old.  Some of them are supposed to be operational for 50 years, yet they have already lost 20 years lying idle, which means at some time, those transmission sites would remain uninstalled. We are lagging far behind in terms of digitisation.

         Our recommendation is that the Ministry of Finance is not adequately funding this project to ensure that the towers transmit properly.  If you look at Rushinga, Mbire and Binga, they listen to radio stations from Zambia or Mozambique or other foreign radio stations.  People believe that they can only access television in Harare.  So, it is important for the Ministry of Finance to ensure that when the budget comes, then only the Ministry of Information would be allocated more funds for that.  We realise some of the people get to know information or news way after something has happened.  Right now, people are relying on social media for news, yet it is spreading distorted information and rumours.  If we could work on those sites because the money that was talked about here, I do not think it is that much that the Government cannot afford.  If we digitise through the Ministry of Information, it means that people in Rushinga, Binga and everywhere, information will be transmitted as it is, coming from Government to wherever.  Right now, there is a lot of distortion of information because of poor transmission.  Our radio stations sometimes stop functioning for a week or a month because of the poor transmitters. 

         Mr. Speaker, we hear of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programme.  Some of us do not even know what is happening on that programme but due to digitisation, we might find that there is a new programme coming before we conclude the digitisation programme.  Let us move with time because we sign agreements with other international organisations and countries.  There are timeframes expected from every country.  So, for us to move with the rest of the international community, we need to be up to date instead of lagging behind.  As we talk about AI, it means we are still in analogue as we are struggling to go to digitisation.  Now people are advancing and we are still struggling to move from that very first step.

         It is my wish that as Parliament, we need to support the Ministry of Information.  The President says no place and no one should be left behind.  So, there is need for 48 transmitters but we only have 18.  It means all the other areas are lagging behind in terms of information they are supposed to be getting from Government.  I hereby request that the Ministry of Finance fund that project.  It does not mean that we will be constructing those transmitter sites every day but let us do it gradually so that we support ZBC; we support all other Government departments to access information.  Therefore, I request that set-top boxes that are being sold at ZBC should be put in information centres because someone cannot travel at a cost of USD10.00 to buy a set-top box which costs USD25.00.  There is need for decentralisation of the centres where set-top boxes can be accessed so that everyone can get them.  That way, people will be up to date in terms of access to information.  I thank you.

         *THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Nyabani, please approach the Chair. 

         The Hon. Speaker having mistakenly called Hon. Makope to debate

         HON. MAKOPE: Hon. Speaker, this is not the motion that I am supposed to debate.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Matewu, I believe there are quite a number of Members who debated.

         HON. MATEWU: No, this is the first time.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: So, Hon. Makope, you are not ready.  I think there is a problem of terminology, digitalisation and analogue and so on.  It sounds like Greek.

        

 

HON. MUGUNI: Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to say a few words on this report presented by our Chairperson, Hon. Matewu. It is very important that we stress the issue of timeous distribution because when ZBC orders some equipment if it takes long before they are given enough funds to purchase due to technology which is moving fast by the time, the purchased machinery might be outdated. We now really emphasise that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion should timeously disburse funds. As we were going around, especially in areas like Plumtree, they are still receiving transmission from Botswana and South Africa. The mantra of not leaving anyone or any place behind will not be successful if digitisation is not completed, especially considering that this programme was supposed to be completed by 2015, it has taken just too long to complete.

At ZBC library where they have their old recordings and all those are still in the analogue, they cannot replay them anymore because they cannot convert analogue to digital considering that we have not fully completed our programme of digitisation. I am really expressing that it is very crucial that we complete this digitisation. We are failing to transmit to our people, especially in the rural as to what is happening in the country because there is no transmission mostly in the rural areas. As we were going round, the cry of most of the people in the rural areas was that we are not receiving any local transmission and sometimes we think  there is propaganda but when we look at it, it is also our fault that we are allowing our own people to listen to foreign radios and television.

I emphasise that the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion should disburse enough funds and we complete this digitisation so that we can have information spread to our people, especially in the rural areas. I thank you.

^*HON. HAMAUSWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to add a few words to this debate. I would like to debate in line with the Bill that was passed in Parliament. If the digitisation programme is not completed, it means that the Bill which we were saying should wait a bit will be meaningless to the people of Zimbabwe. If you travel by road from Harare to Bulawayo, you will find that there is lack of transmission signal along the way. It means people who reside along that area are not getting the signal. If the digitisation programme is complete, then it will make sense to some of the people, especially on the Bill that we passed because they will understand that they are paying for the frequency or signals they are receiving. Before we even talk of the border lying areas just using that road alone, you will not get any signal. If only there was a way to ensure that the funds collected can be put into use through the digitisation programme.

We realise that there are some areas where the signal is good but there are adverts on radios and televisions about set-top boxes but because of poverty, very few can afford them in the rural areas. If only Government could give out a number of set-top boxes so that at least they can get access to the signal. In short, I am saying Government should distribute set top boxes in rural areas just like the distribution of rice, they can do so as well through the Members of Parliament to areas that they know are strategic so that the message can be spread that digitisation is good. The equipment may become obsolete before it even works but through the budget that was passed in Parliament and funded by taxpayers, we are saying they are machines that have been installed like in Mudzi, yet people are struggling to get access to the signals because they do not have those set-top boxes. So, it does not give a good image that Government spends millions to purchase set-top boxes and then fails to sacrifice maybe a million to actually spread the word or at least reduce the price of the set-top boxes or find a way of doing it immediately instead of spending the whole year debating again at the end of the year on set-top boxes. Leadership should be...

         THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. TSITSI ZHOU): Order Hon. Hamauswa, Hon. Tafanana Zhou, may I remind you that we are still in the august House.  Please take your seats and allow us to hear the Hon. Member in silence.  Proceed Hon. Hamauswa.

*HON. HAMAUSWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was emphasising that Government has spent money on transmitters where some areas are now able to receive digitised signal, which means many people can now access that signal and the digitisation actually improves the signal quality. So that is good progress but my request is here in this august House, let us resolve from what Hon. Matewu said.

 Government should come up in the shortest possible time, to bring a statement on what the Government is doing to ensure that areas that are now accessing that digitised signal should get set-top boxes. It would be great to have Members of Parliament being given those set-top boxes to give perhaps pensioners or senior citizens to distribute it as a way of marketing so that when we go back to request more funding for it, people will find it as a justification. Madam Speaker, sometimes if you were to go where those transmitters are made, they destroy the environment because trees are cut down, sometimes they climb mountains and sometimes lives are lost during transmitters.

We then discover that after all that dirty work, something that costs 15 or 20 dollars is not accessed to ensure that the whole process is complete. So that shows we are not organised as Government. Let us exhibit good leadership qualities to ensure that set-top boxes are given to people. If possible, let them be distributed for free. I am saying this because information is good to the public. If people are not well informed, you know that if you go out to the rural areas, people will tell you that they heard  on radio and they rely on that as a credible source of information.

I heard on radio some other time from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education about a career guidance programme. A person who only hears Portuguese, they are not able to benefit from the career guidance programme that is on Radio Zimbabwe, so that must be fulfilled. The other thing is that the digitisation programme shows how Zimbabwe is committed to fulfil some of the agreements committed to a regional level. Considering that we are now the SADC Chairperson, if such an agreement was put in place by the region, that by 2015 we are supposed to have fulfilled, yet 10 years down the line we have not fulfilled, it raises questions on the commitment of Zimbabwe on the resolutions because we want all the resolutions that come to Parliament to be fulfilled.

Zimbabwe should lead and must not lag behind in fulfilling resolutions. It is very important with regard to diplomacy to ensure that you fulfill what you have agreed on, especially on Zimbabwe which claims to be a champion in regional politics.

Finally, there was reference to the fact that when Zimbabweans are unable to receive signal from this country, it means they will end up listening to foreign signals. They will end up receiving weather forecast from other countries. Here, somebody may not be able to know that there is a cyclone coming because they are relying on Zambian weather forecast, that is where we see the importance of information. People end up listening to Studio 7 even if they speak the truth. For those people who are able to listen to that signal, they are blamed but sometimes it is because they do not have an option. They cannot access signals in the country. So, this digitisation programme should be looked into and put through as a matter of urgency. The other thing is, when the budget is passed, funding must be released quickly to ZBC.

Some of the taxes that people will pay for the radio licencing through this ZINARA law, some of them will not be happy about it. At least now that becomes a consolation just like this tobacco levy. There were doubts whether that money will be given to the rightful beneficiaries. I believe some of the programmes like the digitisation programme may succeed. I thank you for giving me this opportunity.

HON. MATEWU: Madam Speaker Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. HAMAUSWA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19^th March, 2025.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

HON. KAMBUZUMA:  Madam Speaker Ma’am, I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 11 to 13 on todays’ Order Paper, be stood over until Order of the Day, No. 14 has been disposed of.

HON. MASHONGANYIKA: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEDICATED FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE GOVERNMENT TENDERS ARE RESERVED FOR YOUTH LED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

Fourteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the promotion of youth economic empowerment and entrepreneurial growth.

Question again proposed.

*HON. S. TSHUMA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am for giving me the opportunity to debate on the motion raised by Hon. Maunganidze. I support the idea that the youths must be empowered so that they succeed because they are the future generation.  Even if this motion has a good intention, I also think that there is something that needs to be rectified so that the motion helps all the youths in the country. 

When I look at the issue of tenders, they are meant for those with resources, for example, the Government may issue a tender for road construction.  For you to bid, you must possess all the necessary equipment.  Those who issue tenders also look at a lot of other requirements. They also consider people with registered companies that have got skilled labour, knowledgeable people and also look at the background of the company.  They also look at whether the company has adequate funding to do the job and also previous experience.  So, if we say the youths must be given 30%, I think that will not be good, there will be bias because this will support youths who are already empowered.  If you look at how Government operates these days, right now there is no bias whether the person is young or not.  At the moment, Government only considers expertise and the track record of that company in terms of efficiency.  Last year, when the roads to Parliament were being constructed, an Hon. Member asked a question that one road was constructed recently, now it is already bad.  What is the Government doing with such companies that do bad jobs?

The Hon. Minister gave a very good response and he said, ‘anyone who does a bad job must redo that work’. So I think that will be problematic to the youths if they do not have adequate funds.  I think that compromises the scope of the work if we merely give tenders because they are youths despite the fact that they do not have track records to do the job correctly.

The other thing is that although the youths constitute the majority of the population in this country, let us also consider that the majority of the population in this country resides in the rural areas. So, with regards to the requirements for tenders and opening of companies or bank accounts, some of them may not even have them.

Those in the rural areas, it means they will be left behind.  This motion is meant for the youths. I think we should also take into consideration people in the rural areas and those who depend on agriculture for their survival. What will Government do for them, the youths into mining, what is the Government doing?

So, it is not only about tenders that are lucrative but there are a lot of other projects.  The liberation struggle was for the liberation of the land; money is found in the soil.  We have a lot of youths in the rural areas who are into agriculture but they are not getting enough financial support.  I appreciate very much His Excellency, the President’s programme of empowering our farmers with inputs.  We all know that those are inputs that are given for free and they may not be sufficient.  There are some youths who have bigger farm lands, if they can also be given inputs for agriculture that can improve their livelihoods. There are some youths who are into mining who also need to be looked into.  Government can also assist them.  There are companies that have mines in this country, big companies like Rio-Zim.  Such companies have been holding on to mines from long back even if they may not be using them. They then look for foreign partners and give them an opportunity to mine.  Such a motion should consider all that to ensure that such companies that spend a lot of time without using their claims or mines, they should consider the youths so that they may also be empowered and get to work.

Madam Speaker, I said earlier on that wealth is embedded in the land. I remember the words of the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo. He said, if you want money, just turn that word from money to agriculture. If you want money, do agriculture. I think Dr. Nkomo was telling the citizens of this country that wealth is found in the land. Let us use those resources. After getting resources, you can then go and look for tenders.

         Let us not tie them into tenders. Let us consider all facets of the economy, be it in manufacturing or any other sectors that I earlier on spoke to, so that they can work. The tender business should be voluntary because you have to bear in mind that if you do a shoddy job, you have to repeat the job.

 

So, what I am saying is, I am trying to encourage that we do not want to ensnare our youths where they will end up being taken to court. We also do not want our youths to stampede looking for tenders.

Sometimes those tenders are not so many. There is just one company to do that job, yet maybe 50 companies go for bidding. That process where the bids are scrutinised or where they do tenders adjudication, that is where all those issues are considered. That brings up confusion because they end up having to compromise just to consider the youths.

So, I am sure the youths who want to do tenders are there and they are doing it freely. I also like to add on and say the youths must access loans from banks without collateral. It is a good idea, but the problem that we might have is that private banks will not be able to offer that service because they cannot do that without assuring that they will recover their money. So, we are only left with the Youth Empower Bank. If only the Minister of Finance can adequately fund it, so that all the youths who want to get funding or capital can be assisted through that way.

Before they are given funding, there must be scrutiny as to what exactly they want to do. Their project proposals must be scrutinised to avoid a situation where monies disbursed by the banks may never be recovered. If they get funding from the banks, the money must be paid back so that someone else may access that money. So, it is important that they should not be given this money in cash because they may end up spending it on holidays instead of doing the work they are supposed to be doing. We realise that most people change as soon as they get money, except for women - men, do a lot of things. So, all those measures must be put in place. 

Madam Speaker, I would be very glad if this motion succeeds. But we want to go and talk about where we come from, Binga, Gokwe-Kabuyuni, or Rushinga. They should be rejoicing that indeed that motion which was debated is a good motion. I represent the rural populace. Indeed, if it succeeds that way, there is no benefit for the Gokwe-Kabuyuni person. Instead, we will be empowering those who are already successful. So, in this House, let us assist each other. We are the ones who know the problems that we have, where we come from. As an example, our constituencies, you may go to one ward and ask them if you want to drill a borehole. They may not be happy if you did not consult them - maybe their priority is a clinic. You may go and paint a school block, maybe their priorities will be a bridge. So, we must have an all-inclusive approach so that everyone is satisfied that they have representatives.

Finally, Madam Speaker, there is need to ensure that areas where they can get business opportunities are put into consideration so that all the youths are adequately looked after so that they do not feel left out. I thank you.

*HON. NYAKUEDZWA:  Good afternoon Madam Speaker. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.  I want to also add my voice to the motion on the development of the youth; so that they are given opportunities to benefit from everything that is done in our country that pertains to our economy, since they are the future leaders of tomorrow. In that regard, we should guide them properly so that they can take our country to its heights. Madam Speaker, it is my view that our youth should be enlightened by Government departments so that when they are assisted with funding to start their businesses, they will be knowledgeable on how to use the money. They will also be able to run their businesses properly.

 Our Constitution, Madam Speaker, in Chapter 2, Section 20  (1) (c), it encourages the affording of opportunities to the youth so that they can be self-sustaining in terms of the economy of this country. My belief, Madam Speaker, is that as the august House, let us enhance this law so that when we talk about 30% quota, there should be an arrangement where if they require loans from the bank, the bank requires collateral security. Madam Speaker, true, no bank can lend them money without collateral security.  We need to come up with a law as a Government that ensures that there be a particular type of security so that the youth do not have to worry about providing collateral security, but Government deposits collateral security on behalf of the youth or the Government should guarantee these loans. The previous speaker said the youth should be given an opportunity in farming.

Madam Speaker, I believe that land is a finite resource, but they should be given a chance when maize is planted so that they can come up with milling companies to make mealie meal and flour for resale. That may actually help in the development of our economy. If the youth are mining gold, there should be refineries, they should be making rings and other jewelry so that our gold is value-added before it leaves this country and by so doing, we will have created employment for our youth.

One also talked about the majority of the youth being in the communal lands and being unemployed. If the youth are employed, like in Manicaland, there is a lot of timber, they should not just sell the timber, but they should sell furniture after value-addition. They should have a company that value-add the timber into furniture, coffins and other such items for resale.  This will help in developing the economy of the country. If you observe Madam Speaker, in Hwange, coal is being produced in large quantities. If the youth have companies to manufacture steel using the coking coal, it will enable our country to earn foreign currency.

Some countries such as China, Madam Speaker, helped to uplift their youth in various sectors such as mining, tourism and other sectors which has led to the economy of the Chinese being on the apex. If we do not leave any inheritance for our children and they hope that they will be better tomorrow, it means that when we will no longer be there, our country will go back to our colonisers, the whites, because they will be knowledgeable.  Let us have faith in our children and help them, equip them by having skills in various jobs so that we come up with proper laws that will enable the youth bank to function properly because it will be having the funds.

We should not just have a youth bank in name only. Youth banks should assist the youth. We should come up with laws that uplift the livelihoods of our children so that when we recall or when we celebrate the Youth Day, we will also be reflecting on celebrating the success of what the youth are doing in terms of our economy.

Madam Speaker, a lot has been debated many times on the pain that the parents are suffering as a result of the youth abusing drugs. I recall last year, one Nyabani produced a bottle of an illicit brew commonly referred to as mutoriro. All this was being done because we are not giving adequate opportunities to our youth.

Let us make laws that create an enabling environment for our youth so that they have opportunities to further enhance the economy of this country. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, let me say that we have two ministries that are responsible for the youth. One of them is led by the Hon. Minister K. Coventry and the other one is led by Hon. Machakaire. We would want VTCs to educate our youth so that they will know how to manage and do their books once they start their companies. More importantly, the youths who are in the communal areas as they are the ones who are lagging behind and need to be assisted so that if they are involved in tender processes, this will assist them and not just a few who will benefit. Thank you for the opportunity that you have given me. My wish is that let us come up with a law that enhances the assistance that is being given to the youth.

HON. MUROMBEDZI: Madam Speaker, I rise to slightly give

another angle on this motion, not because I do not believe in youth empowerment, but because reserving 30% of Government tenders for youth-led enterprises is not the most effective way to achieve it. Instead of focusing on quotas and hand-outs, we must prioritise innovation, skills development and private sector-driven opportunities that truly prepare young people to compete in a fast-changing economy.

First of all, Government tenders breed dependency, not innovation. Reserving a fixed percentage of Government contracts for youth may seem like a noble idea, but it risks creating a culture of dependency rather than innovation. Youth-led businesses should not rely on Government hand-outs to thrive. Instead, they should be encouraged to innovate, compete and create products and services that attract investment beyond Government contracts.

The reality is that Government procurement processes are slow, bureaucratic and prone to corruption. If we pour youth enterprises into this system, we risk choking their growth with red tape rather than fostering dynamic, scalable business solutions.

Secondly, the real issue is the lack of access to finance and markets. Madam Speaker, what truly stifles youth entrepreneurship is not a lack of tenders but a lack of access to finance, technology and markets. Many young people have business ideas but struggle to get funding, modern equipment and market linkages. If we fix these issues, youth businesses will naturally succeed without needing Government quotas.

Instead of reserving tenders, we should expand access to affordable loans through innovation hubs, venture capital and fintech solutions; promote business incubators and accelerators to help young entrepreneurs refine and scale their ideas and invest in STEM education, digital skills and entrepreneurship training to help prepare youths for competitive industries like tech, agribusiness and renewable energy.

Thirdly, youth-led innovation is the future, not government contracts. Globally, economies are being transformed by young innovators, tech entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, not by Government tenders. In Africa, we have seen young people develop fintech solutions, e-commerce platforms and smart agriculture systems that have revolutionised industries. This is where our focus should be.

Instead of pushing youth into Government contracts, we should create tax incentives for private companies to invest in youth-led start-ups; fund research and development (R and D) initiatives led by young people and establish innovation parks and digital hubs where young entrepreneurs can test ideas and scale businesses.

Fourth is, Government tenders are prone to corruption and elite capture. Madam Speaker, let us be honest. How many of these tenders will actually reach the ordinary young entrepreneur in rural areas? We have seen in the past how tender systems are manipulated by politically connected elites. This motion risks benefiting a few privileged youths in urban centres while neglecting those in villages who lack networks to access these tenders. We need a solution that benefits ALL young Zimbabweans, not just a privileged few.

In conclusion, let us build a competitive, innovative youth-led economy. If we truly want to empower young people, we must equip them with skills, capital and access to markets, not Government quotas. Let us invest in tech, agribusiness, manufacturing and creative industries where young people can thrive without waiting for a Government contract. Our youths do not need special treatment, they need equal access to resources, a business-friendly environment and opportunities that reward hard work and innovation. I so submit Madam Speaker.

HON. KANGAUSARU: Madam Speaker and Hon. Members, imagine a Zimbabwe where every young person wakes up, not to the weight of unemployment but to tree of opportunity; a Zimbabwe where the dreams of our young people are not buried up under the rubbles of economic hardship but are instead, nurtured by a system that believes in their potential.

Today, I rise to speak not just about our youth economic empowerment but about the untapped potential or gold mine of innovation, creativity and resilience that lies within our young people; a gold mine that if harnessed, could redefine the future of our beloved nation.  The youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are innovators, job creators and drivers of economic growth today yet despite their immense potential, our young people face systematic barriers that stifle their creativity, limit their opportunities and push them to the margins of our economy.

Madam Speaker, the statistics are star and sobering. Zimbabwe has one of the youngest populations in the world with 62% of our citizens under the age of 25years. However, youth unemployment stands at an alarming rate with estimates suggesting that over 50% of our young people are either unemployed or underemployed. This is not just the statistics but a ticking time bomb when young people are denied opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the economy, you risk losing an entire generation to despair, to drug and substance abuse, to migration and even social unrest. Madam Speaker Ma’am, this is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity across the globe, nations that have invested in youth economic empowerment and entrepreneurial service have reaped transformative rewards. Let us look to a nation like Rwanda, a country that has emerged from the ashes of conflict to become a beacon of innovation and youth-driven growth. Through initiatives like the Young Connect Africa Summit and the Hunger Peak Fest, Rwanda has created a platform for young entrepreneurs to access funding, mentorship and markets.

Today, Rwandan youths are at the forefront of sectors like technology, agriculture and renewable energy, driving economic growth and reducing unemployment. Madam Speaker Ma’am similarly, South Africa has made significant strides through programmes like the National Youth Development Agency, which provides grants, loan and business development services to young entrepreneurs. These initiatives have not only created jobs, but also fostered a culture of innovation and self-reliance among young people.

Hon. Members, these examples are not just success stories, they are proofs for what is possible when a nation priorities its youth. Zimbabwe has the potential to achieve even greater success given our abundant natural resources, vibrant culture and the resilience of our people. But to unlock this potential and tap potential, we must take bold decisions. Hon. Speaker Ma’am, allow me to propose a three-pronged approach to youth economic empowerment in Zimbabwe. Number one; access to capital and financial inclusion. One of the greatest barriers facing young entrepreneurs is the lack of access to affordable capital.

Traditional financial institutions often view young-lead set-ups as a high risk, leaving many young people without the resources to turn their ideas into reality. We must establish a National Youth Entrepreneurship Fund that provides low-interest loans, grants and venture capital to our young entrepreneurs. This fund, Madam Speaker Ma’am, should be complemented by financial literacy programmes to ensure that young people can manage their businesses effectively and efficiently.

The second is the skills development and mentorship to our young people. Entrepreneurship is not just about having an idea. It is about having the skills to execute the idea. We must invest in vocational training, digital literacy and business management programmes tailored to the needs of our young people. Additionally, we must create mentorship networks that connect young entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders who can guide them through challenges of starting and scaling a business.

Thirdly, Madam Speaker Ma’am; market access and innovative hubs. Young entrepreneurs often struggle to access markets for their products and services. We must establish innovative hubs and industrial parks that provide affordable workspace, technology and access to local and international markets. These hubs should also create a sense of collaboration where young people can share ideas, form partnerships and learn from one another.

Madam Speaker Ma’am, the benefits of investing in our youth economic empowerment are immense. When young people are given the tools to succeed, they create jobs, drive innovation and contribute to economic growth. They become taxpayers, homeowners and community leaders. They become the architect of a prosperous and inclusive Zimbabwe, which we want.

However, let us be clear, this is not just an economic imperative, it is a moral obligation. Our youths are not asking for handouts. They are asking for opportunities. They are asking for a chance to prove themselves, to contribute to their families and to build a better future for our nation. The Zimbabwe that we all want.

Hon. Members, the time for rhetoric is over. It is time now to give them the land and the resources they need. The time for action is now. Let us draw inspiration from countries like Rwanda and South Africa, but let us also charter our path. One that reflects the unique strength and aspiration of Zimbabwean youths. Let us pass laws and allocate resources like farms, if need be. That prioritise youth economic empowerment. Let us create an ecosystem where every young person, regardless of background or circumstances, has the opportunity to strive.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker Ma’am. I call on this House to support this motion and to commit to a future where our young people are not just beneficiaries of development but are active participants in shaping it. Let us empower our young people to dream boldly, to dream wildly, to innovate fearlessly and to build a Zimbabwe that we can all be proud of, the Zimbabwe that we want, the Zimbabwe of prosperity. So, God bless Africa, God bless Zimbabwe.

*HON. CHAIMVURA: Good afternoon Madam Speaker. Thank you for affording me the opportunity to also give my views. The majority of people that live in this country are the youth. I am one of those who support the motion that was brought before this august House that 30% be set aside for all tenders for the youths. It is meant to urge the people of this country to remain in this country. The youths should be given implements for farming and develop the economy of the country.

Also, if the youths do not have start-up perks for their businesses or in farming or any ventures, they cannot be able to assist one another and grow the economy through the creation of jobs and they will forever be poor. The Empower Bank should not be difficult to deal with. It should not put stringent conditions for the youths.

They should be given concessional loans. The youths that are in the communal lands do not have network. Some of them do not even know how to access a bank or what to say in the bank. They require to be empowered so that they can be able to go to a bank. They should be at par with their counterparts who live in the urban areas. They should be encouraged to have skills like growing tomatoes, farming chickens and goats.

That will keep the youths busy and none will be idle. Everything has been said in this august House Madam Speaker Ma’am. I do not have much to add for the majority of the issues that have been already stated. Funding is important.  It helps the youths to get started. I thank you.

         HON. MADZIVANYIKA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I do not understand what the motion is trying to achieve under our circumstances.  The biggest worry that we are going to see or the biggest danger with this motion is that it creates unintended consequences for this country.  If we say 30% must be allocated to the youth in terms of tenders, what if the war veterans come with a petition tomorrow to say, we also want 20% from Government tenders?  What will happen when the women also come to say we want 20% of the tenders?  What will happen when persons with disabilities come and say we need 40% of the Government tenders?  What will happen when the elderly say now we are old, we are tired, can we also be allowed 10% of Government tenders?  This is what I am calling the catch of unintended consequences.

         What is fundamental for the growth of this country is capacity and expertise.  We need proper efficiency in the manner in which Government contracts are executed regardless of age, colour, size or nationality.  I want to be very clear that I would not support this kind of prayer, as much as I like the youths and I support the programmes that are designed to improve the welfare of the youths but this specific issue, I think is discriminatory.  Remember, we have got a law of procurement in this country called the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act that promotes competitive bidding on our Government contracts.  Are we then going to amend that Act to ensure that we allow the youth to come into play?  I do not think it is sustainable.  It is important to ensure that contracts and tenders are given to those who deserve them, who have got the capacity to execute them.

         The biggest problem that we have in this country is not lack of funding or lack of support for the youths.  The biggest problem that we have that must be addressed so that we put our youth at the same page with other competitors is unemployment.  Imagine that you are graduating from the university today and you have no employment.  I wanted to see this idea of saying how best can the Government try to bring an instrument so that our youngsters get employment and that they grow and start their own businesses and become self-sufficient and reliant.  Unfortunately, under our current circumstances, we now have degreed vendors and that is what we need to address as Parliament. 

         Number two, it is important to address the regulatory environment that we are operating in this country before we talk about the empowerment of the youth.  Imagine that you need 32 licences for you to open a supermarket. Under the circumstances, even if you want to empower them, how do you do it when you need 32 licences for a supermarket?  I think these are the issues that need to be addressed because these are so fundamental for business. 

         Also, assume that you allow this motion to go through and they are allocated 30% of Government tenders, which criteria is going to be used to say this youth deserves this tender and this one deserves that one?  This will create a lot of problems under the current circumstances. The Ministry of Youth is also seized with a lot of corporate governance malpractices.  According to the 2022 Auditor General’s Report (AG), a total of ZW872 million was used without supporting documents.  Whenever there is an expenditure, we expect to see supporting documents like invoices as well as issues to do with payment vouchers that was not there.  These are issues that need to be addressed first so that the youth operate in a safe environment for them to prosper.  How do you explain that kind of situation where a whole Ministry that is charged to preside over the issues of the youth spend ZW872 million without payment vouchers?  This is, in all intends and purpose, against Section 59 (5) of the Public Finance Management Act.

         If we are going to improve the youths’ welfare, let us also deal with the Ministry of Youth so that everything becomes very progressive.  In 2022, the Ministry of Youth paid for 17 vehicles but only seven were delivered. Up to now, 10 are still outstanding.  What kind of Government is this, that pays someone and that other person did not deliver and everything is normal?  In Shona we say, ko kunyara kwakaendepi?  It is important because we expect the Ministry of Youth to take centre stage in promoting the affairs of the youth and you lead by example first before we talk about these tenders because if you allow this 30%, it will follow the same trajectory; it may follow the same drain, which we are against.

         In the same year, 2022, according to the AG’s report, the Ministry of Youth actually acquired a royal fruit and vegetable plant from Mutoko.  From the AG’s report, until today, there is no record of its sales; there is no record of its class of shares; there is no record of its operations.  Mind you, that plant is worth USD9 million.  It is a serious cost Madam Speaker.  So, what am I saying? I am saying, let us deal with our current circumstances first before we push for this because we may allocate this 30%, but it will be food for the vultures which are popularly known as zvigananda.  The same vultures who are getting those contracts are going to register companies for the youth; they are going to sponsor everything.  The youth will be just a face and they will not be enjoying anything.  I do not think it is advisable to support this motion. 

         In actual fact, what we must do is exactly the same to all citizens.  For example, I will give the elderly people in terms of taxation.  The elderly, if you are over 55 years, you are given what we call an elderly person’s credit.  By the fact that you are old, we are allowing you not to get some credit in terms of being old. So, you do not pay more tax, which makes it a privilege for an elderly person.  Madam Chair, the elderly person does not pay capital gains tax on private principal residence if he decides to sell that asset.  A minimum of USD3 000 rental income, which is accruing to an elderly person is exempt for tax purposes.  The first USD1 800 received from the sale of a marketable security by an elderly person is exempt for tax purposes.  Can we also do the same to the youth to say, if you want to register a business as a youth, some of the fundamental requirements can be waived so that we support our youth.  For example, the requirements for a bank statement, let us waive it for now until the youths become financially stable.  What is required is to support the youth in terms of making sure that the environment in which they operate is reasonably better.

         If we look at my recommendations, the majority of them have been highlighted by other Hon. Members, it may not be necessary to regurgitate what have already been said.  With these few words, I would like to thank you. 

HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I am actually surprised that there is anyone in this House who would be opposed to supporting the motion that we must empower the youths and that we must create a definite opportunity for them to benefit from Government tenders like accessing at least 30% of Government tenders. We must acknowledge as a House and as a country that the youths in Zimbabwe today have a different experience of life as youths like what the majority of those in this House had.

A number of the people in this House went to university, they were paid grants by the Government while they were at the university. Several Hon. Members in this House got loans to finish university from the Government and none of them paid back those loans. The youths today have no such opportunity because our economy was ravaged by economic sanctions. They do not have that opportunity because we were closed out of the international markets in terms of exporting our products. A very good example is that of a number of countries in the Southern African region that benefited from the Africa Growth Opportunities Act which was an American initiative to allow easy access of African goods in the US markets, Zimbabwe was excluded. This is one example of the many things that sanctions brought to our country that made the economy not perform at the right level to allow for investment in our institutions and in our youths.

A lot of our youths are unemployed today, looking for opportunities and what we are talking of is affirmative action to bring on board economically those youths who have not benefited from a stable economy because we were ravaged by sanctions.  If we do not invest in these young people, we will have a generation of leaders at a later stage that will take this country downwards because they never had the opportunity to be who they should be at this stage. I believe this motion is very important and we must take it very seriously.

Yes, it is important to invest in the elderly and give them opportunities of tax-free but it is important to invest in the young because they are going to build the country. The youths are the ones with the energy to drive the growth of our economy not the retired. It is important to take care of the retired but it is more important to take care of a generation that has the energy, the zeal and the drive to build the country. So, this motion is so important and needs to be supported by the majority in this House.

In fact, my proposal is that this motion cannot be and should not be just about 30% of Government tenders. This motion must be about 30% of all work related to the country’s operations whether it is the private sector, public sector or Government. It must be a deliberate effort by ourselves as Zimbabweans and this generation to say we do not want to leave this generation behind because when it gets to our ages, we will not have a country that is functioning properly. I believe that it is true contribution made by colleagues here that we must ensure that there is more training for our youths. We must provide opportunities for them to access loans. The reality is that they cannot access loans if there is no economic base and no bank, despite how much we can talk about is willing to give a loan to somebody who does not have security. How do we expect young kids who have no security to access a loan to start a business? They cannot but should have the opportunity granted by Government to say you access 30% of all public and private sector projects because of your age group. That is their capital to earn something, to partner with anyone who has an interest in the finance to finance the project.

So, we ought to give the youths something that we can give by a signature because we have not been able to give them something that we must give them economically because we have been ravaged by economic sanctions.

Madam Speaker, I had an opportunity in my previous assignment in Government to travel to Barcelona for the big show that they do, a Global Congress of Mobile World Congress. One of the speakers was Mark Zuckerberg, we all know him as a multi-billionaire behind Facebook related companies. I went into his presentation, other than the fact that he is a billionaire and has lots of money, I did not find anything impressive about what he did. I actually thought we have young people coming from Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) who are even more brilliant than him and I realised that he is in a country where he can get or access financial resources, where there are people who are willing to invest in ideas whereas a student coming out of HIT, despite the best ideas, may not have the financial way withal to promote their project to something big.

Therefore, what we need to do is to make sure that these tenders are made available, to ensure that when the Government is procuring services, whether by tender or no tender, when private companies are procuring services whether by tender or no tender, they must buy from the youths. So, we can develop some of the best IT programmes, best software by our youths but if we have no policy that says if a parastatal wants to buy software, 30% of their spend must be on youths, they will develop these things and will send them to the best colleges. If there is no policy to promote them, they will never get that business, they will never grow. So, it is a good and brilliant idea but let us offer more training, create institutions of excellence for the youths. However, if you do not open the door for them to get money, there is no one who is willing to open that door. So, let us have this motion supported as I am supporting it to make sure that our youths do benefit from guaranteed access to Government business and to private sector business.

I see today a lot of roads being constructed, they are constructed in urban and in rural areas. Imagine the impact if we say just all quarry on this Government project funded by Government’s 20 million dollars, all the quarry is going to be supported by youths related business. So, we have all young people along the Chirundu highway, along the Harare-Beitbridge Road setting up quarries in order to tap into that opportunity but once they have availed quarry for roads and when the road is finished, they start building, start construction. They start doing many other things but we have created a window for them to get into the opportunity. So, this motion is extremely important and must be supported just as I am supporting it. We must make our youths proud and we must give them an opportunity because they are going to get to our stage and if they get to our stage without anything, it is going to be a disaster in this country. Let us give them the opportunity and support them and it must be from this House to make sure they access a minimum of 30% Government business, a minimum 30% private sector business, a minimum 30% opportunity in their own country of birth because no one will ever give them that opportunity if we do not do so. I thank you.

HON. KAMBUZUMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. C. MOYO: I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Wednesday, 19^th March, 2025.

MOTION

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT INDIGENOUS HERBAL TREES

Fifteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the preservation of Zimbabwe’s herbal trees.

Question again proposed.

+HON. NKOMO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to debate on the issue of our natural resources, the issue of trees that were used to treat our people as part of medicine but later on, they were neglected because of the coming of other people. Right now, we have neglected these natural resources trees, we are appealing that in our education, these trees could be put into the syllabus and learners learn about African medicine since the President has been continuously saying the country is built by its owners.

We should also translate to medicine that even our natural trees can heal us or be used as medicine. We are appealing to those who are responsible for the trees and environment that these trees should be taken care of and protected so that they can be used as part of traditional medicine. Most of these trees are very important in keeping our health as Africans.

There is also a shortage of certain trees that have declined because of their demand. They are being exported outside because everyone wants to use such trees. People are not replanting and such trees should be taken with much importance so that they can be protected and used into our medical arena. They have now not been used. If we go back to history, we will find that these trees have been used as part of medicine. Thank you.

*HON. NYAKUEDZWA: Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. I also want to add my voice to the debate before this august House. The preservation of our indigenous trees in this country which are used for medicinal purposes and for treating various ailments is very important. Our indigenous trees should be preserved because from these trees in the past, our health was taken care of by the use of such trees in treating various ailments. In the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Chapter 2:33, states that there should be preservation and conservation of our natural resources such as our trees. In this country, if we look closely, in the past we would say that we are the Dexter Chavundukas of this world that reached a stage where people of the country were to know about the different trees and how they could be used in treating certain ailments.

I thought as an august House, we could enhance the law that ensures that our trees and herbs are registered and protected and that this registration should be done through the Ministry of Health and this will lead us to coming up with pharmaceutical companies. These pharmaceutical companies will then make drugs from these herbs and as a result, will buy the drugs cheaply. We had COVID-19 that troubled the whole of this world.

In this country and in various other countries or different countries, people make a lot of money by using a traditional herb called zumbani. If you look at it, if zumbani was properly formulated and processed into tablets or capsules, Zimbabwe was going to reap a lot of money. This shows that in this country, we have a lot of herbs and trees that are of medicinal value and are recognised by other countries.

We have ailments such as diabetes and hypertension that are treated by local herbs. Even the food that we eat, we are told by the doctors that we should eat food that comes from rapoko, sorghum, finger millet and traditional rice. They encourage that if you suffer from diabetes, your health would improve if you were to consume such types of food. Madam Speaker, it is our plea as a country that we have a school where our children can research on the medicinal purposes of each herb or tree and how it can be further developed or processed into treating ailments such as cancer, eye problems and various others. My plea Madam Speaker is that we come up with a law, firstly, to protect and preserve such trees and herbs so that they will not be destroyed.  Secondly, to come up with a law that enables the Ministry of Health to accept that our trees and herbs be allowed to be processed into drugs and tablets so that we do not lose trees that are important and rely on foreign drugs.

Recently you heard that the Americans have stopped aid as a country. If we have our own herbs and shrubs, we will not be bothered by the foreign aid. 

Madam Speaker Ma’am, I was disturbed when we lost Hon. Hakata.  There were certain herbs and shrubs that he knew that helped us as men.  Because of such a loss, we now have a challenge as male Members of Parliament because we are now lacking. We once had Dr. Chavhunduka who knew herbs and shrubs that healed people to treat various elements. I urge this august House to prioritise our indigenous trees and shrubs, we have these in various forms such as ngungumira or black jack. If you apply these, you will treat your eyes or remove evil spirits.  We have herbs that treat cancer, stomach ailments such as diabetes and problematic legs. 

Madam Speaker, let me take my seat but I want to urge this august House that as a country, let us enhance or develop our laws in terms of [Chapter 2: 33] that says our trees, shrubs and herbs must be protected and more importantly that the Minister of Health accepts the use of these shrubs into herbs and drugs, which will then assist our people in this country.  With those words Madam Speaker, I thank you.

*HON. NKANI:  Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me also add a few words on this important motion brought by Hon. P. Zhou which talks about the preservation of our trees that have medicinal values.  I want to congratulate this august House because of this important motion.  In the past, Zimbabweans used to think that once you use our herbs, you are practicing witchcraft or something evil, especially Christians.  Whenever they see mothers giving herbs to their children, they will say it is witchcraft but when a child is given capsules or drugs, they will give greenlight to that.  The drugs and capsules that we have are processed from shrubs and herbs.  This is the colonial mentality that brainwashed our people into thinking that everything brought by the whites is good.

If these herbs are taken, packed and processed into capsules and written made in a foreign country, we will be happier but that is not the correct position.  I congratulate this august House that we are now at a level where we are implementing His Excellency, the President words that the country is built by its owners.  Meaning that it is now time for us Zimbabweans to ensure that we use whatever surrounds us to help us in our everyday lives. 

The question is being raised several times on what we are going to do about the removal of aid by Trump.  We have a lot of trees such as sausage tree mumvee and murumanyama, these have medicinal values and if we now have this motion in this august House, it means we are progressing. 

Madam Speaker, these shrubs, herbs and trees that we call for their preservation are not readily found in one place, they are scatteredly populated, so their preservation requires us as Zimbabweans to urge one another to come up with programmes to plant such trees. You may find sausage trees here and the other one in Norton but if we take the seeds and plant such trees, we will have these trees in abundance. It will help us in coming up with drugs that will treat us. 

Furthermore, it is not everyone who is knowledgeable about these herbs, shrubs and trees that have medicinal values.  It means us as the Government, we have a duty to come up with programmes to educate people on the benefits of shrubs, trees and herbs.  It is our work that we must do.  We should also further encourage those that are knowledgeable to come out openly and share their knowledge in terms of what these trees, shrubs and herbs can be used for to treat various ailments. The majority may not want to divulge this because they would also want to make a living out of that and get money out of it. As the Government, we should encourage people to be paid a certain amount for the invention or divulge that diarrhoea can be treated by such a herb and influenza can be treated by such a drug.

We have heard that in COVID-19, a lot of drugs, trees, shrubs were used in treating COVID-19, even an onion was used. When I contracted the flue bug, I just cut a few onions and administered them in my blanket, and the next morning I was as fit as a fiddle. Knowledge should be passed on.

As Zimbabweans, I urge every one of us to do so, so that we cannot be reliant on outside assistance. Madam Speaker, it is high time that we come up with research centres where people are taught, where in-depth research is conducted on the medicinal herbs like Murumanyama tree, in terms of the quantities that are needed to treat one's stomach ailments. I may use a very big cup and then I fall ill and die. We need to know the dosage. The dosage should be known.

Madam Speaker, there should be research centres where researchers will look into the medicinal value of, let us say, the sausage tree and how much is required to treat an ailment if one is ill. Once that is done, Madam Speaker, I believe that this will assist us.

Lastly, I would want to end by saying that we do have certain patented medicines. It is patented that so and so brought the use of the pawpaw tree leaves. As a result, that is patented - this country should know that pawpaw leaves can treat sore throat. I chewed a few leaves and as bitter as they may be, a few minutes after I was feeling well. The pawpaw leaves are capable of treating stomach ailments better than the capsules that you get from the pharmacy or chemist. So, this motion is giving us a chance to speak on how best we can be self-reliant as Zimbabweans.

         ^*HON. ZEMURA: Thank you Madam Speaker, for affording me the opportunity to add my voice. I am happy to hear a lot of trees, herbs, shrubs that we were ignorant of are used in treating various ailments. I suffer from hypertension and I use the mutiti tree. If you boil the bark of the mutiti tree and drink it three times a day, it lowers your sugar levels. If a person is hospitalised and is in a critical condition, if you administer the mutiti concoction on them, they will recover quickly.

These are some of the important herbs, trees and shrubs that we have. The mutiti tree looks like mumvee tree. It has a red fruit that has a white sport on the centre. Some use them for rattles. It has red leaves and during this time, it is mostly found in Mashonaland, especially in Epworth. There is a lot of mutiti trees in Epworth.

         I believe that we should urge people to be using our traditional medicines. They are cheaper than foreign drugs. In Bulawayo, they use ntolwane. If one is constantly being attacked by diarrhoea, once ntolwane is administered, whether in powder form or not and they take it in their porridge every morning, in the afternoon and in the evening, their health will be restored. They will regain their weight. It is effective even to small children.

 

We thank the government for allowing us to use such shrubs, herbs and trees. Dr. Chavhunduka even went to the hospitals and was advocating that even n’angas should be allowed to administer drugs. These days no one is advocating for these traditional medicines which are helping a lot of people. They are not as popular as the Zumbani tree that was exported to Britain and other countries because it was being used to treat COVID-19. The majority of people who administered Zumbani survived but Zimbabweans were looking down upon it. We saw people coming to the communal lands seeking knowledge about the Zumbani tree. As the previous speaker said, in terms of COVID-19, the majority of us used it to apply hot baths and we were healed. Why should we be looking down upon such shrubs that we have in Zimbabwe?

They are selling medicines, shrubs, trees and herbs that are administered to the children. There is a medicine that is used for Ndongorongo. You are told to administer it using the shell of a groundnut. It is important and it enabled our children to grow up well. When they board a bus, they would never fall ill once we get to Harare because they would have taken the medicine.

There were communicable diseases that small children could pass on to each other but we are grateful that we are here and we survived influenza because of our traditional medicines. We should continue and also advocate for their use. We want a law that allows the use of traditional medicines and the Ministry of Health and Child Care should recognise the use of traditional medicines in hospitals. There should not be anyone who should dissuade people from administering herbs for treatment. We used to chew leaves and then give them to our children whenever they fall ill.

         In Bulawayo, we used to have the Umkhomo tree. I cannot remember the names of other trees but the majority know that they are selling medicines that are chewed by the mother and the mother gives the child orally and then the child wakes up – it is called umbondo tree. If a child has a stomach problem, if the mother chews the umbondo tree and gives the medicine to the child's orally, the child gets better.

We are grateful that our Government has allowed us to talk about this subject.  We thank you for affording us the opportunity to speak on the traditional medicines that we are knowledgeable about. I thank you.

HON. KAMBUZUMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. C. MOYO: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume: Wednesday 19^th March 2025.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

         HON. KAMBUZUMA: I move that we revert to Order Number 16 on today’s Order Paper.

         HON. C. MOYO: I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

ENACTMENT OF LAWS THAT ADDRESS THE PLIGHT OF WOMEN IN ACCESSING THE WOMEN’S MICRO FINANCE BANK SERVICES

Sixteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the critical

role played by women in the economic development of the nation.

Question again proposed.

HON. MGUNI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity to say a few words on this motion brought in by Hon. Dr. Khupe on women’s development and empowerment. Mr. Speaker Sir, women worldwide, are known to be very industrious. In our country, more women than men are participating in business. Women’s participation in the economy in Africa as a whole is crucial in achieving gender equality and promoting inclusivity and economic growth. Despite facing numerous challenges, African women make significant contributions to their economies whether through business, farming, entrepreneurship, or unpaid care work. Women face a lot of challenges:

(1) Limited access to education and vocational training hinders them to compete in job market and financial management of their businesses.

(2) Cultural and social barriers. Traditional gender roles and stereotypes restrict women’s participation in economic activities and limit their access to resources and opportunities.

(3) Lack of access to finance. Credit and other financial services make it very hard to start or grow a business.  Mr. Speaker Sir, women in and around Africa as a whole have made significant strides in business.  Women produce approximately 80% of production in the sub-Saharan region.  Women also dominate the informal sector in Zimbabwe with 80% of women living in the rural areas and 70% engaged in agriculture.  The women’s bank should provide access to financial services by providing loans and other financial services that include business training and women empowerment which will help them start or grow their businesses. The Women’s Bank can help reduce poverty in both urban and rural areas by giving loans that have low interest rates.

Rwanda has made significant strides in promoting women’s economic empowerment through initiatives like the Rwanda Women’s Network, which has provided financial education to over 450 women per year and financed them through collaboration with financial institutions.

 So, the Zimbabwe Women’s Bank can consider the following strategies to assist women in economic activities.

1. Financial Service. By microfinancing which offers favourable terms such as low interest rates and flexible payment schedules. Savings accounts with attractive interest rates which will encourage women to save and building capital.
2. Offer capacity building, provide training and mentorship by training them on entrepreneurship, business management and financial literacy. To hold also workshops and seminars, to provide mentorship programmes for guidance and support network opportunities.
3. The bank can help establish networks to connect, share knowledge and collaborate. Hold fairs and exhibitions for women to showcase their products and services.  To provide access to new markets, technology and resources. To establish training on how to start a business, teach them the need for a clear business plan which includes them doing detailed short analysis.  Afford women the opportunity to access supply chains and procurement opportunities.
4. Number four, to help them with technology and innovation, offer training programmes in digital literacy, e-commerce and digital marketing.  To introduce financial technology solutions such as mobile payment and digital wallets to increase financial inclusion. To establish innovation hubs to support women and develop innovative solutions and programmes.
5. To do advocacy and policy support. To conduct research on policies and regulations that affect women's participation.  Advocate for policies and regulations that support women's economic participation. To partner with Government agencies to develop and implement policies that are favourable to women's economic involvement.

In conclusion, women's banks should implement all these strategies in order to efficiently support women on their various economic activities. To promote financial inclusion and contribute to the country's growth and development.  I thank you.

HON. DR. KHUPE:  I move that the debate do now adjourn.

HON. C MOYO:  I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

Debate to resume:  Wednesday, 19^th March, 2025.

On the motion of HON. KAMBUZUMA seconded by HON. C MOYO, the House adjourned at Twenty-Three Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.