ZERA to tighten screws on solar energy products

Writes Elvis Dumba  Chinhoyi – The Zimbabwe Energy Regulating Authority (ZERA) has come up with plans to regulate the green energy sector through proposed Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations that will ensure quality and safe solar energy production in the country in line with its rural electrification drive. The energy regulator is currently conducting…

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149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly spotlights science and technology for sustainable development

Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Advocate Jacob F.N Mudenda, and President of the Senate, Hon. Mabel M. Chinomona, are leading a Zimbabwean Parliamentary delegation to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland where issues of science and technology are under the spotlight.   The Assembly and Related Meetings are scheduled for 12th to…

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Zimbabwean Parliament Hosts JICA Advisor, Looks to Japan’s Development Model for Inspiration

The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Advocate Jacob F.N. Mudenda, delivered remarks at a lecture on 8 October 2024, welcoming Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Mudenda’s speech was nothing short of a tribute to JICA’s monumental impact on Zimbabwe’s development. He passionately highlighted…

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Early Child Marriages a key driver of GBV: Chiefs tackling the vice in rural areas

Writes Sowell Chikwari The rampant practice of early child marriages in rural and communal areas has been cited as a major driver of Gender-based violence, a vice that has consumed many communities, leaving behind a trail of broken families. Speaking at a recent workshop held in Mvurwi, traditional leaders bemoaned the proliferation of GBV and…

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SRHR key in achieving health equity: Parliament

The launch of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative by the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) demonstrates a commitment to promoting health equality and equity in pursuit of fostering economic growth and upholding human rights.   In his keynote address, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, the Speaker of…

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Integrate digital literacy in education: PAP Speakers of Parliaments

The 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments, which brings together heads of legislative organs from across the continent, kicked off at the precincts of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, amidst calls for Africa to integrate digital literacy in its education curricula and implement effective policies that enhance the…

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PAP MPs demand involvement in election of next Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission

Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have demanded greater involvement of the Continental Legislative body in the processes leading to the election of the next Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission (AUC).   Leading the charge, Senator Danson Mungatana, leader of the Kenyan delegation to the Pan-African Parliament, stressed the need for the contestants vying…

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Pan-African Parliament Bureau briefs the Diplomatic Corps on the Sitting of Permanent Committees

The 6th Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by President Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, held the traditional pre-sitting meeting with the African ambassadors accredited to the Republic of South Africa on Thursday. The Bureau briefed African diplomats on the status of preparations for the Sitting of the Permanent Committees and other Organs of the…

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Renewable energy, food security, and digital economy topical at Second Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum

In her keynote address during the official opening of the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum in Bali, Indonesia on 1 September 2024, Her Excellency, Dr. Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, said there is a need for strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Africa in the arena of renewable energy, food…

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Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum to foster social justice and sustainable economic development

The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Honorable Advocate Jacob F.N Mudenda arrived in Bali, Indonesia on 30th August 2024, where is attending the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Summit running from 31st August – 2nd September at the Grand Hyatt Hotel meant to foster social justice and sustainable economic development.   Speaker Mudenda is accompanied by the…

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Bishop Nhiwatiwa to be deported for travelling on wrong visa to Nigeria

OWN CORRESPONDENT   The United Methodist Church (UMC)’s Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, arrived in Nigeria on August 21, 2024, to meet with UMC members and facilitate the election of a new Nigerian Bishop who was initially detained in Yola, Adamawa State, and subsequently transferred to Abuja on allegations of intentions to promote same-sex marriage in that…

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UMC’s Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa detained in Nigeria on accusations of promoting same-sex marriage

OWN CORRESPONDENT   The United Methodist Church (UMC)’s Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, who arrived in Nigeria on August 21, 2024, to meet with UMC members and facilitate the election of a new Nigerian Bishop, was detained in Yola, Adamawa State, and subsequently transferred to Abuja on allegations of intentions to promote same-sex marriage in that country….

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Women hail appointment of Justice Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

The Women Community In Africa (WCA) heartily congratulated His Lordship, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere- Ekun on her swearing-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the second woman to hold this office in that country. Global President of WCA, Dr. Adetoun Dally in a statement said, “Agreeably, women are making their impact felt in…

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Parliamentarians urged to formulate laws supporting CAADP strategy implementation

Hon Kasauta Saiti Michelo, a Member of the National Assembly for Bweengwa Constituency in Zambia who is also the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands, and Natural Resources, has urged African legislators to formulate laws that support the implementation of the Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).   He was speaking at the just-ended post-Malabo…

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Parliamentarians behind transformation of SADC PF into a fully-fledged SADC Parliament

Yesterday, the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda, led a high-level delegation in a strategic lobbying effort to secure Botswana’s support for the Transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) into a fully-fledged SADC Parliament under Article 9(1) of the SADC Treaty.   At his invitation, the delegation paid…

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SADC Heads of State urged to fulfil commitments to rights of women

Southern African women’s rights defenders are calling on heads of state meeting in Zimbabwe on SADC Day, 17 August, to fulfil their commitments to the rights of women in all their diversity.   “Tomorrow marks the sixteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development,” noted Emma…

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Calls to transform SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) into a SADC Parliament gain momentum

A fireside chat was held to discuss the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) into a SADC Parliament. The session was moderated by Rachel Gondo from the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) and featured panelists including SADC desk officers from various national parliaments and representatives from civil society organizations. Several issues arose from the…

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Youth urged to harness digital pathways for sustainable development

The Zimbabwe Youth Council joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 2024 International Youth Day yesterday and urged young people to harness digital pathways for sustainable development.   Addressing delegates at the sixth Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) yesterday held under the theme “Empowering the Future: Innovative Education for Sustainable Development in Africa”…

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Innovative farming solutions reduce human-wildlife conflict in the Southeast Lowveld

The Thematic Committee on Climate Change visited local farmers in Southeast Lowveld yesterday to explore an innovative solution to the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflict.   The farmers have devised a method using chilies to create smoke blocks, which are used to safely and effectively scare away elephants. This practice significantly reduces the risk of…

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Pan-African Parliament Commits to Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Rights and Empowerment

In line with its resolve to represent the voices of the people towards achieving the Africa we want, the Pan-African Parliament has embarked on a series of consultations that highlight the challenges African women have overcome and continue to face, while also celebrating their achievements and resilience. On the occasion of Pan African Women’s Day,…

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Conference reveals Artificial Intelligence (AI) as frontier of technological innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the frontier of technological innovation, offering unparalleled opportunities to bolster business processes and yield to the sustainable development agenda.   This was revealed by Hon. Advocate Jacob F.N. Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe at the occasion of the inaugural International Business, Governance and Accounting Conference (IBGAC) at the…

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Innovative mining strategies spur production for economic development: Parly Speaker Mudenda

Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda has urged the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development to play its role in ensuring the upscaling of mining productivity to enable Zimbabwe to attain greater heights of economic prosperity.   He made the call during the induction workshop for the Portfolio…

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PAP engages in continental integration: AU Executive Council backs its calls for more resources

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Chief Fortune Zephania Charmbira, is leading a high-level delegation of the Bureau and Secretariat to the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (6th MYCM) of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and Regional Mechanisms in Accra, Ghana from the 18th-21st July 2024. The Meeting is being held under the theme…

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MCAZ to regulate cosmetic products

In a move aimed at safeguarding consumer health and enhancing product quality, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for cosmetic products sold within the country.   The regulations, known as Medicines and Allied Substances Control (Cosmetics) Regulations seek to address growing concerns over the proliferation…

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War veterans to hold elective congress: Mahiya

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The liberation war veterans in the country will go to their elective congress any time soon once necessary logistics are in place, a ruling party politburo member has revealed. THE ZANU (PF) Secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, Cde Douglas Mahiya, said the war veterans are following instructions they…

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SADC-PF High-Level Conference: Integrate environmental sustainability with economic and social development

The curtain was drawn on the high-level Conference “Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa,” held at the Avani Windhoek Hotel in Namibia. The final day was graced by renowned sustainable development policy experts, including Claude Kabemba, Executive Director of the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW), whose insights and expertise underscored the conference’s…

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ZIMSOFF partners Parliamentarians in driving agro-ecology to address GBV and drug abuse

In partnership with Parliamentarians, the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) is fighting gender-based violence (GBV) and drug and substance abuse in communities by implementing various agroecology mechanisms. Speaking at a tour of their projects by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees (PPC) on Lands at the National Policy Dialogue recently, a Gutu small livestock farmer, Daizy…

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Parly Speaker Mudenda urges Southern African nations to develop sound strategies for climate action

Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda delivered a well-received and highly impactful keynote address at the Conference on “Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa,” at the Avani Windhoek Hotel, Namibia, where he urged Southern African nations to develop sound strategies for climate action. This meeting is being…

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High-level parliamentary conference focuses on fostering sustainable futures

Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda is currently in Windhoek to attend a high-level panel Workshop on “Fostering Sustainable Futures: Integrating Climate Resilience in Southern Africa”. Speaker Mudenda was received at the airport by Her Excellency, Mrs. Melody Chaurura, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Namibia. The workshop will…

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Gloves off as legal battle for war veterans leadership hots up

The battle for the control of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is far from over as Hon Monica Mavhunga has responded to an urgent chamber application lodged at the High Court by a faction of liberation war fighters aligned to Moffat Elias Marashwa. Hon Mavhunga responded to the case in the High…

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Zimbabwe’s Report on the 54th SADC PF Resolutions heralds commitment to sustainable development

On the 3rd of July 2024, during the session on the presentation of Country Reports, the Parliament of Zimbabwe presented its progress report on the Resolutions from the 54th SADC Parliamentary Forum Plenary Assembly Session held in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 22nd to 26th November 2023. The report reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional integration, climate…

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CAADP Post-Malabo Consultative Meeting: Parliamentarians driving accountability for agri-food transformation

As the African Union Commission embarks on the Post Malabo consultations roadmap, the Members of Parliament of the African States remain key stakeholders in influencing their governments’ budget processes that will enable member states to improve their agricultural productivity potential, with a focus on driving accountability for agri-food transformation. This emerged at a 3-day workshop…

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PAP working on legislation promoting free movement, increased intra-African trade

Members of the Pan-African Parliament have underscored the critical need for political and social stability to achieve the dream of a highly integrated and economically prosperous Africa. The Parliament has reiterated its commitment to facilitate the effective implementation of African Union (AU) policies, to promote intra-African trade, and to advocate for the ratification and domestication of the…

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SADC-PF urges SADC renewable energy policies, single regional energy market

During the 55th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Angola running from the 1st to the 7th of July 2024 in Angola, Hon Jacob F.N. Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe urged the Southern African Development Community to come up with renewable energy policies and a single energy market. “I am privileged…

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SADC-PF launches Strategic Plan 2024-2028 document in Angola during its 55th Plenary Session

On the 1st of July 2024, Speaker of Parliament, Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda who is in Luanda, Angola, for the 55th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community – Parliamentary Forum (SADC –PF), participated in the launch of the SADC PF Strategic Plan (2024 to 2028). The new Plan emphasizes capacity-building of National…

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PAP urges dialogue with CSOs for enhanced democracy, good governance

The Pan-African Parliament hosted its second dialogue session with civil society groups during the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament at its headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. This session was held under the African Union’s (AU) theme of the year, focusing on education. In his opening remarks, Mr. William Carew, Head…

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55th SADC-PF Plenary Session: Zimbabwe celebrates International Day of Parliamentarism

Speaker of Parliament, Hon Advocate Jacob F. N Mudenda is leading the Zimbabwean delegation in Luanda, Angola for the  55th Southern African Development Community – Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) which also coincides with the celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism. The delegation was welcomed by the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Angola, Ambassador Dr T. Madzvamuse. The…

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Ending hunger: PAP unveils model law on food and nutrition security

African Parliamentarians must prioritize and intensify the fight against hunger to achieve the continent’s mission of Ending Hunger, said the Pan-African Parliament President, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, while unveiling the “milestone” Model Law on Food and Nutrition Security in Africa in Midrand, South Africa. Adopted by the Pan-African Parliament Plenary on November 11, 2022, the purpose…

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Pan African Parliament workshop tackles deficiencies in the education sector

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has held a workshop on the African Union (AU) theme of the year 2024, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” In welcoming participants, Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, the President of the PAP,…

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Addressing drug and substance abuse critical to meeting national developmental goals

The United Nations in Zimbabwe is fully behind the vision and the implementation of the action plan to end substance and drug abuse and trafficking in pursuit of attaining sustainable development, His Excellency, Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Country Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has said. He made the remarks at the Launch of the National…

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Support Don’t Punish Campaign: ZCLDN calls for drug policy reform

On this Global Day of Action, Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), a peer-led initiative of people who use and inject drugs, joins the global community, in solidarity to commemorate the Support Don’t Punish Campaign. This year’s theme, “Expanding our Ecosystems of Change” resonates deeply with our mission to advocate for drug policy reform “…from…

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Chief Charumbira vows to revive PAP despite serious budgetary constraints

Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) has said the continental legislative organ of the African Union has returned to full operational functionality with a fully quorate Bureau but it is hamstrung by budgetary constraints. He made the remarks today during the official opening of the 3rd Ordinary Session of…

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High Court delivers judgment in favour of war veterans aligned to Elias Marashwa

The High Court on Friday delivered a judgment in favour of the applicants in respect of the Urgent Chamber Application submitted by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) led by Cde Elias Marashwa. The lawyer representing the first respondent and the second respondent told the High Court that he did not oppose what…

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Family support props inclusivity for women and girls with disabilities: MP, community leaders

Writes Nhau Mangirazi For eighteen-year-old Ratidzo Dakarai who is hard of hearing, her family has slowly become a small world of realities. Since her early youthful days, her daily routine starts off with household chores and helps in food preparation among other assignments. From the deep outlying rural area under Chief Mjinga, about 100 kilometers…

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Pan-African Parliament engages on strategic planning and alignment with Agenda 2063 ahead of Session

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convened a consultation meeting for its Bureau and other leadership structures of the Parliament on Results-based management and strategic planning ahead of the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament slated for  Monday, 24 June 2024. The workshop, opened by the President of the Continental Parliament, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, aimed to enhance the understanding and…

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