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Hosting Ramsar COP15 is a landmark in wetland conservation leadership

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Hosting Ramsar COP15 is a landmark in wetland conservation leadership

By Innocent Mujeri and Nathan Muchemwa in Victoria Falls 

In a world increasingly defined by environmental challenges, Zimbabwe has taken a significant step forward in cementing its role as a responsible and visionary steward of natural resources.

 

From 23 to 31 July 2025, the country proudly hosts the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at the majestic Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

This is not only a historic first for Zimbabwe, but a powerful symbol of the nation’s growing leadership in global environmental governance.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, established in 1971 in Iran, is the only international treaty focused specifically on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

 

COP15, bringing together delegates from over 170 contracting parties, scientists, policymakers, NGOs, and development partners, is a platform for nations to deliberate on best practices, exchange ideas, and adopt frameworks for wetland preservation.

The selection of Victoria Falls as the host site could not be more appropriate.

 

Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (The Smoke That Thunders), Victoria Falls embodies the very essence of wetlands: biodiversity, natural beauty, tourism potential, and ecosystem services that sustain both people and wildlife.

 

The surrounding Zambezi River floodplains and wetlands support one of Africa’s richest biodiversity corridors, offering an ideal backdrop for discussions on protecting such ecosystems worldwide.

 

Hosting COP15 here allows Zimbabwe to highlight its natural endowments, not merely as touristic spectacles, but as vital ecosystems deserving of deliberate conservation efforts.

 

Zimbabwe’s hosting of COP15 is a bold testament to the country’s renewed commitment to sustainable environmental management.

 

In recent years, the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, has made tangible strides in protecting wetlands that had long been degraded by urban expansion, agriculture, and climate change.

 

Initiatives such as the Wetlands Management Policy, the establishment of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the designation of Ramsar sites such as Driefontein Grasslands and Lake Chivero demonstrate Zimbabwe’s seriousness in implementing the Ramsar Convention at the national level.

 

By bringing COP15 to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe sends a message to the world: we are not only participants in global environmental agreements, we are leaders.

The last Ramsar COP (COP14) was held in November 2022 in a hybrid format, with sessions in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland.

 

That meeting produced the Wuhan Declaration, reaffirming the urgent need to protect wetlands amidst global biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.

 

It also adopted the Global Strategic Framework for Wetland Conservation 2025–2030, which now provides the guiding principles for COP15 deliberations.

 

Zimbabwe has taken this momentum seriously. In her official statement during the opening ceremony, Hon. Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, underscored the theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.”

 

She called for unity, investment, and political will in addressing wetland loss globally — with Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, poised to offer solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge and innovation.

Beyond the conference rooms and plenary sessions, the hosting of COP15 brings significant socio-economic benefits.

 

The influx of international delegates has already stimulated the hospitality industry, with hotels in Victoria Falls operating at near full capacity.

 

Tour operators, small businesses, and community projects around the area are enjoying a rare boost in visibility and income.

 

This aligns with Zimbabwe’s long-term strategy to leverage its environmental assets for economic development.

 

Wetlands are not just about frogs and birds — they are essential to food security, water purification, climate regulation, and ecotourism. Protecting them is not only a conservation imperative, but a developmental one.

One of the lesser-celebrated but most impactful aspects of COP15 has been the inclusion of youth voices and local innovators.

 

Young Zimbabwean environmentalists and university students have participated in side events and exhibitions, showcasing mobile apps for wetland monitoring, community-based mapping tools, and traditional practices for sustainable wetland use.

 

By nurturing this new generation of environmental stewards, Zimbabwe is investing not only in the future of its wetlands but in the long-term sustainability of its development model.

 

This is a departure from decades where environmental matters were relegated to the periphery of national discourse.

 

Zimbabwe’s moment as COP15 host is also a defining one for Africa. While wetlands cover roughly 10% of the continent, their degradation has accelerated due to population pressures, weak policy enforcement, and the effects of climate change.

 

Zimbabwe’s proactive hosting role sets a standard for other African nations to follow.

Indeed, the collaborative spirit exhibited at COP15 — from joint statements with SADC counterparts to technical working groups on transboundary wetlands — reflects an emerging consensus that African solutions must be part of the global wetland conservation narrative.

Hosting COP15 is not the end — it is a powerful beginning. Zimbabwe has gained global attention and acclaim, but this must now translate into real change on the ground.

 

Wetlands in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and other urban centres must be restored and protected from illegal settlements and pollution.

 

Communities must be empowered through education, incentives, and infrastructure to play a role in wetland management. And most importantly, political leaders must remain accountable to the commitments made on this global stage.

 

Zimbabwe has proven that it can lead, inspire, and shape a positive environmental future — not just for itself, but for the world. The ripple effects of COP15 will be felt for years to come. And for a country that has faced its share of challenges, this is a victory worth celebrating.

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Hon Gata pushes ‘Bill 3’ agenda: “This Law Will Transform Chipinge”

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Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Member of Parliament for Mutema-Musikavanhu, Honourable Angeline Gata, has launched an aggressive constituency-wide mobilisation campaign drumming up support for the controversial Bill Number 3, describing it as a non-negotiable vehicle for Vision 2030.

Addressing hundreds of villagers at a feedback meeting, Hon. Gata left no room for ambiguity, declaring that the proposed amendments are designed to “remove impediments” to the country’s quest to attain an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“We are here to educate and mobilise. This Bill is about unlocking resources and ensuring that no community, especially here in Mutema-Musikavanhu the biggest constituency in Chipinge Districtis left behind,” Hon. Gata.

The legislator, who won the seat in August 2023, emphasized that the new amendments would streamline governance structures and accelerate rural development, directly benefiting constituents who have long grappled with underdevelopment

Hon. Gata drew parallels between the Bill and tangible grassroots projects already transforming the area, including the recent commissioning of Tongogara FM and the planned development of 8,000 hectares of irrigation land.

“We have started with irrigation development because we are in Natural Region Five. We experience high temperatures. Bill Number 3 will ensure that such life-changing developments are protected and expanded,” she said.

She implored residents to look beyond politics and focus on the collective good.

“This is not about individuals. This is about our grandchildren.
When we say Vision 2030, we mean a Zimbabwe where every child in Mutema-Musikavanhu has access to development, education, and a bright future. That is what Bill Number 3 guarantees,” she added to thunderous applause.
empowerment .

Residents said, “Our MP is always giving us feedback from Parliament. She has proven why ZANU PF is a government of the people. We move together.”

As the Second Republic barrels towards Vision 2030, Hon Gata has vowed that Mutema-Musikavanhu will not just be a spectator but a “pacesetter” in the legislative process.

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Millions to Push Amendment Number 3: Madzibaba Enock

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In a powerful show of solidarity with the Second Republic’s legislative agenda, prominent apostolic sect leader Madzibaba Enock has thrown his weight behind the proposed Constitutional Amendment Number 3, calling on millions of his followers across the country to rally behind the Bill as a catalyst for economic empowerment.

Addressing a gathering of faith leaders and congregants at his Budiriro shrine over the weekend, the leader of the Johanne Masowe Nyenyedzi Nomwe sect declared that the amendment is a divine instrument meant to rejuvenate the economy and propel the nation towards the attainment of Vision 2030 and the goals of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2).

He urged the nation to disregard narratives portraying the amendment as a tool for partisan benefit, insisting that it is a vehicle for national prosperity.

“We Must Bury Our Differences”

Madzibaba Enock, whose real name is Hebert Senda, commanded a massive audience as he delivered what he termed a “message of unity and development.” He rallied the apostolic community, estimated to be millions strong, to become active participants in the national development agenda.

“The time for division is over. We must bury our political differences and become a united force,” Madzibaba Enock said. “Amendment Number 3 is not an agenda set to benefit ZANU PF but Zimbabwe as a whole. It is a gateway for us to stabilise our governance structures so that development can flow uninterrupted to every corner of this nation.”

He emphasised that the alignment of governance frameworks under NDS-2 is crucial for long-term planning. According to government policy, NDS-2, which runs from 2026 to 2030, is anchored on fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability, and robust value addition in sectors such as manufacturing and mining to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

The revered cleric framed the constitutional process not merely as a political exercise but as a practical tool for economic transformation that would directly benefit ordinary Zimbabweans.

“This amendment is an empowerment tool set to rejuvenate and propel the economy in line with Vision 2030,” he stated. “We cannot talk about building the country if we are constantly looking over our shoulders at the next election. We need the space to work, build industries, and pray for our leaders without the toxicity of perpetual politicking.”

His sentiments align with government assertions that longer planning horizons are necessary to see development programmes through to completion, allowing the fruits of NDS-2 to be fully realised.

The prophet, known for his close association with grassroots communities, stressed that national progress hinges on collective commitment, calling on citizens to look beyond partisan lines.

“Let us not be deceived by those who thrive on confusion,” Madzibaba Enock warned. “When we are united, God answers our prayers. When we are divided, we remain poor. We need to support this initiative so that our children can inherit a prosperous Zimbabwe.”

Rejecting False Narratives

Responding to criticism from some civil society organisations and legal experts who argue that the amendments consolidate executive power and undermine democracy, Madzibaba Enock dismissed these concerns as foreign to the values of the majority.

“Those crying foul are the same voices that do not want to see Africa rising,” he claimed. “We, the people of Zimbabwe living in townships and villages, know what we need. We need development, we need roads, we need clinics, and we need a government that is given the time to deliver. This Bill answers to us, not to critics in boardrooms.”

Despite the political heat surrounding the Bill, Madzibaba Enock concluded his address with a call for peace and tranquillity during the national discourse, urging his followers to remain law-abiding.

“We will support this with our prayers and our voices, but always in peace,” he said. “The church is a sanctuary for healing and transformation, and we are opening our doors to support the nation on this journey.”

Profile

Madzibaba Enock (born Hebert Senda) is a prominent Zimbabwean prophet and healer based in Budiriro, Harare, who leads the Johanne Masowe Nyenyedzi Nomwe Apostolic sect. While his early public profile was marked by a land dispute with the City of Harare over his shrine, his recent activities have reflected a significant shift toward active collaboration with government social programmes.

He has emerged as a key ally in the fight against drug and substance abuse, launching a campaign for a dedicated rehabilitation centre in Budiriro. This initiative was inspired by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s national crusade against drugs.

Madzibaba Enock has been engaging with government departments to bring the project to fruition, leveraging the church as a vehicle for rehabilitation and community engagement among the youth. His efforts position him as a religious leader committed to the social pillars of Vision 2030, complementing the economic and infrastructure goals outlined in NDS-1 and NDS-2.

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Minister Gata Meets Chipinge School Heads, Pledges Action on Education Challenges

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In a historic first for the district, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honorable Angeline Gata , met with school heads and key stakeholders from across Chipinge, vowing to tackle their grievances head-on while championing the Government’s empowerment agenda.

The high-level consultative interface, held at Chibuwe Technical High School, marked the first time Hon. Gata has convened such a direct forum with the district’s educational leaders. The meeting served as a platform for school heads to voice their challenges and concerns directly to the Deputy Minister.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Gata assured the attendees that their issues would not fall on deaf ears. She committed to escalating the matters raised to the relevant Government departments for urgent attention.

“I have heard your concerns and I want to assure you that I will raise them with the relevant ministries and departments. Your challenges are noted and, as Government, we are committed to finding lasting solutions,” said Hon. Gata.

Hon. Gata then pivoted the discussion towards national development, urging school heads to become active participants in the various empowerment projects being rolled out under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

She emphasized the critical role of educators in driving the country towards its Vision 2030 goals and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

“As educators, you are the pillars of your communities. I urge you to fully participate in the empowerment projects spearheaded by President Mnangagwa. It is through these initiatives that we will collectively build our communities and achieve Vision 2030 and NDS2,” she said.

The interface also provided a platform for school heads to brainstorm and identify viable projects that could uplift both their institutions and the surrounding communities. Hon. Gata noted that this collaborative spirit is essential for grassroots development.

In a significant announcement aimed at boosting morale, Hon. Gata revealed that the Government is actively crafting incentives for teachers.

She called for steadfastness from school heads, assuring them that their welfare remains a top priority.

“Remain steadfast and focused on your duty of shaping young minds. Government is working on crafting incentives to improve your welfare through these very empowerment projects, enhancing your livelihoods beyond the classroom,” she said.

In a gesture steeped in the cultural traditions of the Ndau people, Hon. Gata concluded the meeting by presenting each school head with a blanket as a token of appreciation for their dedication.

“This blanket, given in our Ndau tradition, is a small token of our profound appreciation for the work you do,” Hon. Gata said as she handed out the gifts.

The school heads expressed gratitude for the platform and the Deputy Minister’s receptive ear, describing the interface as a positive step towards a more collaborative future for education in Chipinge District.

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