HARARE – Delta Corporation has unveiled a new opaque beer, Leopard Extra, as it moves to meet growing demand for affordable alcoholic beverages in Zimbabwe’s changing economic environment.

The new product is packaged in 1.25-litre bottles and has an alcohol content of 5%, positioning it as a stronger and cost-effective option for consumers. It is mainly aimed at high-density suburbs and rural communities, where traditional opaque beer continues to be widely preferred.

According to the company, the launch is a direct response to increasing price sensitivity among consumers, as many households adjust their spending due to ongoing economic pressures. By introducing Leopard Extra, Delta aims to offer a product that balances affordability with quality.

This move is part of Delta’s wider strategy to protect its market position in the face of rising competition from smaller brewers and informal alcohol producers. At the same time, the company is focusing on innovation within its traditional beer segment to retain customer loyalty.

Distribution and Market Outlook

Delta plans to distribute Leopard Extra nationwide using its well-established supply network, which covers both formal retail outlets and informal trading channels.

The company remains a dominant force in Zimbabwe’s beverage industry, with a strong portfolio that includes opaque beers, lagers, soft drinks, and spirits.

Market analysts note that opaque beer continues to play a major role in the sector, contributing significantly to overall sales. Established companies like Delta are relying on strong branding, large-scale production, and wide distribution to stay ahead in a competitive market.

The performance of Leopard Extra will be closely watched, as it reflects how major beverage producers are adapting to shifting consumer needs and tighter economic conditions.

National Expansion Planned-Minister Garwe  

After more than two decades of relentless water scarcity, a new era of relief has dawned for the residents of Borrowdale.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Honourable Daniel Garwe has declared a resolute commitment to eradicating the protracted service delivery crisis, with taps now flowing in parts of the community since Thursday.

Hon. Garwe, speaking to Hurumende News, unequivocally stated that the government “means business” in its endeavor to restore consistent water supplies.

This pivotal development brings profound hope to communities that have endured 20 to 25 years of erratic or non-existent water provision, forcing families to resort to rainwater harvesting and other precarious alternatives that posed significant health risks.

On Friday, Hon. Garwe, accompanied by Helcraw Water Chief Executive Hon. Farai Jere and officials from Laison Technologies, toured the affected households.

Residents, overwhelmed with emotion, described the moment as nothing short of a miracle after years of hardship.

“This is the Second Republic delivering,” Garwe affirmed, confidently asserting that Harare’s long-standing water woes are now a relic of the past.

This transformative intervention is an integral part of a broader smart water metering project, a collaborative effort between the City of Harare and its private partner, Helcraw Water.

The sophisticated system incorporates prepaid meters, remote data collection capabilities, advanced anti-tamper technology, and real-time monitoring.

These features are designed to significantly boost revenue collection, enhance operational efficiency and drastically reduce the water losses that have historically plagued Harare’s infrastructure.

Already, over 60,000 households across Harare have been equipped with prepaid meters under this initiative, which authorities credit with curbing leakages and fostering greater accountability within billing systems.

Furthermore, Helcraw has intensified its efforts in rehabilitating the Morton Jaffray Water Works, the capital’s primary treatment plant, aiming to augment water production and ensure a more consistent supply.

In a significant announcement, Minister Garwe revealed that this successful program will be expanded to 92 local authorities across the country.

This nationwide rollout is positioned as a crucial stride towards achieving Zimbabwe’s ambitious goal of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

Residents, who have grappled with the water crisis for generations, have welcomed this monumental development with cautious optimism, urging their communities to diligently safeguard the newly restored water supply.

Mrs Nola Dollar, a Rolf Valley resident, remarked that these changes represent tangible progress in service delivery.

During his visit, Minister Garwe, alongside engineers and Helcraw Water CEO Farai Jere, personally tested the water on-site, expressing complete satisfaction with its quality.

This assurance follows previous complaints from residents regarding unsafe and foul-smelling water, issues that Helcraw officials confirm have been comprehensively addressed through extensive infrastructure upgrades adnd pipe replacements.

Cde Vivian Vimbai Maponga, President for Youth in Politics and Governance and a newly recognised African Icon, yesterday electrified the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) with a powerful and unequivocal demand for the full economic integration and empowerment of women across all sectors.

Her impassioned tour of the nation’s premier trade exhibition served as a rallying cry, challenging both policy-makers and industry leaders to dismantle barriers and actively cultivate female leadership in agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mining.

Cde Maponga’s presence at ZITF 2026, held under the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,” showed her unwavering commitment to fostering a generation of fearless, purpose-driven women at the forefront of Africa’s economic destiny .

Her message was clear: true industrialisation is unattainable without the active participation and leadership of women.

Fresh from her nomination for the prestigious Icons of Africa Awards 2026, where she will be honored for her dedication to shaping Africa’s political landscape and championing youth empowerment, Cde Maponga arrived in Bulawayo with a renewed sense of purpose.

“This award fuels my resolve to redouble efforts in empowering the girl child and young women across Zimbabwe and the broader African region,” she said.

“Women are the Backbone of Our Food Systems.”

Touring the agricultural exhibits, Cde Maponga highlighted the indispensable role of women in food production, advocating for a paradigm shift from subsistence to industrial-scale empowerment.

“As I walk through these halls at ZITF, witnessing the innovations in agriculture, I am reminded that women are the backbone of our food systems.

“We must move beyond subsistence farming and empower our female farmers with access to land, technology and markets. It is through their enhanced participation that we will truly industrialize our agricultural sector and ensure food security for our nation and the region.”

The vibrant SME sector, often a hotbed of female entrepreneurship, drew particular attention from Cde Maponga.

She lauded the resilience of women-led businesses while simultaneously challenging systemic obstacles.

“The vibrancy of our SMEs at ZITF is undeniable. Many of these businesses are driven by resilient women entrepreneurs,” she observed. “To truly craft an integrated economic landscape, we must dismantle the barriers they face, lack of capital, limited access to training and restrictive policies.

Investing in female-led SMEs is not just about gender equality; it is a strategic imperative for job creation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.”

Perhaps her most audacious call came from the mining pavilions, a sector historically dominated by men.

Cde Maponga envisioned a future where women are central to its operations and leadership.

“The mining sector, often perceived as male-dominated, holds immense potential for female empowerment.

“My visit to the mining exhibits here at ZITF reinforces my belief that women can and should play a more significant role, from artisanal mining to executive leadership.

We need deliberate policies that promote their safety, provide technical skills and ensure equitable opportunities. Empowering women in mining means unlocking new efficiencies and fostering responsible resource management for our collective prosperity.”

In a powerful summation of her ZITF experience, Cde Maponga reiterated her overarching vision for a truly integrated and equitable economy.

“The ZITF theme, ‘Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,’ perfectly encapsulates my vision for female empowerment.”

“It is not enough to empower women in one sector; we must ensure their presence and influence are felt across agriculture, SMEs, mining, and every facet of our economy.

Their unique perspectives, resilience, and leadership are indispensable for building a truly integrated, competitive, and prosperous Africa.”

Cde Maponga’s tour of ZITF 2026 was more than just an attendance; it was a strategic platform to amplify her urgent call for a female economic revolution, positioning women as indispensable architects of Zimbabwe’s and Africa’s industrial future.