By Everisto Zhuwao

President Emmerson Mnangagwa honoured the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, as the Overall Best Performing Cabinet Minister of 2025 during a prestigious ceremony held in Harare on Monday.

The recognition took place at the 2026 Performance Contracts Signing and Awards Ceremony, where the Head of State evaluated the annual performance and efficiency of government officials.

Minister Rwodzi received the top accolade for her dedicated leadership and the significant growth achieved within the tourism sector over the past year.

Her ministry successfully implemented strategies that increased visitor arrivals and enhanced the country’s hospitality infrastructure. This award highlights her commitment to public service and her ability to drive meaningful transformation in one of Zimbabwe’s most vital economic sectors.

During the event, President Mnangagwa emphasised that performance contracts serve as a key tool for ensuring accountability and excellence within the Second Republic. The ceremony was attended by government dignitaries and stakeholders who witnessed the signing of new performance agreements for the upcoming year.

The recognition of Minister Rwodzi stands as a testament to her visionary approach in marketing the nation as a premier travel destination.

The achievement also reflects the collective effort of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in aligning its goals with national development priorities. By securing this award, Minister Rwodzi has set a high standard for administrative excellence and results-orientated governance.

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has officially released the timetable for nationwide public consultations on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026. The hearings, covering all ten provinces, are set to run from March 30 to April 2, 2026.

The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, led by Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, says the consultations are part of a “nationwide engagement” process aimed at ensuring citizens have a voice in proposed constitutional reforms.

Key Proposals in the Bill

The Amendment Bill proposes several significant changes to the 2013 Constitution, including:

Presidential Selection: Shifting from a direct general election to a parliamentary system, where the President would be elected by a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly.

Term Extensions: Adjusting the presidential term and the lifespan of Parliament, which could move the next general election from 2028 to 2030.

Senate Appointments: Allowing the President to nominate ten additional senators based on professional expertise.

Voter Registration: Returning voter registration responsibilities from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General.

Government officials describe these changes as a step toward aligning Zimbabwe’s governance system with global best practices, encouraging more efficient parliamentary oversight, and strengthening leadership accountability.

Concerns Over Compressed Schedule

Some policy analysts and civil society groups have raised concerns about the short four-day consultation period. The schedule includes “doubleheaders,” with morning and afternoon sessions in different locations, which critics say could make it difficult for citizens, particularly those in rural areas, to participate meaningfully.

“The intention is positive, but the timeline may limit full public engagement,” said one policy expert. Church groups and human rights organizations have echoed these concerns, stressing that constitutional changes should reflect broad and inclusive input from all citizens.

Potential Benefits of the Bill

Supporters argue that the Amendment Bill could modernize Zimbabwe’s governance framework. By enabling the parliamentary election of the President and allowing professional appointments to the Senate, the reforms aim to:

Promote greater expertise and oversight in legislative processes.

Strengthen continuity and stability in governance.

Encourage efficient decision-making while maintaining public accountability.

Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has emphasized that the hearings are a critical opportunity for citizens to contribute to shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s governance. “This is a broad constitutional evolution designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and alignment with successful governance practices worldwide,” he said.

As the hearings approach, the debate continues over the adequacy of the consultation period, but the government remains committed to engaging the public on these transformative reforms.

Zimbabwe’s efforts to gain more value from its large lithium deposits are starting to bear fruit, with four lithium sulphate processing plants expected to begin operations before the end of the year.

The facilities, which are at different stages of construction across the country, form part of the government’s broader plan to shift Zimbabwe from exporting raw minerals to producing higher-value lithium products used in modern battery technology.

Demand for lithium has grown significantly worldwide in recent years, largely due to the expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

Government officials say progress in lithium processing projects has accelerated following policy measures aimed at promoting local mineral beneficiation.

Zimbabwe recently placed restrictions on the export of raw lithium concentrates in order to encourage mining companies to process the mineral within the country.

Authorities believe this strategy will allow Zimbabwe to retain more economic value from its natural resources while also promoting industrial growth.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Pfungwa Kunaka, said the policy is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure the country benefits more from the global lithium value chain.

Speaking during a stakeholder workshop on energy minerals in Kadoma, Kunaka said many lithium-producing nations are now prioritising the processing of the mineral into higher-value products rather than exporting it in raw form.

Several projects are expected to drive the next stage of lithium beneficiation in Zimbabwe. These include developments linked to Bikita Minerals as well as new processing facilities in areas such as Goromonzi, Arcadia and Kamativi.

The plants are expected to produce lithium sulphate and related compounds used as intermediate materials in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.

Officials say these developments could help lay the foundation for a domestic battery minerals industry.

The developments in the lithium sector were discussed during a workshop organised by the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe.

The event is part of a parliamentary inquiry into Zimbabwe’s energy minerals sector that began in 2025.

Committee chairperson Remigio Mtangira said legislators plan to visit mining communities to gather input from residents and other stakeholders affected by mining activities.

He noted that energy minerals such as lithium and coal play a major role in Zimbabwe’s economy through electricity generation and the production of foreign currency.