President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, as the nation’s Commander-in-Chief, officiated at State House today where he formally conferred the rank of General on Emmanuel Matatu.
The long-serving officer, previously a Lieutenant General, assumes leadership of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces following his promotion under the constitutional and statutory provisions governing military appointments. His advancement and assumption of command became effective on 21 November 2025.
His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa today met the Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Mr Ahmed Bin Thalith, at State House, in yet another sign of the growing economic partnership between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates. Mr Bin Thalith reaffirmed ADNOC’s interest in expanding its role in Zimbabwe’s fuel supply chain, emphasising the company’s readiness to help stabilise the market and support competitive pricing for retail consumers. He also conveyed appreciation for the strong diplomatic ties between Harare and Abu Dhabi, noting that this political goodwill has created a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.
The meeting reflects Zimbabwe’s broader strategy of deepening engagement with Gulf nations that have become important players in energy, mining, and logistics across the region. For Abu Dhabi, Zimbabwe offers a strategic gateway into Southern Africa, while for Harare, the partnership promises enhanced energy security and access to more competitive global supply networks.
It is truly rich – almost laughable – for a descendant of immigrants, a man whose forebears were part of the same colonising wave that stole, plundered, and crushed whole continents, to stand up today and attack present-day immigrants without even seeing the blinding irony. Donald Trump speaks as though he is the “owner” of America, yet the only rightful owners of that land are the Indigenous peoples – the Native Americans his kith and kin displaced, exploited, and nearly erased.
And before he lectures anyone about “failed nations,” he should remember that Africa’s past and present are burdened by the slavery, colonisation, resource looting, and generational destruction inflicted by people who look exactly like him – people who built their wealth on African bodies and African minerals. More …
Zimbabwe today entered a new chapter of its development trajectory with the official launch of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the five-year economic blueprint that will guide national priorities from 2026 to 2030. The programme builds directly on the gains achieved under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and NDS1, positioning the country to accelerate its march toward Vision 2030.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, arrived at State House early in the afternoon, joining Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials and members of the diplomatic community for the highly anticipated event. President E.D. Mnangagwa later stepped in to formally open the proceedings, signalling the start of a critical policy cycle for Zimbabwe’s medium-term future. More …
A formal change-of-command parade was convened at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare, where Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi assumed operational and strategic command of the Zimbabwe National Army from outgoing Commander General Emmanuel Matatu. The ceremonial transfer of authority was presided over by the Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who officiated the handover in accordance with military protocol.
South Africans, let me be blunt from the start: Donald Trump has just handed you an unexpected blessing – a golden, flashing invitation to reclaim your land with the same unapologetic clarity that Zimbabwe showed the world two decades ago. If sanctions are already being imposed on you for crimes you did not commit, why continue tiptoeing around the core historical injustice that birthed this entire controversy: land stolen at the barrel of a colonial gun?
Trump’s message is a crude attempt to resurrect the old racist script that Africans are incapable of governing themselves or managing their own affairs. And instead of engaging the South African government with diplomacy and fact, he has chosen outright fabrication – the grotesque myth of a “white genocide.” More …
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has moved decisively to address the temporary cement shortages, outlining a clear and confident strategy that reflects the Second Republic’s commitment to maintaining economic stability while safeguarding consumers. The Ministry explains that the current pressures stem from a convergence of regional and domestic factors, including a widespread clinker shortage, scheduled maintenance at Sino Zimbabwe, and unexpected breakdowns at PPC and Lafarge. These challenges emerged at a time when Zimbabwe’s construction sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace, with national cement demand now almost three times higher than in 2017 – a direct reflection of the infrastructure boom driven by President Mnangagwa’s development agenda. Rather than signalling a structural problem, the temporary shortage underscores the scale of economic activity and the speed at which the country is developing.
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President E.D Mnangagwa has delivered a decisive and unambiguous message that marks a turning point in Africa’s approach to its natural endowments. His remarks signal not just a national stance but a continent-wide awakening: Africa will no longer permit its mineral treasures to be spirited away without producing real, measurable benefits for its own people.
In framing this new posture, President E.D Mnangagwa aligns himself with the emerging intellectual and political consensus across Africa – a recognition that the historic model of extraction, where foreign interests carted away raw materials for a fraction of their true value, was a structural trap that stunted development and entrenched dependency. That era, he asserts, is firmly behind us. More …
Under the direction of H.E. President E.D. Mnangagwa, Harare’s DCC 6 structures have been earmarked for an unprecedented package of empowerment and community upliftment initiatives, reflecting the Second Republic’s commitment to tangible development. Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei served as the emissary delivering the President’s commitments to the district.
To strengthen party organs and grassroots structures, US$450,000 has been allocated by the President, with the Main Wing, Women’s League, Youth League and War Veterans each receiving US$112,500. In keeping with the President’s philosophy of inclusive development, persons with disabilities in DCC 6 will receive US$50,000 in targeted support. More …
General Emmanuel Matatu has formally assumed command of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, taking over from General Philip Valerio Sibanda, who steps down into retirement. The transition marks a significant shift at the helm of the country’s military establishment.
This change of command signals continuity in stability while opening space for renewed strategic focus as the ZDF positions itself for evolving national and regional security demands.
Hi, I’m Dereck Goto. I use this space to think out loud about ideas, systems, power, and the quieter details that shape how we live and communicate. This blog isn’t about chasing trends or offering comfortable conclusions. It’s about asking better questions, challenging lazy narratives, and exploring issues with honesty and intellectual independence. Some posts are analytical, some reflective, and some deliberately provocative - but all are written with intention.