Zimbabwe diplomats to sign performance contracts

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has rallied Zimbabwe's diplomats worldwide to attract  investments, boost tourism, and enhance trade opportunities.

To this end, all the country's diplomats will in future sign performance contracts with a view to acknowledging and recognising the best performing missions, based on clearly stipulated criteria and measurable outcomes.

This initiative seeks to enhance Zimbabwe's foreign policy, increase trade and investment inflows and strengthen relations with the comity of nations.

In his address at a meeting with Zimbabwe's Ambassadors at State House in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the upscaling of the country's economic diplomacy currently being championed by the Second Republic, was a top priority.

Zimbabwe's diplomats, he said, had the sacred duty to effectively and wholeheartedly advance the country's development agenda.

"In this regard, you are directed to stay vigilant and abreast regarding regional and global dynamics. The protection of our sovereignty and national interests must always be paramount.

"I once again, urge you all to diligently and honourably execute your duties and functions. Results at your respective posts will judge your performance.

"The casual and lackadaisical approach to business will not be condoned. We seek increased investments from your countries of accreditation, along with tourism and trade opportunities for the development and prosperity of our nation," President Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe has been strengthening existing friendships while exploring new economic partnerships, and to this end, the President expressed the country's readiness for new mutually beneficial relations.

"The roadmap is already established within our foreign policy; let it guide your actions. Through our focus, unity, dedication and hard honest work, let us individually and collectively do our part to see Zimbabwe rise to its rightful place within the comity of nations.

"To date, trade relations and partnerships initiated and strengthened under the Second Republic have been transformational to our socio-economic growth.  

"Our arms remain outstretched for new endeavours, hence, the economic diplomacy being championed under my administration should continue to scale up trade and investment promotion, including tourism and building robust industries that support local production for economic growth," he said.

President Mnangagwa challenged diplomats to correct the false narratives peddled by the country's erstwhile detractors, by highlighting the existence of economic sanctions and their negative impact on the general populace.

"Let us continue to positively project our national image and positions at the United Nations and within the broader international community.

"You, our Ambassadors and Representatives, are the face of our great country. I expect you all to mount a formidable campaign.

"I also challenge you to correct wrong narratives about Zimbabwe by highlighting the existence and negative impacts of the illegal sanctions imposed on us by some Western countries.

"While we acknowledge that the illegal sanctions are a reality, we are resolute in pursuit of our Vision, guided by our mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo'".

He said guided by the principles of patriotism, loyalty, integrity, unity, love and hard work, Government will persist on the ongoing thrust of addressing the needs of the people of Zimbabwe.

"In March this year, Government launched the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. Additionally, political and legislative reforms were undertaken, informed by our national interests that you should clearly articulate at all times. Equally, you should tell a story of our country that embodies our vision, values, culture, hopes, aspirations and the resilience of our people."

President Mnangagwa said it was important that the country's Missions abroad scale up activities towards advancing the realisation of upper-middle-class economic status by 2030.

"Remain mindful that I expect high impact and focused results in all engagements, programmes and activities at your respective missions.

"I, thus, challenge each of you to apply yourselves fully to deliver the results expected of you from both the Ministry and national levels.

"I look forward to a time when this gathering will include highlights and recognition of the best-performing Missions, based on clearly stipulated criteria and outcomes," said the President.

As SADC Chair, Zimbabwe is currently leading various programmes and projects stipulated in the SADC development blueprints.

Considering this, President Mnangagwa said it was the diplomatic corps' duty to ensure the country's tenure as Chair is a success.

"Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Chairmanship of SADC since August 2024 entails that our nation is leading various programmes and projects outlined in the SADC development blueprints.

"The theme of Summit was; ‘Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC.' This reflects the ongoing thrust to accelerate innovation and industrialisation within the region.

"The Foreign Affairs Ministry and in particular you here gathered must ensure that Zimbabwe's tenure is a success," he said.

The ever-changing global landscape and constantly mutating international relations called for Zimbabwe's diplomats to become more agile, adaptive and innovative, said the President.

"All these external and internal dynamics demand that you all shift, re-think and re-imagine the manner we approach our country's foreign relations.

"You must be more agile, adaptive and innovative to guarantee that our beloved motherland derives the most favourable benefits from this reality. Zimbabweans by nature are not a people who mourn or merely complain.

"We are action-oriented, a resilient people and trailblazers. I expect these traits to be evident in the results that must come from your respective Missions," he said.

President Mnangagwa said notable growth milestones are being recorded in spite of the illegal sanctions and impacts of climate change, particularly in agriculture, mining, education and infrastructure development, among others.

"The investments and partnerships from various jurisdictions which continue to grow and broaden are commendable."

With regard to the Arrears Clearance Process, President Mnangagwa re-emphasised Government's commitment towards the structured dialogue process.

He then charged the country's ambassadors to continuously engage the Diaspora community.

"A critical cog in the Second Republic's Foreign Policy is the diaspora community.  You are, therefore, required to engage them at every opportunity and facilitate their needs as we build our country together, those abroad and at home," the President said.

The Ambassadors also attended the Zanu-PF Annual National People's Conference held in

 Bulawayo recently and thereafter a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade retreat in Gweru.

President Mnangagwa said the two served as reminders of what was expected of them at their various Missions.

"I am aware that you all attended our ruling Party's 21st National People's Conference in Bulawayo, and thereafter proceeded to your Senior Management Retreat, which I understand was insightful, paradigm shifting and a resounding success.

"Your participation at these two events is commendable, the outcomes of which must serve as constant reminders of the expectations placed upon you.

"Further, these two significant events should have given you a broad overview of the developments across all socio-economic sectors and within our ruling Party, ZANU-PF.

"Information you have gathered during this period should help you to better deliver in the course of your duties and responsibilities," he said.

The diplomats also visited President Mnangagwa's Precabe Farm in Kwekwe, Midlands Province.

"I thank you all for your visit to Precabe Farm and trust that you found the excursion both inspiring and educational. As a nation, with focus, hard work and sacrifice, we can achieve great exploits.

"At individual level, I also challenge you to make a mark by contributing to the prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe," he said.

Government, said the President, was implementing bold, people-centred and transformative policies.

"We are encouraging production and productivity, anchored on ICTs, innovation and modern technologies, while we also continue to stabilise our economy.

"I trust that during your Retreat and Strategic Management Review, various stakeholders updated you on the progress realised in the various sectors of our economy.

"Going forward, it is incumbent upon you to develop and nurture complementary synergies with a cross-section of investors and partners in your various stations for enhanced win-win benefits.

"These must extend to the quest for value addition of our abundant natural resources, agriculture products, as well as co-operation in our education sector and social services in general," he said.

President Mnangagwa said it was also encouraging to note that more farmers were treating farming as a business, while also reiterating that the Land Reform Programme was irreversible.

"Regarding our land, let me once again emphasise that Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme is behind us and irreversible. Our Constitution and other legislative provisions ensure that agricultural land administration includes mechanisms to protect the legacy and the benefits of the Land Reform.

"It is commendable that there is a noticeable shift among Zimbabwean farmers, particularly among beneficiaries of the Land Reform, who are increasingly treating farming as a business.

"This is resulting in sustainable livelihoods while enhancing household incomes and economic value," he said.

Dean of Zimbabwe's Ambassadors, who is also Zimbabwe's chief diplomat to Ghana, Ambassador Kufa Chinoza, said the diplomats would rise to the occasion.