Mnangagwa Reshuffles Cabinet as Kirsty Coventry Leaves for IOC Presidency, Anselem Sanyatwe Appointed as New Minister

Harare, March 25, 2025 – Zimbabwe's President, Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, has announced a major reshuffle in the government, with the departure of Honourable Kirsty Coventry from her role as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture. Coventry has been relieved of her duties following her election as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a move described as a "well-deserved achievement" in an official government statement.


In a subsequent decision, the President has appointed retired Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe as Coventry's replacement. Prior to this appointment, Sanyatwe was serving as the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army and a senior leader in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. His retirement from the military and reassignment as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture was executed under constitutional provisions, signaling a shift from military service to civilian leadership.

The changes, confirmed in official press statements issued by Dr. M. Rushwaya, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, took effect immediately. This reshuffle marks a significant transition, with a decorated athlete-turned-minister leaving for an international role, while a former military leader steps into a key ministerial position.