Tiyani Hahlani

In a landmark policy shift, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has formally empowered Zimbabwe’s traditional leaders with expanded authority to govern land and natural resources — a bold move aimed at ensuring that mining and investment proceeds finally benefit long-marginalized rural communities.

The announcement was made at the 2025 Annual Chiefs Conference, attended by traditional leaders from across the country and held under the theme: “Accelerated Attainment of Vision 2030 for an Upper Middle-Income Economy Anchored on Vibrant Traditional Leadership Institutions and Systems.”

Addressing the gathering, President Mnangagwa stressed that the conference was a crucial platform for assessing progress in rural development while reinforcing the responsibility of traditional leaders to protect national resources for the collective good.

“We commend our Chiefs for the successes we continue to witness in the agricultural space, as the Pfumvudza-Intwasa programme, winter wheat, Village Business Units (VBUs), livestock, fisheries and horticulture projects are having an impact on productivity across the country.

“These initiatives are improving household income and livelihoods,” he said.

Calling chiefs “the custodians of the land,” Mnangagwa urged them to ensure that investment projects are conducted responsibly and sustainably so that women and youth in their communities fully benefit from local natural resources.

He also challenged key institutions — including the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, local councils, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Forestry Commission — to consult communities during Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), emphasising that chiefs must be central to decision-making.

As the conference continues, its agenda is now shaped by this significant shift: translating presidential authority into real socio-economic gains and stronger environmental stewardship for rural communities.

Mnangagwa further urged the nation to unite in combating gender-based violence, drug use and substance abuse, warning that these social ills threaten national well-being.

“Our nation cannot afford to suffer from the scourge of drug and substance abuse, as well as gender-based violence. Let us all work together under a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to fight these and other negative social vices,” he said.