Country name Conventional Long Form: Republic of Zimbabwe

Conventional Short Form: Zimbabwe

Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy

Capital: Harare

Administrative Divisions: 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands.

Independence: 18 April 1980

National Day: 18 April

Legal System: Mixture of Roman –Dutch and English Common Law

Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal

Executive Branch: Chief of State

Executive President H.E Cde. E.D Mnangagwa (since 24 November 2017); The President is both the chief of State and head of Government.

The President appoints Co-Vice Presidents and the Cabinet

Co-Vice Presidents since 28 December 2017

(1) Rtd. Gen. Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga 

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the President.

Elections: Presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote for a 5-year term.

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament

(1) The Senate

• 66 elected members from the 60 Senatorial Constituencies (6 from each of the 10 provinces).
• 5 members appointed by the State President.
• 16 Chiefs elected from the Chief's electoral colleges, 2 from each of the eight rural provinces.
• The President and Deputy President of the National Chiefs Council elected by the National Council of Chiefs.

(2) The House of Assembly

• 210 members from the 210 House of Assembly Constituencies.

The Attorney General sits in both houses as an ex-officio member.

Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; High Court

Political Parties

Zimbabwe is a multiparty democracy and is home to tens of political parties.

Zimbabwe is situated in south-central Africa, covering an area of [390,000 sq. miles] - almost three times the size of England and the same size as California. It's northern border with Zambia is formed by the Zambezi, Africa's fourth largest river after the Nile, the Congo and the Niger. Mozambique lies to the east and the Limpopo river marks Zimbabwe's southern boundary with South Africa.

Physically, the country is divided by a high central plateau, known as the highveld. Most of this predominantly fertile plateau is 2000 metres above sea level and consists of mopane and msasa savanna woodlands. The most noteworthy mountainous region is the Eastern Highlands which run for nearly more than 100 km along the border with Mozambique comprising Nyanga, the Vumba and the Chimanimani Mountains at it's southern end. The underlying granite, exposed by millions of years of erosion, is seen in it's most dramatic form in the Matobo hills, south of Bulawayo.

 

Zimbabweans have a well deserved reputation for their friendliness and visitors of the country can be sure of a sincere and open welcome.

Zimbabwe's population stands at approximately 13 million with an annual growth rate of 3.5%. By Far the biggest percentage of the people belongs to the Shona groups who inhabit the north and east, followed by the Ndebele who mainly live in the south-west of the country. Other minority groups include the Batonga, people of the Zambezi valley who were re-settled when part of the valley was flooded to form the Lake Kariba and the Venda along the south-western borders.

English is the official language of Zimbabwe. Of the two main Bantu Speaking groups 60% speak Shona and 40% Ndebele.

Wildlife is the very essence of Zimbabwe's tourism. From the black and white rhinoceros at the Matobo National Park (34 kilometers South of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city) the sable and waterbuck at Nyanga National Park (located in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands) and the huge-tasked elephants at the Gonarezhou National Park (South Eastern Low veld of Zimbabwe), the country offers a rare opportunity to view animals in their natural habitats. A World Heritage site, Mana Pools which harbors Africa's "big five" (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard,buffalo ), is a must-see for tourists, while barely 30km from Harare, one can visit the Mbizi (zebra) Game Park for a touch of grace. Good visibility in most of the game parks presents a unique opportunity for tourists to walk unguided without the risk of being attacked by wild animals.

Conservation

Zimbabwe has a rich culture of wildlife conservation. In pre-colonial times, when the indigenous people survived on hunting and gathering, they killed only what they needed. All by-products were utilized; nothing was allowed to go to waste. As a result of this tradition of conservation, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1997 recognized Zimbabwe as a world leader in wildlife conservation.

Wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe is enshrined in the amended National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1990, which is administered by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. In terms of the Act, the Authority is responsible for training rangers and ensuring that the country has a thriving wildlife population.

Zimbabwe owes its robust wildlife population to the training policies of the Authority. Rangers are trained for an effective three years and re-examined every two years. The rangers have jurisdiction on both private and state land. The Authority also expects nothing less than the highest degree of discipline from the rangers, who accompany all safari guides on tours, meticulously recording every detail of the trip.

The Authority is launching a programme to protect the country's vulnerable rhino population, dubbed 'Operation Stronghold'. To show its determination to protect wildlife, the Authority has allocated over 60% of its 2007 budget towards the protection of animals. Some NGO's have also stepped in and donated equipment to ensure the project is a success.

The Authority has also designed training programmes for newly resettled farmers, most of whom lacked expertise on wildlife conservation. The new farmers have now been taught how to conserve wildlife. The Authority also encouraged those farmers who had excess wildlife on their properties not to cull but sell some of the animals to other farmers. Government's 2006 declaration that 'all wildlife whether on private or state land is state property' has buttressed the Authority's conservation activities. In terms of the law, any farmer who kills animals without prior permission from the Authority will be prosecuted. Resettled farmers are also required to submit an annual population report to the Authority to prevent unauthorized killing on private farms.

As a result of these conservation measures, the Zimbabwe elephant population has shot to 100 000 against the country's carrying capacity of 45 000. This has created competition between the elephants and rural communities as the elephants at times destroy vegetation and crops. To minimise these conflicts, therefore, the Government introduced the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE). Under the programme, communities took responsibility for managing wildlife in their own areas. As one scholar once said, 'for an environmental policy to be effective the local community needs to understand it and see itself as accruing benefits from the policy'. The National Parks and Wildlife Authority therefore only retains a supervisory role, while the rural communities themselves manage the wildlife. A wildlife committee is then appointed to take charge of counting animals, anti-poaching activities, environmental education and resolving conflicts which arise from 'problem animals.' Game scouts are also trained to help stop poaching and manage wildlife. Benefits that accrue to the communities as a result of this responsibility include new schools, grinding mills or cash payments to each household.

Although under CITES Zimbabwe's elephant populations are classified in Appendix 11 , prior authority has to be sought before any commercial shipments of raw ivory to export markets. Zimbabwe has thus been seeking authorization to export shipments of raw ivory to designated international markets. The profits obtained from the sales are ploughed back into wildlife conservation.

With numerous varieties of wildlife and good conservation policies it is easy to understand why wildlife is at the very heart of Zimbabwe's tourism and why Zimbabwe is the darling of wildlife lovers.

For more information visit www.tourism.gov.zw

Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe's economy and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. Although agriculture contributes only 11-14 percent of GDP, the sector provides employment for some 70 percent of the population, and about 60 percent of all raw materials for the industry. About 45 percent of the country's exports are of agricultural origin.

While most rain falls during summer months (November to March), some parts of the country, particularly in the Eastern Highlands, receive some rain during the winter months and this widens production possibilities. A considerable potential exists for the production of irrigated crops during dry months in areas where stored water supplies are available.

Recent droughts have caused the agricultural sector to experience crop failure and livestock losses, this greatly undermining the national herd now stands at 4,9 million, a figure well below the pre-drought situation.

Here is investment potential in the following areas:

-Citrus fruit production and processing

About 6000 hectares are under citrus cultivation in Zimbabwe. Citrus fruits grown include grapefruits, lemons, naartijies, nectarines and oranges. Types of oranges grown are in line with what the consumers want, which is a fruit of the right size, colour which must be orange, skin texture and good external and internal qualities.

-Mushroom production and processing

Potential export markets for Zimbabwean mushroom include Japan, SA, France, Italy, Germany and the USA.

-Soya bean production and processing

In Zimbabwe Soya beans contribute 30 % of all the cooking oil production while cottonseed contributes 50%.

-Tea and coffee production and processing

Tea is one crop that can be grown on a very small scale because of the productivity and its resistance to pests and diseases. Some farmers even plant it at the backyard of their homes.

-Floriculture

Zimbabwe is the second largest producer in Africa after Kenya and is the fifth producer in the world. There is a potential to expand the industry to three or four times larger and still remain profitable. This is based on the fact that the industry produces the cheapest flowers in Africa due to cost –effective production; the markets for the produce are available.

Honey production and processing

I Makoni District of Manicaland province, there are over 600 registered beekeepers, each with a minimum of four beehives. One beehive can yield 20 litres of honey per harvest. Harvesting is done three times a year for well managed hives. This translates to z$144 million per annum. After harvesting, honey can be further processed into clear syrup.

Poultry production and processing

The industry has a high potential for growth since Zimbabwe is ideally suited to poultry production due to the favourable mild climate that is ideal for chickens and for growing both maize and Soya which are main sources for the industry.

Wheat and Barley production and processing

Wheat is the second staple food in Zimbabwe after maize. Barley is used for production of clear beer. There is barley malt.

Pork production and processing

Pig industry is comprised of both small-scale and large scale pig producers who breed their own pigs and fatten them up to slaughter stage. Zimbabwe has excellent agriculture conditions for the competitive production of pigs.

Dairy production and processing

Zimbabwe is the second country after South Africa with an organised dairy industry in Africa.

Information courtesy of Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)

Zimbabwe has made remarkable progress in the area of health especially for the majority blacks who were marginalized during the colonial era. Prior to Zimbabwe's independence, the white minority had access to a first world, insurance-funded health care system, while the blacks enjoyed only the basic of medical services. It is worth noting that at independence in 1980, there were only four referral hospitals in the country. Two were in Harare, while the other two were in Bulawayo. Of these, two were reserved for whites, while the other two served the entire black population. The only access to health care for blacks in rural areas was through church-run clinics or clinics provided by white farmers for their workers. As a remedy to these glaring disparities, the Zimbabwean government made health care easily accessible to all through repairing, building and upgrading health facilities throughout the country. Now every Zimbabwean is within walking distance of a health facility. Training health workers and reorienting the emphasis to prevention and health promotion corrected inequalities in health manpower. Health care was also made free for those earning below the minimum wage. Consequently, Zimbabwe recorded remarkable achievements in important social indicators such as crude death rate, infant mortality and life expectancy.

Prior to independence, Zimbabwe had a fragmented and two tier medical system that was highly skewed in favor of the urban population in general and the white minority in particular. While there were approximately 280 doctors to service the country's 232 422 whites, there were only 850 doctors for the seven million Africans in 1978. The standards of health services for whites in Rhodesia were comparable to those of the populations of the industrialized West, with crude death rates at 8.2 per 1 000{cf to 11.2 per 1 000 in England and Wales} while infant mortality rates at 1977 were 17 per 1 000{cf 16 in England and Wales}. In comparison, African infant mortality rates were 122 per 1 000 and reached as high as 300 per 1 000 in remote areas like Binga. Government run urban health institutions, those serving the white community like Andrew Fleming, [now renamed Parirenyatwa] were not only better equipped and staffed but they also received a disproportionately large share of the health budget each year.

While health institutions abounded in the urban areas, the colonial government largely neglected the masses of Zimbabwean population in the countryside. Without the sterling work of church-run hospitals, the countryside would have received little or no medical attention. Even where government clinics existed, the long distances the rural people had to walk to reach them, together with the fees charged for treatment which were beyond the reach of many, tended to discourage the rural people from availing themselves of the services provided by such institutions.

Moreover, the emphasis of colonial medicine on curative rather than preventative care meant that the health needs of African majority were not addressed, since most of the diseases that affected African rural dwellers were mainly communicable diseases, maternity related problems and disease caused by nutritional deficiencies, all of which were preventable.

As a remedy to the above shortfalls, the Zimbabwean government soon after independence rationalized the health system, made it colour blind and equally accessible to all. It repaired 161 clinics which had been damaged by the war, built 163 new health centers and upgraded another 450 primary health care facilities throughout the country in the first four years of independence. Furthermore, training facilities for nurses at both government and mission institutions were increased. Due to the accessibility and availability of trained health personnel, the 2005 to 2006 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey revealed a marked increase in women visiting health institutions. It noted that 81% of mothers received at least one tetanus toxoid injection during pregnancy while 80% were assisted by a trained health professional at their last birth.

Immunization campaigns were stepped up, especially in the rural areas, oral rehydration was introduced for diarrhoea, breast-feeding was promoted alongside childhood supplementary feeding and improvements in water supply and sanitation. By 2006, the percentage of fully immunized children stood at 53%, as compared to only 25% in 1980. In addition, as a result of the child-feeding scheme introduced by the government under the Ministry of Health's Supplementary Feeding Programme, infant malnutrition declined from 29% to 16% between 1980 and 1987.

Concerned about the high birth rate in the country, the Ministry of Health set up the Zimbabwe Child Spacing and Family Planning Council in 1981 to promote the use of family planning methods and to supervise the teaching of family planning in the nation's schools. The contraceptive prevalence rate in the country has increased in the last 22 years from 38% in 1984 to 60% in 2006. So effective was this unit in disseminating family planning information and promoting child spacing methods that Zimbabwe is reputed to have the highest rate of contraceptive use in all Sub- Saharan Africa.

Zimbabwe's health reforms were not restricted to modern medicines alone. Traditional healers, who had always played an important role in the psychological and indeed, physical health of the African population but who had been persecuted, ridiculed and marginalized by colonial authorities instead of being appreciated and recognized, were made part and parcel of the Zimbabwe health revolution in 1981, with the government passing the Traditional Medical Practitioners Act establishing the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healer's Association. The Association's members were encouraged to cooperate with the more conventional modern medical practitioners.

Zimbabwe's infant mortality rate has dropped from 102 deaths for every 1 000 births in 1999 to 82 deaths for the same number of deaths in 2006 owing to measures being taken to combat HIV. Other factors like wide vaccination coverage that the country has always aimed for, also played a part in cutting down on child deaths. Anti-retroviral treatment for children is also now available in the country, a factor that has seen many HIV positive children surviving beyond the age of five unlike the situation of the past years.

The decline in infant mortality rate comes at a time when the country has reduced its HIV prevalence rate from 33% in 1999 to 18.1 in 2006. This prompted the British and Canadian Ambassadors in Harare to separately hail Zimbabwe for its defined and effective HIV/AIDS policies, educational awareness campaigns and significant strides made in the prevention of Mother to Child Transmission [PMTCT] programmes. Nearly all the districts have at least one facility for providing HIV testing and counseling.

www.mohcc.gov.zw

Zimbabwe inherited a segregated education system, where there were no equal opportunities for white and black citizens. At independence, the government adopted a deliberate policy of giving priority to education. The biggest allocation in the national budget since 1980 has therefore been to education.

School Expansion and Enrolment

There has been a massive expansion of the education system, as a result of government policies which gave priority to education. While at independence the country only had 192 secondary schools, now the country boasts of 1,600 secondary schools and 4,800 primary schools. School enrolment also increased in tandem with the expansion in school facilities. In 1980, primary school enrolment stood at 647,761 male and 588,233 female students. Today, these figures have almost tripped to 1,255,990 male and 1,237,270 female students. Zimbabwe now boasts of one of the highest literacy rates in the world because of the priority accorded to education in the post-independence era.

University Expansion

From only one University in 1980, Zimbabwe now boasts of 12 Universities, 12 teachers' colleges and over 12 Polytechnics. Strategic partnerships have been forged with other Universities internationally to exchange knowledge and enhance effectiveness in imparting knowledge. The course content of the programmes is fine tuned to suit global trends and demands in the labour market. The teaching of practical subjects has also equipped graduands to be employers in their own right instead of just waiting to join the job market.

Adult literacy

The realisation that most of the adult population had been denied the opportunity to get educated under the colonial regime prompted the government to embark on an adult literacy programme at independence. This proved to be the most effective tool in ensuring a literate population. To date, with an adult literacy rate of over 90%, Zimbabwe boasts of the highest literacy rate in Africa and one of the highest in the world.

Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) Programme

BEAM is one of the various social protections that government is providing to vulnerable groups through different ministries. Through BEAM the government has managed to provide social protection to orphans and vulnerable children by assisting with tuition fees, levies and examination fees. Since its inception in 2001, BEAM has managed to reduce the number of children who drop out of school due to failure to pay fees. BEAM is administered by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and is implemented through local authorities. To date, over 4, 000,000 students have benefited from BEAM.

 www.mhtestd.gov.zw  and www.mopse.gov.zw

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