By Tanaka T Dube

CABINET has approved the National Policy for the Care and Protection of Children without Parental Care and Protection that aims to secure the rights and welfare of vulnerable children in Zimbabwe by ensuring their access to basic services, preparing them for adulthood.

This was announced by  Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

The Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Social Services and Poverty Eradication Vice President Kembo Mohadi presented the policy to Cabinet.

The National Policy for the Care and Protection of Children without Parental Care aims to ensure that all children in alternative care receive basic services such as education, healthcare, justice, food, clothing, shelter, life skills, and sustainable livelihoods.

This policy supports and strengthens the provisions of Section 18 (d) of the Zimbabwean Constitution, which guarantees that all children have the right to enjoy their rights freely.

Mohadi stated that, “The policy seeks among other things to promote and enhance safe protective and stable environment for children without parental care”.

In addition, periodic reviews of the children’s needs and development placements will be conducted regularly to address identified needs, and efforts will be made to maintain the children’s connections with their friends and family.

“Furthermore, the policy ensures that children who are under the care of foster families, group homes, or other non-parental care providers in Zimbabwe, regardless of their circumstances, have their needs and rights respected, protected, and fulfilled.”

By TARIRO MASUNDA

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sterling efforts to make the country a Heritage-based Tourism and Hospitality global leader are bearing fruit as Zimbabwe will host the first United Nations Tourism Africa Gastronomy Forum.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Barbara Rwodzi said this in her recent report to Cabinet.

An exceptional exhibition of Zimbabwe’s culture and cuisine at last year’s forum that was held held in Spain led to the decision to host the event, Rwodzi said in the report.

 The three-day global tourism indaba is set to be held in Victoria Falls beginning on 26 July.

“Zimbabwe received 100 scholarships from UN Tourism, during the Forum in Spain, targeting Zimbabwean beneficiaries.

The scholarships have all been taken up by students in Culinary Departments and Schools across Zimbabwe,” said the report.

The country’s 10 provinces benefitted from the scholarships.

Rwodzi added that government has  plans to establish a Gastronomy Tourism Academy in Victoria Falls to serve Zimbabwe and Africa. 

According to the UN tourism website’s report on the 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism  held  in Spain the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa during her special address, emphasized  on the vital role that gastronomy tourism can play as an effective tool for development.

Mnangagwa, who is also a  committed promoter of African gastronomy, highlighted Zimbabwe’s ‘Traditional Cookout Programme’, featuring traditional cooking competitions at regional level to encourage the consumption of traditional foods, in a way to ensure a healthy living.

The initiative’s success is evident in its impact on local communities, fostering creativity, disseminating cultural knowledge, promoting inclusivity, and recognising women’s significance in cultural heritage transmission.

This transformative model seeks to extend its influence throughout Africa, celebrating diverse cultures and promoting culinary tourism.  

Gastronomy tourism is emerging as an important protector of cultural heritage, and is helping to create opportunities, including jobs, particularly in the rural areas.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has today reassigned  three Cabinet ministers.

The three are Daniel Garwe who is now Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Wiston Chitando reverts back to be Minister of Mines and Mining Development and  Soda Zhemu  is now Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.

Garwe was appointed in 2019 as the first Minister of the National Housing and Social Amenities.

Chitando was the local government minister while Zhemu was the Mines minister.