Professor Jairos Kangira
Windhoek, April.27 — Following the buoyance in its economy, Zimbabwe scored a single-digit inflation rate of 4.1% at the beginning of 2026, raising highest hopes for a permanent economic recovery under the Second Republic of President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Munangagwa.
This was revealed by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Namibia, Her Excellency Melody Chaurura at a glittering event marking Zimbabwe’s independence day celebrations held on Thursday evening last week under the theme “Zimbabwe at 46 – Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030”. Zimbabwe attained its independence on 18 April 1980.
In her powerful, wide-ranging speech, ambassador Chaurura waxed lyrical about the achievements of Zimbabwe’s Second Republic.
“Zimbabwe’s economy has registered commendable growth, anchored on a stable macro-economic environment. Foreign currency reserves now stand at more than US$1.2 billion,” extoled Chaurura, adding that “The exchange rate stability benefited from increased foreign currency inflows, which exceeded US$16 billion, mainly due to rising exports of gold, tobacco, Platinum Group of Metals, and Diaspora remittances.”
Regarding the ease of doing business and enhancing Zimbabwe as a favourable investment destination, the government has effected a review of taxes, fees, and levies across critical sectors of the economy.
“Equally important to share is that this year’s independence celebrations are being held in the midst of yet another successful agricultural season. The 2024/2025 summer season produced 2.4 million tons of maize and close to 635 000 tons of traditional grains, exceeding the national annual grain requirement. Similarly, the 2025 winter wheat harvest surpassed 640 000 tons, against a national requirement of 550 000 tons. The Strategic Grain Reserve continues to guarantee the country’s national food security and sovereignty,” the ambassador disclosed these staggering figures to an awe-struck audience that kept on giving her ovation after ovation.
Still in the agriculture sector, Zimbabwe remains Africa’s largest producer of the golden leaf. Tobacco production reached record-breaking levels in the 2024/2025 season, achieving 355 million kilogrammes and generating over US$1.2 billion in earnings. Horticulture exports now exceed US$140 million, driven by blueberries, macadamia nuts, citrus, and avocado.
These and other achievements were possible after a long and bitter struggle that defeated colonialism and imperialism.
“ As we honour this important date in our country’s history, we acknowledge with appreciative hearts that we now own and produce from the land that the brave freedom fighters wrestled to reclaim. We thus salute all Veterans of the Liberation Struggle for their heroic acts, bravery, courage, and solid commitment to the birth of a liberated and united nation, singing one national anthem, under one national flag. Their blood indeed waters our freedom. The greatest honour we can pay to these heroes and heroines, both living and fallen, is to defend, safeguard, and preserve this hard-won freedom and independence which they fought so hard to win,” ambassador Chaurura paid tribute Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters.
On the relationship between Zimbabwe and Namibia, ambassador Chaurura said the two countries have successfully concluded a significant number of MoUs across key sectors, such as agriculture, arts and culture, energy, environment and wildlife management, education, health, innovation, immigration, infrastructure development, Information Communication Technology, fisheries, justice, mining, skills development, science, sports, and tourism, among others.
Guest of Honour, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade Honourable Jennelly Matundu remarked: “We also take pride in the deep people-to-people ties between our nations. From education to health, Zimbabwe continues to play a vital role in Namibia’s human capital development, with many of our professionals having been trained in Zimbabwe’s esteemed institutions. This enduring cooperation remains a cornerstone of our bilateral relations and offers a strong foundation upon which to build future collaboration, particularly in vocational training, youth empowerment, and skills development. We look forward to the inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission catalysing this.”
Zimbabweans living in Namibia came to celebrate together in large numbers. Sophia Shaningwa, SWAPO Party’s Secretary General was one of the dignitaries who graced Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations at Mecure Hotel.
