Zimbabwe Roundup: Drought, culling elephants, quality exports

India-Zimbabwe ties

India's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramha Kumar, has reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's skills development and capacity-building initiatives. During a recent meeting with Zimbabweans who completed training under the India Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, he highlighted the strong bilateral relations and India's role in various projects, including the Deka pumping and river water intake system, funded by a US$48.1 million Indian Line of Credit. Kumar noted that approximately 5,000 Zimbabwean students are currently studying in India and mentioned the establishment and recent upgrades of 17 Indo-Zim technology centres, which provide critical training for youth and government officials. According to The Herald, the Indian Embassy aims to further enhance cooperation in skills training and capacity building.

Zimbabwe gets ready for sports festival

The Zimbabwe Traditional Sports and Games Federation (ZTSGF) and the African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation (ATSGC) signed a host protocol agreement for the 2028 Multi-Event Festival after Zimbabwe won the bid to host. ATSGC president Michael Shamsu Mustapha expressed confidence in Zimbabwe's preparations and pledged support for the event. The festival will feature various traditional sports and activities, with the 2026 edition taking place in Namibia, The Herald reports.

Combatting drought

Zimbabwe has received humanitarian assistance from Belarus to combat the El Nino-induced drought affecting over 9 million people. The aid package includes food, agricultural equipment, clothing, and supplements, Bulawayo reports. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe expressed gratitude for Belarus’ support, highlighting its significance for bilateral relations and resilience against adversity. He noted ongoing efforts in Zimbabwe, including drilling boreholes for clean water and creating village business units to empower women and youth. Belarusian Emergency Situations Deputy Minister Ihar Bolatau reaffirmed commitment to cooperation, aiming for Zimbabwe's economic growth despite the drought and promoting sustainable practices to address climate change.

Quality exports

Zimbabwe is prioritising the production of quality exports that meet global standards to boost international trade. Dr. Thomas Utete Wushe, the Industry and Commerce permanent secretary, recently met with representatives from Cotecna, a leader in testing and certification, and Crystal Partners, a female-led investment firm, in South Africa. The discussions focused on the importance of standards verification for economic growth and safeguarding local consumers. Cotecna emphasized that ensuring product quality opens new export opportunities for Zimbabwe, while Crystal Partners highlighted the potential for strategic partnerships to enhance local industries. The Herald reports that this collaboration aims to strengthen Zimbabwe's regulatory frameworks and increase its competitiveness in global markets. Additionally, Dr. Wushe attended the launch of the Zimbabwe/South Africa Chamber of Commerce, promoting a unified approach to trade within the SADC region.

Culling of elephants

Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants due to severe drought and food shortages, along with an overpopulation that has led to increased human-wildlife conflicts. The country's environment minister stated that Zimbabwe has more elephants than needed, with Hwange National Park hosting 65,000 elephants—four times its capacity. Critics of the culling argue for more sustainable solutions to address the drought, emphasising the importance of wildlife tourism. News Central reports that this marks the first culling since 1988, as southern Africa, including Namibia, faces similar challenges.