The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza says the media plays a significant role in shaping public perception and facilitating the effective communication of government policies, strategies, and economic development programs.
Speaking at a media workshop aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the diamond mining industry organised by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) in Mutare today, Mugadza said the media is critical in communicating strategies that develop the economy.
“The media plays a very important role in any economy as it shapes public perception and enables Government to effectively communicate policies, strategies and programs that are meant to develop the economy. The media plays a pivotal role in the implementation of this framework,” said Mugadza
The Minister proudly noted that the country is rich in more than 60 mineral resources, with Manicaland Province standing out as a hub for precious gems, including diamonds, along with other valuable resources.
“Negative perceptions about our country minimises the value that we derive from our natural resources. Zimbabwe boasts of having more than 60 mineral resources and I am proud that the province also boasts of having these minerals. Apart from being the hub of our precious gems- diamonds, Manicaland province is also endowed with lithium, gold, tantalite, copper,iron, marble among many others,” the Minister said
Beyond mining, Mugadza said the Province boasts a thriving agricultural sector, which includes horticultural crops, tea, coffee, and timber plantations.
“To top it off, other than mining, the province is rich in the agriculture sector,a key economic activity with horticultural crops, tea and coffee and our timber plantations immensely thriving. Not forgetting tourism which is a major sub sector of our local provincial economy. I believe that with our various initiatives with both the private and public sector, we are on the right trajectory,”
Diamond mining, according to the Minister, is an integral part of the province’s strategic development plan, contributing significantly to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Our state miner ZCDC has not only created employment for the people of Manicaland province, but is also investing in various corporate social responsibility programmes to give back to the community and to support our national development. agenda of economic
“ZCDC has set a target of USD6 million as part of its Corporate social responsibility thus contributing towards the improvement of health, education, infrastructure among others. The Sakubva Urban renewal Project which the company had undertaken to partly finance is a key project which we are also looking forward to its completion.
“Allow me to encourage ZCDC leadership here present to continuously invest more towards uplifting livelihoods of the people of Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large through embarking on more initiatives which to support our communities,” Minister Mugadza said
The Provincial Affairs Minister commended the organization of the media workshop, characterizing it as a noble initiative and expressed optimism that the workshop would lead to a more knowledgeable and informed media fraternity, helping the public better understand the diamond mining industry and its significance in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.
