Staff Reporter
The nation is eagerly awaiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the official opening of the Second Session of the 10th Parliament, scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
The announcement was made by Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, through General Notice 1527 of 2024.
"It is hereby notified, for public information, that His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, will - (a) in terms of section 140(1) of the Constitution, address a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly on Wednesday, the 2nd of October, 2024, at 1400 hours, during which he will set out the Government's legislative agenda for the Second Session of the 10th Parliament; and (b) in terms of section 140(4) of the Constitution, deliver the State of the Nation Address," said Advocate Mudenda.
This will mark President Mnangagwa's second SONA since his re-election in August 2023, and his address is expected to outline the Government’s key legislative priorities and policy direction as the nation navigates economic challenges, political dynamics, and international relations.
With Zimbabwe facing persistent economic issues, including inflation and currency depreciation, economic commentators have expressed their expectations for the President to focus on stabilising the economy.
Prominent economist, Lloyd Mugova said, "The nation is in dire need of economic direction. With the Zimbabwe Gold losing value against major currencies, we expect the President to address urgent measures for currency stability and long-term monetary policy reforms. Zimbabweans are struggling with rising prices, and they need reassurance that the Government has a comprehensive plan to combat inflation."
Echoing similar sentiments, financial analyst Tsitsi Moyo highlighted the critical need for reforms to boost investor confidence.
"The President must outline policies that will attract both domestic and international investment. We are looking forward to hearing about plans to support the manufacturing sector, which is key to industrialising the economy. Stability in the exchange rate will help businesses plan better and grow," Moyo said.
Another expert, Dr Trevor Chabayanzara, stressed the importance of fiscal discipline.
"The SONA should address issues related to public spending and debt management. Zimbabwe’s economy has suffered from unsustainable borrowing, and it’s crucial that we see a shift towards more prudent fiscal management. This will restore confidence in our financial system and give hope to local industries and the public alike."
Political analyst Joseph Mandizha said that given the importance of the next parliamentary session, the SONA could be pivotal in shaping Zimbabwe's policy landscape for the coming years.
"The President’s re-election victory has solidified ZANU-PF’s influence in Parliament, which means we should see a clear legislative agenda geared towards economic recovery and growth. We anticipate that the Government will focus on measures to improve infrastructure, particularly energy and transportation, which are critical to driving economic growth," said Mandizha.
As the nation eagerly awaits the October 2 address, the expectations are that Government must outline tangible solutions to address Zimbabwe’s pressing challenges, particularly in the economic sector, and present a vision for sustainable growth that benefits all citizens.
