By Derick Tsimba
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed two Permanent Secretaries for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement and the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities.
In a press statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck J M Sibanda, said the President had appointed the Dr John Basera and Engineer Silibaziso Chizwina.
“The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet is pleased to announce that His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013, appointed Dr John Basera as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement and Engineer Silibaziso Chizwina as the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities,” said Dr Sibanda.
He added: “Dr John Basera is a holder of a degree in agronomy, an MBA and a PhD in agribusiness. He has extensive experience in agriculture with a focus on agronomy, agricultural extension services, agricultural value chain management, agricultural strategy, finance and marketing in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Namibia.
“Dr Basera joins the Ministry at a time when Government is focusing on revitalizing agriculture as a critical component of national efforts to realize Vision 2030. Dr Basera has worked in the private sector including Seed-Co, and is currently the Technical Director in Charge of the agricultural portfolio at CBZ. The appointment of Dr Basera is with effect from 1st January 2020.”
“Engineer Silibaziso Chizwina holds degree qualifications in civil and water engineering; project management and business administration. She brings a wealth of experience in real estate planning, investment and development, which she gained at NOCZIM, NSSA and the housing sector to give impetus to national efforts to energize the housing delivery value chain.
“Her leadership will be critical in delivering housing and integrated social amenities, particularly in peri-urban, rural and resettlement areas where challenges abound. She will also be responsible for addressing the urgent issues of integrating resilient design into the development of national housing and social amenities, in the context of the emerging challenges wrought by climate change related phenomenon. The appointment of Engineer Chizwina is with immediate effect,” said Dr Sibanda.
