By Fanuel Chinowaita
HARARE, August 10, 2026 — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned miners against destroying rivers, infrastructure and the environment, saying Zimbabwe’s drive to exploit its mineral wealth must not come at the expense of future generations.
Addressing the 46th Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today, Mnangagwa said his government would move against what he described as wanton environmental destruction as it pursues mining, industrialization and economic growth.
“My Administration will not excuse any wanton damage of infrastructure, rivers and natural environments. These must be rehabilitated,” Mnangagwa said.
The warning comes as the government pushes for greater value addition and beneficiation, with the President declaring that Zimbabwe would no longer rely on exporting raw natural resources.
“Zimbabwe will no longer export raw natural resources. We are in a new era of localized value addition, beneficiation, industrialization, and manufacturing,” he said.
Mnangagwa said the policy was intended to expand domestic industries, create jobs and increase export earnings, while describing emerging miners as “new heroes and heroines” in the mining sector.
But he stressed that mining gains should not come at the expense of the environment or generations yet to come.
The President said the mining and agriculture sectors were increasingly linked to manufacturing, which he said had become a key driver of production, employment creation and export diversification.
He claimed industrial capacity utilization had risen above 60 percent, saying this was increasing the availability of locally manufactured products.
Mnangagwa also portrayed the economy as increasingly stable, saying exchange-rate and price stability had been recorded since September 2024 and that inflation had remained below five percent and was expected to remain in single digits.
“Zimbabwe is indeed Open for Business,” he said.
In agriculture, the President said government was targeting an expansion of irrigation capacity from 274,439 hectares to 496,000 hectares and had raised its wheat production target to 662.5 metric tonnes following what he described as the success of the 2025/2026 agricultural season.
He said young farmers were being empowered and praised farmers across the sector as emerging “new heroes and heroines”.
Mnangagwa said government was also directing investment into rural infrastructure, manufacturing hubs and agro-processing under its rural industrialization agenda and “Invest Rural” policy.
He called on private investors and Zimbabweans in the diaspora to take advantage of investment opportunities in rural districts and wards, while government would accelerate the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges linking communities to schools, clinics and markets.
The President said micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives were becoming increasingly important to Zimbabwe’s economy, with what he described as record production levels in manufacturing and mining.
He also highlighted government support for children and dependants of liberation war veterans, as well as disadvantaged learners at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Mnangagwa urged the education, sports, arts and cultural sectors to ensure that the history of the liberation struggle remained alive among younger generations.
He said investment in research, innovation, science and technology was being prioritized to strengthen industrial competitiveness, while higher learning institutions were increasingly serving as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and industrialization.
On healthcare, Mnangagwa said government was seeking to strengthen local production and supply chains for medicines, vaccines and other medical supplies, with the aim of building what he called a self-reliant and resilient health system.
He also celebrated Zimbabwean sporting achievements, including qualification by the national men’s relay team for the World Athletics Championships and the national cricket team’s qualification for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The President urged Zimbabweans to treat protection of the country’s forests, wildlife, land and water resources as an act of patriotism, reinforcing his warning against environmental degradation.
He said government was also rolling out public-sector reforms, digital justice services and measures to strengthen anti-corruption and asset recovery frameworks.
Community radio stations have been licensed in Marondera, Rusape, Gutu and Gokwe, while government has begun rolling out the Smart Traffic Management System across the provinces in an effort to improve safety on the country’s roads.
Mnangagwa also pointed to Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, saying it reflected growing international confidence in the country.
“Zimbabwe shall remain ‘a Friend to All and an Enemy to None’,” he said.
But the President’s address also carried a warning for the months ahead, as he urged communities to prepare for a projected El Niño-induced drought.
He said government had measures in place to mitigate the effects of the drought and urged farmers to plant at the appropriate time ahead of the 2026/2027 agricultural season, following guidance from relevant government departments.
Mnangagwa also called for national unity and warned Zimbabweans against what he described as “divisive machinations”, saying the country remained a “unitary and indivisible state”.
He said his administration would continue pursuing economic growth, modernization and industrialization towards Vision 2030 while preserving national unity and the legacy of the liberation struggle.
“As we develop, modernize, industrialize towards Vision 2030; we shall never ever forget their sacred sacrifices,” Mnangagwa said.
The 2026 Heroes Day commemorations were held under the theme “Lest We Forget”, with Mnangagwa using the occasion to link Zimbabwe’s current development agenda to the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle and to call for continued protection of the country’s sovereignty, natural resources and national heritage.