mbulelo smpofu
Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw
THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)’s School of Infantry in Mbalabala has been renamed Lookout Masuku Barracks as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to honour national heroes while ZNA’s 1 Infantry Brigade will retain the name Khumalo Barracks.
The Bulawayo District Headquarters will continue as Imbizo Barracks.
The renaming follows the Defence Cantonment Notice of 2017 and was announced by the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, during a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday.
“Following the promulgation of the Defence Cantonment Notice of 2017 and the subsequent renaming of Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade, Headquarters Bulawayo District and the Zimbabwe School of Infantry, Cabinet has now directed that the Army Barracks should retain their original names,” he said.
“Accordingly, Headquarters One now retains the name Khumalo Barracks; Headquarters Bulawayo District retains the name Imbizo Barracks; and the Zimbabwe School of Infantry is renamed Lookout Masuku Barracks.”
The changes symbolise a commitment by the Government to recognise the contributions of individuals such as the late war hero, General Lookout Masuku and others who have played pivotal roles in country’s liberation struggle.
Most of the army barracks countrywide were officially renamed in 2017, with King George VI Barracks in Harare renamed after the late national hero, Josiah Magama Tongogara. All other army barracks now also bear the names of national heroes.
Dr Muswere also announced the naming of the Mbudzi Traffic Interchange Roundabout in Harare.
“Cabinet wishes to advice that upon completion, the “Mbudzi Inter-change will be named “Trabablas Inter-change” in recognition of the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President, Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” said Dr Muswere.
In addition, Cabinet approved the proposed National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Framework, which aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan.
Dr Muswere said the strategy aims to drive economic growth through industrialisation by promoting the adoption of AI technologies in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining and services.
The strategy focuses on modernising Zimbabwe’s economy and transitioning from a resource-based economy to one driven by technology and innovation.
“It emphasises on developing digital infrastructure, such as high-capacity fibre networks and 5G technologies, as these are essential for enabling AI adoption across various sectors of the economy,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Government also approved the implementation plan for the Presidential Rural Solarisation Project.
The Presidential Solarisation Project is a livelihoods initiative aimed at providing sustainable renewable solar energy to household beneficiaries across the eight rural provinces of the country. The project targets about 200 000 beneficiaries a year and will run from 2025-2030.
The Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (Rida) will oversee the implementation of the project through an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee architecture incorporating experts from local universities.
The project will be financed by Government while other stakeholders will provide affordable but advanced solar technologies such as batteries, inverters, solar panels and cables to power gadgets such as light bulbs, radios, televisions, phone chargers, laptops, small refrigerators, submersible pumps and Wi-Fi.
“Local youths and women will be trained to participate in the installation programmes implemented in the districts and villages across the eight rural provinces of the country,” said Dr Muswere.
