Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa Call for Agricultural Unity at ZAS 2025

Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa - centre and Cyril Ramaphosa- Right with Delegates at ZAS2025 (image source)

At the 130th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS 2025), the fields of farming harvested more than crops—they sowed seeds of regional cooperation and renewed political purpose. Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe used the show’s platform to broadcast aligned visions: a united agricultural future under AfCFTA, climate-smart farming, and investment in infrastructure and inclusive growth.

Seeds of Solidarity: Ramaphosa’s Address

As Guest of Honour, President Ramaphosa praised Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformations and emphasized agriculture’s role in economic recovery and historical equity. He commended irrigation, mechanisation reforms, and support for smallholders, especially women and youth.

Drawing on the challenges of power-sharing reform in post-colonial contexts, Ramaphosa articulated a powerful mantra:“Agriculture must be a catalyst for economic growth and historical redress.”

He urged deeper SA–Zim private sector partnerships, expanded agro-processing, enhanced biosecurity, geo-spatial farming technologies, and cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mnangagwa’s Commitments

President Mnangagwa complemented Ramaphosa’s vision with Zimbabwe-centred commitments. He invoked Pfumvudza/Intwasa, the country’s climate-smart cropping schemes, lauded Zimbabwe’s triumph in the Africa Food Prize, and pledged advances in rural infrastructure and water harvesting systems.

Reaffirming social cohesion, he assured, “No Zimbabwean will go without food,” while condemning tribalism as divisive and antithetical to progress.

Eyewitness Reaction & Expert Insight

At the exhibition hall, smallholder farmer Nokuthula Moyo from Chilonga spoke of inspiration: “Ramaphosa's words give us hope. Tech and trade can change lives.”

Meanwhile, agricultural economist Dr. Tendai Murewa noted that the dual presidential message strikes at Zimbabwe’s economic realities:“These speeches signal a policy shift. They acknowledge investment, resilience and regional trade as key drivers of sustainable food security.”

Shared Stakes, Shared Strategy

With South Africa as a leading export destination, Zimbabwe’s economic narrative is shifting toward integration and production-led growth. Zimbabwe imported R69.21 billion from South Africa in 2024, while South Africa sourced R5.4 billion in Zimbabwean goods.

Strengthening this dynamic will hinge on infrastructure, private sector collaboration, and climate-adaptive agricultural systems.