In a landmark ceremony held at the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, the Parliament of Zimbabwe signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key civil society institutions in a decisive move to bolster its institutional capacity and deepen inclusive, evidence-based legislative processes. The signings, which took place in May 2025, brought together the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Institute (ZEPARI), Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN), Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), and Silveira House Jesuit Social Justice and Development Centre.
In his official remarks, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, welcomed the collaborations, noting that they align seamlessly with Parliament’s Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) for 2025–2029. Under the banner of building “a strong, independent, people-driven, world-class Parliament,” these partnerships are expected to transform the legislative body into a more research-informed, gender-sensitive, and development-oriented institution.
Each organisation brings a distinct yet complementary expertise to the table. ZEPARI will play a critical role in shaping Parliament’s legislative discourse through rigorous economic policy analysis and research. By forging linkages with the Research Department, Select Committees, and Budget Office, ZEPARI is expected to contribute to capacity building, joint research, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that will elevate the technical competence of Parliamentarians and staff alike. “Your comprehensive studies and economic literacy tools should assist in crafting laws that are responsive to the political economy of the country,” Hon. Mudenda remarked.
ZWRCN and WLSA, long-standing champions of gender equity and inclusion, were also praised for their dedication to mainstreaming women’s issues into the policy and legislative agenda. Their partnership comes at a particularly strategic moment, following the appointment of the First Lady as the Ambassador of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, a role that adds visibility and gravitas to efforts aimed at uplifting women and other marginalised groups in policymaking. “You must ensure that your interventions match the strategic pivotal visibility that this ambassadorial role brings to the Caucus,” the Speaker urged.
Silveira House, with its rich legacy of social justice and ethical development, brings a moral and intellectual depth to the collaboration. From its roots in supporting liberation and education, to its present-day contributions to community empowerment, the Jesuit institution’s involvement is expected to support Parliament in pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering ethical governance. “Your role in providing education merits particular recognition and is acclaimed nationally and universally,” Hon. Mudenda noted, referencing institutions like St. Ignatius and St. George’s College that have nurtured many of Zimbabwe’s current thought leaders.
One of the central vehicles through which these collaborations will unfold is the Zimbabwe Parliament Academy, a flagship initiative designed to offer continuous learning, policy research, and professional development to Parliamentarians and staff. The Academy is envisioned as a centre of excellence that will drive institutional transformation and equip legislators with the tools to deliver informed, people-centred governance.
In a tone both firm and forward-looking, the Speaker concluded with a call for all partners to honour the spirit and intent of the MoUs. “We must ensure that our shared efforts remain focused exclusively on advancing the public interest and strengthening democratic governance in Zimbabwe,” he said.
This ceremony marked more than the signing of agreements—it was a declaration of intent to embed expertise, accountability, and inclusivity at the heart of Zimbabwe’s legislative processes. As the nation journeys toward Vision 2030, the partnerships forged here could very well shape the kind of Parliament Zimbabweans need and deserve.
