HOT TOPICS ONLINE .................... *Kapfupi misses out on Aqua and cash gift after showing up drunk* (B24) *Southern Africa: SADC 34th Meeting of Committee of Ministers of Trade Kicks Off in Harare* (Business Insider Africa) *10 rich countries non-committal on Zimbabwe's $2.6b bridge financing appeal* (Business Insider Africa) *President Mnangagwa urges Afrocentric AI adoption for governance* (Zbc) ----------- ©Zoomic Media https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26 *Kapfupi misses out on Aqua and cash gift after showing up drunk* (B24) Comedian Kapfupi failed to collect a Toyota Aqua vehicle and a $3,000 cash gift from businessman Wicknell Chivayo after arriving at the handover event in an intoxicated state. The incident has raised concerns about Kapfupi's well-being, with a source identified as Mr Chipanga suggesting that the comedian might be battling alcohol addiction. Chipanga further revealed that a previous vehicle gifted to Kapfupi by Chivayo was involved in an accident while Kapfupi was allegedly driving under the influence. The episode has sparked conversations about the challenges faced by entertainers in managing personal struggles amid public life. Meanwhile, the fate of the current vehicle and cash gift remains uncertain as Kapfupi deals with the repercussions of his actions. ------ *Southern Africa: SADC 34th Meeting of Committee of Ministers of Trade Kicks Off in Harare* (Business Insider Africa) SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) member states continue to register commendable progress in implementing the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) and regional programmes. SADC Senior Officials chairperson Ambassador Albert Chimbindi said this Monday as the 34th meeting of the Committee of SADC Ministers of Trade (CMT) and 24th Ministerial Task Force on Regional Integration (MTF) kicked off in Harare. Chimbindi told regional delegates that "it is heartening to note that despite the prolonged hiatus since the last CMT meeting in July, 2023 member states have continued to register commendable progress in implementing the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) and related regional programmes. "This demonstrates our unwavering resolve to advance the SADC regional integration agenda, even amid global economic turbulence." He, however, challenged member states to equally acknowledge that several decisions from previous CMT meetings remain outstanding and unimplemented due to various challenges, including the prolonged hiatus that the regional bloc witnessed. "I, therefore, call upon all member states and the Secretariat to redouble efforts toward the full and timely implementation of all the pending decisions. "Only through coordinated action and a sense of urgency can we deliver on our shared aspirations. Intra SADC trade, participation at these trying times globally, should be at the centre of what we do. Trade is so key to regional developments and industrialisation that we should never again allow ourselves to fail to meet," Chimbindi said. The meeting is taking place against a background of profound global economic disruptions, marked by increasing protectionism, shifting trade alliances, and unpredictable supply chains. Added Chimbindi, "In this complex and zero-sum trading environment, adaptation is not optional; it is imperative. We must collectively understand the changing dynamics, anticipate future dynamics and disruptions and adopt responsive policies if we are to remain relevant players in the global economy. "Collective action is key." According to the Ambassador, there has been a growing convergence of views within the region on the need to build greater resilience and deepen intra-regional trade, which must be matched by action. "We, the member states, hold the key to translating intent into tangible outcomes. Our people expect nothing less from us. "It is encouraging that our agenda today prioritises critical trade facilitation issues. These are essential levers for improving regional trade cooperation, eliminating all forms of barriers and unlocking the full potential of our industrialisation agenda. "Simplifying trade procedures, harmonising standards, and investing in digital and physical infrastructure will not only boost trade flows but also stimulate innovation and sustainable growth." He warned members that they should deliberate, being aware of the far-reaching implications the decisions for the SADC trading ecosystem in the context of an ever-evolving global landscape. The Senior Officials Meeting of the 34th SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT) is a precursor to the CMT session scheduled to be held this Thursday, June 5, 2025, convening in Mount Hampden, New Parliament Building. The meeting marks a critical juncture in our collective efforts to deepen regional integration, enhance trade facilitation, and drive industrial development across the SADC region. ----- *10 rich countries non-committal on Zimbabwe's $2.6b bridge financing appeal* (Business Insider Africa) Zimbabwe is yet to secure any firm pledges of financial support from the 10 countries it appealed to in its ongoing bid to settle long-standing debt arrears. The southern African nation is burdened with a $21 billion debt, which has shut it out of global financial markets since it defaulted in 1999, according to Bloomberg. According to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, he had sent letters to Algeria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK, requesting $2.6 billion in bridge financing to help settle debts owed to major multilateral lenders, including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the African Development Bank. However, responses from the countries Zimbabwe approached for debt relief have been mixed. "Some of them are very warm, some of them not so warm. You will get a varied response," he said. One of the major hurdles to securing the bridge financing is that seven of the countries he contacted, including China and Germany, are already creditors to Zimbabwe. Given the large amount of funding Zimbabwe is seeking, it's unlikely that a single nation will step in as a sponsor. Ncube stressed that it would require a collective effort of at least three countries. He also noted that Zimbabwe may explore other avenues to raise funds for debt repayment, including asset sales, though he did not offer specifics. The country has been pushing for an International Monetary Fund staff-monitored program to rebuild trust with international creditors, but those efforts have yet to bear fruit. Source - Business Insider Africa ----- *President Mnangagwa urges Afrocentric AI adoption for governance* (Zbc) VICTORIA FALLS – ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) has been spotlighted as a vital tool for enhancing citizen engagement, strengthening democratic institutions, and deepening regional integration within the SADC bloc. This was said by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who officially opened the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum this Monday. The week-long forum, held at Elephant Hills Resort under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities,” comes at a time when many parliaments are exploring digital innovations to increase responsiveness and transparency. “For SADC parliaments, the potential benefits of AI and innovative technologies are multi-pronged. These offer solutions for resource optimisation, which will in turn enable our parliamentarians to achieve greater results,” said President Mnangagwa. The President noted that integrating AI into governance could significantly narrow the gap between representatives and the communities they serve. “Technology can bridge the gap between parliamentarians and citizens in our geographically dispersed constituencies. This will enable more direct and frequent interaction, thereby improving representation and involvement of grassroots communities in parliamentary processes,” he said. Emphasising that the SADC region must chart its own course in adopting AI, President Mnangagwa warned against simply replicating foreign models. “In deliberating these emerging issues, therefore, I call upon you the elected representatives of the peoples of the region, to ensure that systems based on artificial intelligence and other technologies do not merely cut-and-paste global models. They must reflect the unique priorities and perspectives of the SADC region and Africa in general, from an Afrocentric perspective.” He further urged parliaments to harness AI to create evidence-based, people-centred policies, while also highlighting the importance of digital skills development and investment in home-grown innovation. “SADC Heads of State and Government, within the framework of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030, should prioritise the development of appropriate skills related to ICT,” said President Mnangagwa. “Common approaches to technological adoption should be promoted to enhance inter-operable systems that facilitate greater cooperation amongst our parliaments.” As part of Zimbabwe’s contribution to the regional digital agenda, the President outlined ongoing national efforts to build digital capacity and foster innovation. “To date, Zimbabwe has established innovation hubs and industrial parks across all our universities. These centres of excellence are advancing our technological agenda and remain at the core of our innovation efforts,” he said. “Partnerships with universities, research institutions and industry to promote digital literacy, stimulate local content creation and advance research in new technologies, including AI, were proving valuable.” While acknowledging the potential of AI, President Mnangagwa stressed the need to safeguard democratic values and national sovereignty. “At a national scale, the adoption of AI and other emerging technologies must enhance rather than compromise the integrity and independence of the region’s democratic institutions. To this end, measures must be put in place to deal with issues of cyber security, data protection, digital sovereignty and the potential for technological dependence, among others.” He said Zimbabwe had taken steps to address these challenges. “Zimbabwe has enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act to regulate data security and ensure fairness in data related to and services driven by AI.” President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the commitment of SADC leaders to empowering the SADC Parliamentary Forum as a driver of democratic consolidation and regional integration. “Be assured that there is political will from the level of my fellow Heads of State and Government, in SADC, to support endeavours of this SADC Parliamentary Forum. This includes the institutionalisation of parliamentary involvement in regional integration, democratic consolidation and sustainable development across our region.” Reflecting on his longstanding connection with the SADC PF, the President described it as an institution close to his heart. “I recall that during my tenure as Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe from 2000 to 2005, I had the honour of actively participating in the development of the Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region,” President Mnangagwa said. “I was also privileged to serve as Head of Mission for the SADC Parliamentary Forum Election Observation Mission to Malawi for the 2004 General Elections. Later, I had the distinct honour of officially launching the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriages and Protecting Children Already in Marriage. This was during the 40th Plenary Assembly, graciously hosted by the Parliament of Zimbabwe in 2016.” As the plenary continues, the spotlight remains on how regional parliaments can harness innovation for inclusive governance that leaves no citizen behind. “The ultimate beneficiaries of all our efforts must be the people who should experience a higher quality of life that leaves no one behind,” said President Mnangagwa.