National Objectives

The objectives set out in this Chapter guide the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level in formulating and implementing laws and policy decisions that will lead to the establishment, enhancement and promotion of a sustainable, just, free and democratic society in which people enjoy prosperous, happy and fulfilling lives.

Regard must be had to the objectives set out in this Chapter when interpreting the State’s obligations under this Constitution and any other law.

The State must adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop efficiency, competence, accountability, transparency, personal integrity and financial probity in all institutions and agencies of government at every level and in every public institution, and in particular— (a) appointments to public offices must be made primarily on the basis of merit; (b) measures must be taken to expose, combat and eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of power by those holding political and public offices.

The State must ensure that all institutions and agencies of government at every level, in particular Commissions and other bodies established by or under this Constitution, are provided with adequate resources and facilities to enable them to carry out their functions conscientiously, fairly, honestly and efficiently.

The State and every person, including juristic persons, and every institution and agency of government at every level, must promote national unity, peace and stability.

The State must take all practical measures to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 4 and to promote their full realisation and fulfilment.

The foreign policy of Zimbabwe must be based on the following principles— (a) the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe; (b) respect for international law; (c) peaceful co-existence with other nations; and (d) the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

The State must promote regional and pan-African cultural, economic and political co- operation and integration and must participate in international and regional organisations that stand for peace and the well-being and progress of the region, the continent and humanity.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to facilitate rapid and equitable development, and in particular must take measures to— (a) promote private initiative and self-reliance; (b) foster agricultural, commercial, industrial, technological and scientific development; (c) foster the development of industrial and commercial enterprises in order to empower Zimbabwean citizens; and (d) bring about balanced development of the different areas of Zimbabwe, in particular a proper balance in the development of rural and urban areas.

Measures referred to in this section must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them.

Measures referred to in this section must protect and enhance the right of the people, particularly women, to equal opportunities in development.

The State must ensure that local communities benefit from the resources in their areas.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to facilitate and take measures to empower, through appropriate, transparent, fair and just affirmative action, all marginalised persons, groups and communities in Zimbabwe.

At all times the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must ensure that appropriate and adequate measures are undertaken to create employment for all Zimbabweans, especially women and youths.

The State must— (a) encourage people to grow and store adequate food; (b) secure the establishment of adequate food reserves; and (c) encourage and promote adequate and proper nutrition through mass education and other appropriate means.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must promote and preserve cultural values and practices which enhance the dignity, well-being and equality of Zimbabweans.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level, and all Zimbabwean citizens, must endeavour to preserve and protect Zimbabwe’s heritage.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take measures to ensure due respect for the dignity of traditional institutions.

The State must promote full gender balance in Zimbabwean society, and in particular— (a) the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men; (b) the State must take all measures, including legislative measures, needed to ensure that— (i) both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government at every level; and (ii) women constitute at least half the membership of all Commissions and other elective and appointed governmental bodies established by or under this Constitution or any Act of Parliament; and (c) the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take practical measures to ensure that women have access to resources, including land, on the basis of equality with men.

The State must take positive measures to rectify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practices and policies.

The State must promote the fair representation of all Zimbabwe’s regions in all institutions and agencies of government at every level.

The State and all institutions and agencies of the State and government at every level must take practical measures to ensure that all local communities have equitable access to resources to promote their development.

The State must adopt policies and measures to ensure that in matters relating to children, the best interests of the children concerned are paramount.

The State must adopt reasonable policies and measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to ensure that children— (a) enjoy family or parental care, or appropriate care when removed from the family environment; (b) have shelter and basic nutrition, health care and social services; (c) are protected from maltreatment, neglect or any form of abuse; and (d) have access to appropriate education and training.

The State must take appropriate legislative and other measures— (a) to protect children from exploitative labour practices; and (b) to ensure that children are not required or permitted to perform work or provide services that— (i) are inappropriate for the children’s age; or (ii) place at risk the children’s well-being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that youths, that is to say people between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five years— (a) have access to appropriate education and training; (b) have opportunities to associate and to be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life; (c) are afforded opportunities for employment and other avenues to economic empowerment; (d) have opportunities for recreational activities and access to recreational facilities; and (e) are protected from harmful cultural practices, exploitation and all forms of abuse.

An Act of Parliament may provide for one or more national youth programmes.

Measures and programmes referred to in subsections (1) and (2) must be inclusive, non- partisan and national in character.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable measures, including legislative measures, to secure respect, support and protection for elderly persons and to enable them to participate in the life of their communities.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour, within the limits of the resources available to them— (a) to encourage elderly persons to participate fully in the affairs of society; (b) to provide facilities, food and social care for elderly persons who are in need; (c) to develop programmes to give elderly persons the opportunity to engage in productive activity suited to their abilities and consistent with their vocations and desires; and (d) to foster social organisations aimed at improving the quality of life of elderly persons.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must recognise the rights of persons with physical or mental disabilities, in particular their right to be treated with respect and dignity.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must, within the limits of the resources available to them, assist persons with physical or mental disabilities to achieve their full potential and to minimise the disadvantages suffered by them.

In particular, the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must— (a) develop programmes for the welfare of persons with physical or mental disabilities, especially work programmes consistent with their capabilities and acceptable to them or their legal representatives; (b) consider the specific requirements of persons with all forms of disability as one of the priorities in development plans; (c) encourage the use and development of forms of communication suitable for persons with physical or mental disabilities; and (d) foster social organisations aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with all forms of disability.

The State must take appropriate measures to ensure that buildings and amenities to which the public has access are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must accord due respect, honour and recognition to veterans of the liberation struggle, that is to say— (a) those who fought in the War of Liberation; (b) those who assisted the fighters in the War of Liberation; and (c) those who were imprisoned, detained or restricted for political reasons during the liberation struggle.

The State must take reasonable measures, including legislative measures, for the welfare and economic empowerment of veterans of the liberation struggle.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must adopt reasonable policies and measures, within the limits of the resources available to them, to provide everyone with an opportunity to work in a freely chosen activity, in order to secure a decent living for themselves and their families.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to secure— (a) full employment; (b) the removal of restrictions that unnecessarily inhibit or prevent people from working and otherwise engaging in gainful economic activities; (c) vocational guidance and the development of vocational and training programmes, including those for persons with disabilities; and (d) the implementation of measures such as family care that enable women to enjoy a real opportunity to work.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must protect and foster the institution of the family and in particular must endeavour, within the limits of the resources available to them, to adopt measures for— (a) the provision of care and assistance to mothers, fathers and other family members who have charge of children; and (b) the prevention of domestic violence.

The State must take appropriate measures to ensure that— (a) no marriage is entered into without the free and full consent of the intending spouses; (b) children are not pledged in marriage; (c) there is equality of rights and obligations of spouses during marriage and at its dissolution; and (d) in the event of dissolution of a marriage, whether through death or divorce, provision is made for the necessary protection of any children and spouses.

The State must take all practical measures to promote— (a) free and compulsory basic education for children; and (b) higher and tertiary education.

The State must take measures to ensure that girls are afforded the same opportunities as boys to obtain education at all levels.

The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to them, to enable every person to have access to adequate shelter.

The State must take all practical measures to ensure the provision of basic, accessible and adequate health services throughout Zimbabwe.

The State must take appropriate, fair and reasonable measures to ensure that no person is refused emergency medical treatment at any health institution.

The State must take all preventive measures within the limits of the resources available to it, including education and public awareness programmes, against the spread of disease.

The State must take all practical measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to provide social security and social care to those who are in need.

The State must take all practical measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to provide legal representation in civil and criminal cases for people who need it and are unable to afford legal practitioners of their choice.

The State must take all practical measures to encourage sporting and recreational activities, including the provision of sporting and recreational facilities for all people.

The State must take measures to preserve, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems, including knowledge of the medicinal and other properties of animal and plant life possessed by local communities and people.

The State must ensure that all international conventions, treaties and agreements to which Zimbabwe is a party are incorporated into domestic law.