President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is set to officially open the Third Session of the 10th Parliament on Tuesday, where he will outline the government’s legislative and policy priorities for the coming year and deliver the much-anticipated State of the Nation Address (SONA). The event, which will take place at the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden, marks the formal end of the Second Session of the current Parliament and signals the beginning of a new legislative cycle.
The announcement was made through a Government Gazette published on Thursday by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Geza, confirming that the President will address a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly.
“It is hereby notified, for public information, that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, will (a) in terms of Section 140 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, address a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly on Tuesday, the 28th of October 2025, at 1200 hours, during which he will set out the Government’s legislative agenda for the Third Session of the 10th Parliament and (b) in terms of Section 140 (4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, deliver a State of the Nation Address (SONA),” read the official notice.
The President’s speech is expected to set the tone for both Parliament and government ministries as they prepare to implement policies aimed at economic recovery, social stability, and institutional reform. Observers note that Mnangagwa’s address will likely emphasize economic resilience, industrial growth, infrastructure development, and public sector efficiency, amid persistent challenges such as inflation, currency instability, and service delivery gaps.
One of the major highlights of the upcoming Session will be the presentation of the 2026 National Budget by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube. The budget, expected in late November, will detail government spending plans and fiscal policies designed to boost productivity, attract investment, and stabilize the economy.
President Mnangagwa to Open Third Session of 10th Parliament, Set 2026 Legislative and Economic Agenda
Consultations for the budget are already underway, with various Parliamentary Portfolio Committees currently engaging ministries, departments, and agencies to understand their financial needs and policy priorities for the coming fiscal year. The process, which includes stakeholder and public participation, is a key feature of the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusive budgeting.
During the Second Session, Parliament deliberated on several critical Bills, many of which are expected to carry over into the new legislative period. Among the major Bills awaiting finalization are the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill, Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) Amendment Bill, Medical Services Amendment Bill, Pipelines Amendment Bill, and the Climate Change Management Amendment Bill.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, in particular, has drawn considerable public and industry interest as it seeks to modernize the mining legal framework, improve accountability in mineral extraction, and promote community benefits. Similarly, the Public Procurement Amendment Bill aims to strengthen oversight mechanisms and curb corruption in state procurement processes — a key reform area for the Mnangagwa administration.
Public hearings for several of these Bills have already been conducted across the country, allowing citizens and interest groups to provide input before the proposed laws are debated further. This participatory process has been lauded as an important step toward strengthening legislative transparency and public accountability.
However, Parliament has also faced challenges during the Second Session, particularly regarding ministerial attendance. Legislators have repeatedly raised concerns about the failure of some Cabinet ministers to attend question-and-answer sessions or respond promptly to parliamentary inquiries. Debate over the issue is expected to resurface as lawmakers push for greater executive accountability in the new Session.
Parliament’s Standing Orders stipulate that any Bills not completed before the prorogation of a Session may be reinstated at the stage where they were left off. This means the new Session will begin with a backlog of unfinished legislative business, which committees are expected to prioritize once proceedings resume.
Political analysts say Mnangagwa’s upcoming SONA will serve not only as a legislative roadmap but also as a political statement on the direction his administration intends to take as it approaches the midpoint of its current term. With rising public expectations and international attention on governance reforms, the President is likely to emphasize themes of economic transformation, youth empowerment, infrastructure renewal, and climate adaptation.
The State of the Nation Address traditionally provides a broad overview of the country’s progress and challenges, while the official opening of Parliament signals
Source- Herald
