1st QUARTER 2019 NEWSLETTER

Foreword by the

CEO pg 1

What is NEC

Agriculture? pg 2

Onwards and Upwards: NEC Agriculture launches its

strategic plan pg 3

Corporate

Commitments pg 6

Cyclone Idai – a

flood of tears pg 7 FOREWORD

Dear Reader,

It is my utmost pleasure to write the foreword to the inaugural National Employment Council for the Agricultural Industry in Zimbabwe (NEC Agriculture) newsletter. The aim of this newsletter is to address pertinent labour issues in the agricultural sector and to highlight key developments at NEC Agriculture, particularly the progress we make towards our mission, which is stated in our mission statement as the delivery of ‘first class productivity-based industrial relations and advisory services to the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe.’

The first quarter of 2019 has been a busy and fruitful period at NEC Agriculture. Significantly, on 22 March 2019, we launched our three year strategic plan for the period of 2019-2021. The plan has five goals which are financial stability and growth, sound and professional labour relations, unmatched service delivery, strong corporate governance and compliance, and lastly, top notch human capital. I am truly excited about the execution of this plan because its implementation will drive NEC Agriculture to accomplish its mission that I outlined above.

Sadly, the first quarter of 2019 saw the devastation of Cyclone Idai, predominantly in the eastern parts of the country. Hundreds of lives were lost as a result and there was extensive damage to crucial infrastructure. The agricultural sector was not left untouched by Cyclone Idai. Many employers and employees in the sector perished or were bereaved, crops were damaged and farm assets such as equipment were irreparably destroyed. All Zimbabweans, including the team here at NEC Agriculture, have to play an active part to help in a return to some semblance of normalcy. Thus, NEC Agriculture has started collecting donations at its offices, which will be forwarded to the NEC Coordinating Committee for distribution to victims of Cyclone Idai. We have also asked all our stakeholders to submit data on damage brought by Cyclone Idai to agricultural enterprises so we can gain clarity on the additional support we must offer.

I would be remiss if I do not end this newsletter without thanking the Chairman of NEC Agriculture, Mr Zondo, and his Vice Chairman, Mr Chingwe, and all the members of the Council for their leadership. I remain confident that under their leadership, NEC Agriculture shall continue to grow to the benefit of all players in the agricultural sector. I would also like to thank the Chief Designated Agent, Mr Mudani, and the Accountant, Mrs Kundiona, who have complemented my efforts in keeping our operations at NEC Agriculture efficient and well managed. A hearty thank you goes to all the staff at NEC Agriculture whose daily input has kept the organisation afloat. Finally, I would like to make special mention of the designated agents and the legal department- their diligence has given birth to this newsletter.

Well, do not let me confine you to this foreword for too long. Have a look at the rest of our newsletter and tell us what you think. Happy reading!

Yours truly, David Madyausiku Chief Executive Officer

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WHAT IS NEC AGRICULTURE? By Veronica Nyoni, Edmond Kupara and Sithandiwe Ndebele

The National Employment Council for the Agricultural Industry (more commonly known as NEC Agriculture) is an impartial body that attends to all industrial relations issues in the agricultural sector. It is formed in terms of section 56 of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01). The Council is composed of equal representation from the employers’ organizations and employees’ unions. These parties negotiate and reach agreement on the conditions of service and other employment related issues in the Industry, and the agreement is called a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which is gazetted as a statutory instrument. The Council has vibrant and energetic staff that help in the administration and implementation of the said agreement and other labour regulations. It is the duty of the Council through its staff to ensure harmonious working relations and productivity in the industry by advising and assisting both employer and employee parties and to resolve industrial disputes. The Council is also responsible for facilitating health and safety seminars for workers, and carrying out other worker and employer education programmes, either directly or through the social partners to the Council. To be able to achieve its objectives, the Council needs financial resources. Its primary source of income is the dues that are collected from employers and employees. Because the Council is an impartial organization, half of the amount is paid by the employer and the other half by the employee. In terms of the Labour Act, payment of the dues is compulsory. Currently, each employee contributes 1.4 % of his/her basic monthly wages or salary to NEC Agriculture and the employer pays 1.4% of the total basic wages or salaries payable to his/her employees. Contributions to NEC Agriculture are made by and for all casual, seasonal, fixed-term contract and permanent employees. The employer is responsible for deducting 1.4% of each employee’s basic wages and remitting these deductions to NEC Agriculture on behalf of the employees, together with his/her own contribution. The collected funds are paid every month at our offices or by direct deposit transfer to our account at First Capital Bank at the Westgate Branch, in account number 21195001103. Alternatively, you can deposit contributions into our account at Stanbic Bank at the Belgravia Branch, in account number 9140002333375. For further details, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our details are supplied at the back page of this newsletter.

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Onwards and Upwards: NEC Agriculture launches its strategic plan By Tawanda Marisa and Elizabeth Muzangwa

On 22 March 2019, NEC Agriculture launched its three year Strategic Plan (2019 – 2021) at a ceremony held at the lush Chapman Golf Club in Harare. This was the first time in its history that NEC Agriculture had organised such a grand event to launch a strategic plan, a fact which signalled the birth of a new era of innovation and fruitfulness. The launch itself could really be said to have started on the preceding day when all of NEC Agriculture’s staff, including those from its regional offices, converged at NEC Agriculture’s head offices in Harare for a socialisation of the strategic plan. The socialisation was facilitated by Mr Mhlanga of Parker Randall Consultants who took the staff through different aspects of the strategic plan. The event was aimed at familiarising all staff members with the contents of the strategic plan and educating them on the important roles that each one of them has in the realisation of the plan. Staff members were also trained on how to use the new electronic operations management system. The socialisation became a celebration of the new strategic direction of NEC Agriculture that staff members expressed their excitement about.

Councillors and employees of NEC Agriculture at the socialisation event

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The celebratory mood of the socialisation spilt into the official launch of the strategic plan at the ceremony held on 22 March. The event was attended by key stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including representatives from trade unions and employers’ organisations. The colourful event was graced by the guest of honour, Mrs G. Kanyayi, the Registrar of Labour, who was accompanied by the Assistant Registrar, Mrs N. Simango. The Chairman of NEC Agriculture, Mr Zondo, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Madyausiku, both gave speeches committing themselves to the execution of the strategic plan for the growth of NEC Agriculture. Yet again, Mr Mhlanga had the important task of unpacking the strategic plan to all in attendance. The guest of honour, in her speech, emphasized that the strategic plan must not remain as ink on paper but should be given life by NEC Agriculture. When the floor was opened for contributions on the plan, invitees indicated that they were impressed by the contents of the strategic plan and offered to support NEC Agriculture in all its undertakings.

From left to right: Tapiwa Svuure (designated agent stationed in Chiredzi), Job Mudani (Chief Designated Agent), and Ronald Mabhumbo (Account Analyst stationed in Mutare). The three men are holding certificates from Parker Randall which confirm their strategic planning prowess.

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The event could not have been a success without the participation of NEC Agriculture’s stakeholders who all appreciate and share NEC Agriculture’s vision of fostering harmonious labour relations in the agricultural sector as a vehicle to drive productivity and develop the country’s economy. The support of stakeholders shall continue motivating NEC Agriculture to implement its strategic plan successfully.

What is the big deal about this strategic plan? If you are wondering why exactly this strategic plan actually matters, here is what its implementation will bring about to NEC Agriculture:  Tangible goals & objectives that will deliver value to all stakeholders.  A clear definition of the road that the NEC will travel from hereon, and the various commitments from the members of staff and stakeholders.  A highly visible NEC Agriculture reputed for transparency and its focus on stakeholders and clients,  The rebirth of a super-efficient NEC Agriculture capable of winning accolades through excellent service standards.  An employer of choice offering envious working conditions and professional careers.  An exciting and shared vision and mission that will transform our lives as an important institution in our motherland, Zimbabwe.

Making the strategic launch a little sweeter: the cake presented at the strategic launch ceremony which depicts the different sectors represented at NEC Agriculture.

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Corporate Commitments

NEC Agriculture launched its strategic plan which sets out the goals, objectives, key performance indicators and targets of the organisation. Below are the corporate commitments which will guide NEC Agriculture in its operations: Vision Statement

To be the premier industrial relations and advisory services provider in the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe.

Mission Statement

We deliver first class productivity-based industrial relations and advisory services to the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe.

Core Values

Credibility Reliability Objectivity Professionalism Integrity Teamwork

Acronym:

Payoff Line

Equity-Productivity-Peace in Agriculture

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CYCLONE IDAI – A FLOOD OF TEARS By Tapiwa Svuvure and Elizabeth Musoperi

Cyclone Idai was one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. Idai is the second-deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in the South-West Indian Ocean basin, behind only the 1892 Mauritius cyclone. The long-lived storm caused catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, leaving more than 1,000 people dead and thousands more missing.

The Cyclone swept across the Eastern parts of Zimbabwe and Masvingo on the 15th and 16th of March 2019, leaving a trail of destruction to human life, infrastructure and crops. People lost their lives whilst in their sleep, in the midst of heavy rains, high speed winds, mud slides, and rock falls as the cyclone attacked during the night. An estimated 250 000 people were affected, 60 000 households displaced and more than 345 people confirmed dead, while quite a number are still missing. The most devastating impact was experienced at Ngangu high density suburb, Machongwe and Copa, followed by Chimanimani low density, Chipinge and Middle Sabi.

As Cyclone Idai struck, infrastructure ranging from buildings and roads to bridges and water reservoirs was damaged, destroyed or even swept away completely. The tropical cyclone has also posed a serious health hazard to Chipinge, Chimanimani and parts of Masvingo, as it destroyed ablution facilities, sanitary food storage amenities and water reservoirs that provide clean water. The consequence of all this devastation is further impoverishment in a nation which is already grappling to recover economically.

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Cyclone Idai brought extensive damage to the road network which became unnavigable. Here, a car is stuck in a trench in a road ravaged by Cyclone Idai

Our clients in the agricultural sector were not spared either. Approximately 4700 hectares of crops were destroyed in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts alone, posing serious challenges to the farmers as this will have a huge impact on the quality and quantity of their yield. Maize plants were laid to the ground and, at times, even swept away. Macadamia nuts, avocado pears and bananas were also thrown to the ground by the heavy storm, causing remarkable losses on our clients. The next farming season will also be affected because erosion turned some farming land into untillable sandy deposits. In

8 some instances, rubbles of stones would be heaped in the middle of a field, making it unsuitable for any farming activity. Livestock was also affected as cattle, goats and sheep were swept away, marooned and injured by the floods. Infrastructure was also damaged by the heavy storm. This diverted the attention of most employers in the farming community from the mainline business towards rehabilitation and maintenance of the damaged facilities, thereby causing further loses towards productivity.

Maize crop ruined in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in the eastern part of Zimbabwe.

As per a notice released by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr Madyausiku, on 20 March 2019, we at the NEC Agriculture have responded to Cyclone Idai by collecting donations from the public. Donations will then be handed over to the NEC Coordinating Committee for distribution to victims of Cyclone Idai. We are also collecting data on destruction caused by Cyclone Idai in the agricucltural industry so we can formulate a plan to aid efforts by farmers to resume productivity on their farms.

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6 Cottenham Avenue

Off Lomagundi Road

Greencroft

Harare

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +263-242-334472-3, 303669

Website: www.necagriculture.co.zw