The moment President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) was plunged intopitch-black darknessat the new, grand Parliament Building on Tuesday 28 October 2025, it became the most public display of Zimbabwe’s persistent power crisis. This power cut was more than a technical glitch; it’s ablaring signthat the country is failing to implement its own progressive green energy policies. Critics are now asking: Why are we rich in sunshine but poor in power?
The Policy-Action Gap- Zimbabwe boasts commendable policy frameworks like the National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy. The goal is clear: transition to a resilient, low-carbon future. Yet, the Parliament—the very symbol of the nation—was paralyzed by a power dip. Energy experts highlight the shocking simplicity of the failure.
The entire conference room, with its lighting and audio, only needs 2.5 to 5.0 kW of power. A basic, dedicated solar backup system for this critical area would have ensured the address continued uninterrupted. “Zimbabwe has enabling policy frameworks to address such challenges but where are we failing?”asks climate change media practitionerTendai Keith Guvamombe.
Read Full Article on Africa Hotspot
[paywall]
The answer is a clear failure to translate high-level policy into practical, on-the-groundenergy resilience. The new, Chinese-built Parliament is majestic, but its design appears to have missed coregreen building concepts. Sustainable design is not just about aesthetics but it’s about resilience.
Imagine the savings if the building maximizednatural light flowfrom the rooftop to the basement, or if it usedpassive ventilationto reduce reliance on power-guzzling air conditioners. Furthermore, simplesmart load shedding—prioritizing the SONA conference room over areas like high-power-consuming elevators—should be standard procedure during national events. Experts are calling for the Parliament to lead the way by fully embracingnet meteringandgreening its entire operation.
This would not only secure its own power supply but also set a vital example for the whole nation. As the President prepares to attend the internationalConference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 30)in Brazil, this blackout provides a powerful, if uncomfortable, backdrop. He must carry a message beyond the noble goals of theOpenWide National Determined Contributioncommunicated at COP 27.
His delegation’s focus must now be ondemonstrating action—showing the globe how his government is urgently addressing domestic energy gaps through sustainable, decentralized solutions. The repeated darkness at SONA is now the brightest spotlight on Zimbabwe’s urgent need to activate its climate policies. It is awake-up callfor a decisive, green energy revolution.
Tendai Keith Guvamombe, is a recognized Climate Change Media Practitioner, emphasizes the urgency of policy-to-action translation. The blackout wasn’t just a political snag; it was a potent symbol that demands a sustainable energy revolution in Zimbabwe email: tendaiguvamombe3@gmail.com
[/paywall]
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
