“Our rukuvhute — the umbilical cord — is the original link to our mother. When buried, it becomes the ultimate connection to our ancestors and the land.” It is from this symbolism that the 2025 Estate Agents Council Land Conference in Victoria Falls opened, grounding modern policy debates in Zimbabwe’s deepest sense of belonging.
Professor Mandi Rukuni set the tone with a challenge: Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads. Demand for land is surging, while a new “enclosure movement” gathers pace. Without coordinated action to secure tenure for users, he warned, livelihoods, investment, and the environment all hang in the balance.
“Land is not just a resource,” added Hon. Nobert Tichaona Mazungunye, speaking at the inaugural session. “It anchors livelihoods, supports food security, and underpins our socio-economic fabric. It is our past, present, and future.”
Across the conference hall at Elephant Hills Resort, participants echoed the same sentiment: the land reform process must now transition from redistribution to administration and security of tenure — the foundation for sustainable growth.
Dr. Nalukui Muwindwa, President of the Zambian Institute of Estate Agents, framed the continental picture: “Ignoring customary land is ignoring the majority; integrating it is unlocking vast, protected value.” She urged African states to harmonize traditional systems with technology — using GIS and blockchain to secure rights for future generations.
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The conference also demystified common legal and administrative questions. National Housing and Social Amenities Permanent Secretary, Eng. Theodius Kudzanayi Chinyanga, clarified that the highest form of land security in Zimbabwe is the Title Deed, which applies to the land, not the building.
Deeds Senior Examiner Talent Elnera Madimu reinforced the point: “The security of your property deed is directly tied to national peace and investment.” A robust land registry system, she explained, not only prevents fraud but also encourages compliance and confidence among investors.
The conference’s overarching message is simple but profound: land rights are not just a rural issue or a technical one — they are a peace and prosperity issue. As the African Union declared in 2009, when people have secure land rights, they build stronger nations.
The energy at the 2025 EAC Land Conference reflects that realisation. Delegates from government, the private sector, and academia have converged not merely to talk, but to map out frameworks that make land the anchor of Zimbabwe’s sustainable future.
All images: Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe
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