WATCH LIVE as Gambakwe looks at the diplomatic blunder by Zimbabwe President, ED Mnangagwa, the only African President at the Victory Day event in China. Here is a summary of the latest news and events based on our reports.
Please watch the video above this post for more details
National Commemoration in China
On September 3, 2025, China will hold a major national commemoration for the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Beijing for the event.
A number of international leaders were invited, including:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin
- North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un
- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni
- Vietnamese President Luong Cuong
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel
- Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
- Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was also on the guest list but later canceled his trip.
Top Trending Stories (Zimbabwe)
- Fatal Road Crashes: A series of fatal road accidents occurred in Zimbabwe between August 25 and August 31, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people. Two of the most severe incidents included a minibus crash on the Harare-Nyamapanda Road that killed seven family members and a bus collision on the Mutare-Masvingo Road that resulted in eight fatalities.
- Government Project Approval: A recently published letter indicates that President Mnangagwa approved the Magunje project by Lebanmon.
- University Enrollment Decline: Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) is experiencing a decline in student enrollment, with a reduction of 415 students in its latest graduating class. This trend is attributed to financial challenges, as many Zimbabwean families struggle to pay fees that start from US$750 and higher.
- Theft Sentences: Two Zimbabweans have been sentenced for car theft.
Business News
- South Africa: ArcelorMittal SA Closure: The South African steel company ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) is shutting down its long steel business, which will lead to the loss of 3,500 jobs. Despite receiving a R1.7 billion check from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in April, the company’s financial struggles, including a cumulative loss of R1.7 billion since 2023, have forced the closure.
- South Africa: Post Office Parcels Suspension: The South African Post Office has temporarily suspended all outbound parcels to the United States. This is a result of a new U.S. policy that removes the $800 duty-free exemption for incoming packages, requiring postal operators to collect new tariffs.
- South Africa: Richards Bay Minerals: Rio Tinto, the new owner of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), is reviewing its assets and may sell the company.
- Zambia: Inflation: Zambia’s annual inflation rate has eased slightly to 12.6% in August from 13% in July, driven by improved trade balances.
Africa News
- Julius Malema in Nigeria: The leader of South Africa’s EFF, Julius Malema, delivered a keynote address at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference. He called for greater African unity, a borderless continent, and a single currency.
- Malawi Government: The government of Malawi is still searching for a replacement for Pilot Colonel Owen Sambalopa, who died in a 2024 plane crash.
- South Africa: Longevity Report: The Vhembe District in Limpopo, South Africa, was highlighted in a 2022 Census report as having the highest number of centenarians in the country, with over 2,000.
- South Africa: GPAA Investigation: The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has launched a forensic investigation into a leak of internal documents from a 2024/25 draft audit report that revealed allegations of financial mismanagement amounting to over R500 million.
