The Honorable Vice President Cde Joyce Mujuru visited SIRDC on 5 October 2005 to familiarize herself with the operations of the Centre. She was accompanied by the Honorable Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (S&T) Development, Cde Patrick Zhuwao, the Permanent Secretary in Vice President Mujuru’s Office, Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango and the Director of Projects and Programmes in the Ministry of S & T Development, Mrs Rungano Karimanzira. The Vice President was met by SIRDC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robson Mafoti and his executive management team. The SIRDC Board Chairman, Dr Gibson Mandishona, also witnessed the occasion.

SIRDC was established under the provisions of the Research Act whose administration falls under Vice President Mujuru’s portfolio.

The Vice President held discussions with SIRDC Management, and SIRDC Institute Directors made presentations to give her an overview of the Center’s activities and work programmes.

Cde Mujuru remarked that the visit, which she referred to as an “early Christmas present” for her, was an eye opener as the synoptic institute presentations gave her insight into SIRDC operations. She toured manufacturing units for microconcrete roofing tiles (now rebranded as SIRTILES), science laboratory and teaching equipment (SLATE), foundry (branded SIRMET) and SIRDAMECTIN (a veterinary pour-on drug for control of external and internal parasites). These four products are now being commercialized under SirTech Investments, a joint venture company between SIRDC and FINTRUST (a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe). She was pleased to note that SIRDC had made such notable achievements using indigenous expertise of the sons and daughters of the soil.

Other projects highlighted during institute presentations included:

• Mushroom spawn production and mushroom cultivation of both oyster and button mushroom. Research is also ongoing on indigenous mushroom.
• Promoting the utilization of indigenous food crops by developing food products based on the indigenous crops, e.g. cereal-legume composite mix, savoury snacks, health bars, health drinks, bread and porridge
• Foot and mouth diagnostic kits
• Disease-free sweet potato planting material
• Medicinal herbs, including value addition to produce teas, spices, etc.
• Development of drought tolerant and pest resistant maize varieties scheduled for commercialization in 2007
• HIV/AIDS therapeutic interventions
• Recovery of gold in mine dumps (Roasting Plant in Kwekwe)
• Rammed earth technology
• Software development
• Gravity grinding mill
• Development of testing and measurement equipment
• Development of renewable energy products
• Cleaner production technologies
• Development of nutritional guidelines for optimal health.

Cde Mujuru endorsed SIRDC’s commercialization programme she pledged to support such endeavours adding that nobody can be allowed to derail this new business dispensation as long as the activities were meant to benefit the country.