Section 18: Fair regional representation
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) The State must promote the fair representation of all Zimbabwe’s regions in all institutions and agencies of government at every level.
(2) The State and all institutions and agencies of the State and government at every level must take practical measures to ensure that all local communities have equitable access to resources to promote their development.
Insight: Balancing Regional Equity
This section establishes two complementary principles of regional equality: representational fairness and resource distribution. It creates a constitutional obligation for the government to ensure that no regions are marginalized in either political representation or developmental resources. This provision serves as a safeguard against historical patterns where certain regions might receive preferential treatment in appointments or resource allocation, which has been a source of tension in many African nations with diverse regional identities.