Lord Collins shares toast with Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu and Ambassador Peter Vowels at the King Charles III birthday party in Harare
By Dickson Bandera
The British Embassy in Harare hosted a high-level reception on Tuesday to mark the 76th birthday of King Charles III, a gathering that fused royal celebration with strategic diplomacy.
The event, held at the British Ambassador’s residence, drew a wide cross-section of Zimbabwe’s political, diplomatic, and civic leadership, and became a powerful statement of Britain and Zimbabwe’s ongoing diplomatic re-engagement.
The guests of honour at the celebration were the UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, Raymond Edward Harry Collins, who was joined by Zimbabwe’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu.
Before joining the celebration at the British residency, Lord Collins earlier met with President Mnangagwa at the State House where the two discussed issues surrounding bilateral relations.
In his remarks, Lord Collins reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to strengthening relations with Zimbabwe, describing the need to develop a strong partnership as “a shared ambition”.
“I met His Excellency President Mnangagwa and I was absolutely pleased to meet the acting foreign minister too. And we shared — we discussed — our shared ambition, a shared ambition about developing a strong partnership. A partnership based on equality and respect but focused on our joint objective mission of economic growth,” he said.
“But what I did explain to him was that the partnership we were developing — which is at the heart of our new approach to the continent. Since I was appointed last July, I’ve been focused on developing that partnership, focused on how we can deliver that new approach,” he said.
On trade, the Minister highlighted the UK’s ongoing economic partnerships with Zimbabwe, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy and sport, and expressed optimism about deepening economic ties.
He said British businesses are exploring investments worth up to $1 billion — across sectors ranging from solar energy to agriculture.
“But our partnership isn’t just about trade. At its heart, it’s about our people. Many of these businesses have links, and possibly it’s because of their friendship across our peoples that they can absolutely deliver,” he said.
He also praised Zimbabwe’s visible efforts to address the three key pillars required for re-engagement: respect for human rights, adherence to democratic processes, and economic reform.
He noted that while Zimbabwe’s readmission into the Commonwealth remained a shared aspiration, it was not a matter for the UK alone to decide.
“This is a collective decision of all Commonwealth members,” he said. “It is a process, not an event, but we are seeing encouraging signs and a genuine will to move forward.”
He also commented on the recent sporting developments.
“And nowhere more is that people-to-people connection, as the ambassador said, more visible than the recent test match in Nottingham.
“What a fantastic moment to see thousands of our cricket fans come together to celebrate the first match between our teams in 22 years.
“Indeed, everywhere you look in the UK, you find examples of Zimbabweans making valuable contributions to the British economy, culture, and frontline services,” he noted.
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu responded in kind, thanking the United Kingdom for its continued engagement and signalling Harare’s readiness to rebuild trust with its former colonial power.
In a show of political unity, the guest list featured prominent figures from across Zimbabwe’s political divide. Among the attendees were former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, opposition leader Job Sikhala, Fadzayi Mahere, Zivai Mhetu, Caston Mateu, Richard Tsvangirai, Ostallos Gift Siziba, among others.
Senior officials from the ruling ZANU-PF were also present, including former Cabinet Minister and Parliamentary Portifo Committee Chairperson on Foreign Affairs, Hon Webster Shamu, Zanu PF spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, Deputy Youth and Empowerment Minister Hon Kudakwashe Junior Mpamhanga, and Permanent Secretary for Information Nick Mangwana, among others.
Their shared presence at the diplomatic function reflected a moment of political convergence.
Captains of industry and commerce, civil society leaders and many other community leaders were also present.
Prominent journalist Blessed Mhlanga was also among those in attendance, together with many other journalists.
The event was held in honour of King Charles III, who ascended the throne in 2022 following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles represents both continuity and a new chapter for the British monarchy. Known for his long-standing advocacy on climate change, heritage preservation, and interfaith dialogue, his reign is unfolding at a time when the monarchy is recalibrating its role in a post-colonial, post-Brexit world.
For Zimbabwe — a nation that once proudly held Commonwealth membership — the symbolism of celebrating a British monarch’s birthday while seeking re-entry into the Commonwealth was not lost on observers.
Zimbabwe’s relationship with the Commonwealth was severed in 2003 under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, amid international condemnation over allegations of human rights violations, political repression, and land reform policies.
The fallout ushered in years of international isolation and diplomatic strain. Since the 2017 ousting of Mugabe and the rise of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Harare has launched a re-engagement agenda, with Commonwealth readmission near the top of its foreign policy priorities.
Zimbabwe formally applied to rejoin the Commonwealth in 2018. Since then, several fact-finding missions and consultations have taken place. Readmission remains contingent on reforms, particularly around electoral integrity, media freedom, and judicial independence.
Tuesday’s celebration marked a positive moment in the long arc of re-engagement. As the evening air filled with diplomatic conversation and ceremonial toasts, it was evident that both Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom are cautiously building a future on the foundations of a complicated past.
Whether this renewed goodwill will translate into policy shifts or institutional change remains to be seen, but the atmosphere in Harare suggested that the door to re-engagement is open — and the momentum is growing.
