'I Will Bring Zimbabwe From The Cold' - Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to bring his country in from the cold.

In his first state of the nation address since taking office last month, he promised to make Zimbabwe an attractive investment destination once again.

Under his predecessor Robert Mugabe, the country was isolated thanks several controversial policies and a poor human rights record.

The speech comes against a backdrop of restlessness over soaring food prices and high levels of unemployment.

President Mnangangwa has presented his plans before in several speeches since taking office - and there are very few surprises here.

His main focus remains preparing for credible elections next year and fixing the economy.

He has laid out a detailed plan liberalising policies, in the hope that Zimbabwe will once again be attractive to investors.

For the opposition, what his speech missed were the political details – like whether there will be reforms to the state media and electoral management body.

They believe key institutions have given the ruling Zanu-PF party an unfair advantage in previous elections.