By Own Correspondent| President Mnangagwa is expected to open the First Session of the Ninth Parliament and present his first State of the Nation  Address (SONA) on Tuesday amid expectations that the country’s leader will hint on how his government will address the current social and economic woes.

Citizens who spoke to ZimEye revealed that they hoped the president will reveal how the new leadership will address the cholera epidermic and the increasing cost of living due to the ever increasing prices of goods and services.

Priscilla Mereka from Zengeza 5 in Chitungwiza lamented the high cost of living adding that the new dispensation had brought  with it new prices for everything which were beyond the reach of many.

“Bread is now $1.10 and prices for commodities such as rice, cooking oil, washing and bathing soap among others  have gone up. I am yet to hear of a company which has increased a salary for its workers,” she said, adding that she hoped Mnangagwa would tell the nation on how government would address price increases.

Added Patricia Nyimwanda also from Chitungwiza:

“I hope the president will tell the nation how he is going to deal with cholera and price increases. It looks like we are going back to 2008 where you just wake up being told that the price of goods and services have gone up.”

Jacob Gavi, (47) called on president Mnangagwa to address the issue of employment and not dwell on mere promises.

“I am a graduate and I am hoping to hear how government is going to create employment for the youths. I hope we are not heading for another 5 years of empty promises,” said Gavi.

This is Mnangagwa’s first SONA after winning the disputed July 30 Presidential election.

The SONA and the official opening will be done during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

The President is also expected to set out the legislative agenda for the first session, during this official opening.

Said the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda:

“It is hereby notified, for public information, that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa will – ( a) in terms of Section 140(1) of the Constitution – address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, 18th September, 2018, at 12 o’clock at the Parliament Building during, which he will set out the Government’s legislative agenda for the Ninth Parliament; and (b) in terms of Section 140(4) of the Constitution deliver the State of the Nation Address.”