At the recent High-Level Intergenerational Roundtable Summit, government leaders and dignitaries converged to discuss the critical theme of “Economic Growth and Empowerment through Collective Action.” The summit highlighted the country’s strategic path towards sustainable development anchored in a people-centered growth model, ethical leadership, and unity among Zimbabweans of all ages.
The Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, opened the summit by emphasizing that economic growth goes beyond financial statistics. “It is the improvement of human wellbeing, the strengthening of national competitiveness, and the widening of opportunities available to all citizens, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” he said. Professor Mavima noted the transition from National Development Strategy 1 to Strategy 2 under Vision 2030, urging that collective action and ethical leadership must be at the heart of this journey.
“Without skilled, motivated, and empowered citizens, even the best‑designed policies cannot transform our economy,” he stressed. The Ministry’s focus on skills identification and aligning human capital with economic priorities was highlighted as a foundation for industry growth, successful investments, and innovation. Professor Mavima called for placing people at the center of development strategies and fostering leadership at all levels—governmental, household, workplace, and community.
Echoing these ideals, Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Dr Kembo Mohadi, praised the Vision 2030 Movement for mobilizing all generations to harness collective wisdom and innovation to build an upper-middle-income society. Drawing inspiration from economic transformations in nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Rwanda, Dr Mohadi inspired the youth to embrace their role as drivers of Zimbabwe’s socio-economic progress.
“As a war veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, I recognize the parallels between the political liberation of our past and the economic liberation we seek today,” said Dr Mohadi. He challenged young Zimbabweans to undertake their own “Chimurenga”—a struggle for prosperity marked by courage, innovation, and resilience.
Dr Mohadi also urged the youth to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies — including robotics, AI, nanotechnology, and 3D printing — and the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vast market opportunities. He called for a transformed mindset rooted in self-belief and integrity, warning against drug and substance abuse threats.
The Vice President reiterated the government’s commitment under the visionary leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to socioeconomic transformation that leaves no one behind. He encouraged youth ownership of development initiatives, stressing the proverb, “Nyika inovakwa nevene wayo, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” meaning “A nation is built and governed by its owners.” He noted that the future lies in the hands of the youth—Zimbabwe’s true custodians and hope for sustained growth.
The summit concluded with an urgent call for ethical leadership as a necessary pillar of national progress. Transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation were hailed as essential to ensuring that economic benefits reach all citizens fairly. Participants committed to work collaboratively across generations to convert visions into concrete actions that achieve Zimbabwe’s development goals by 2030.
As Zimbabwe stands on the cusp of new opportunities, this High-Level Intergenerational Roundtable represents a pivotal moment to unify wisdom, innovation, and collective resolve. The shared vision is clear: build an economy driven by people, sustained by integrity, and empowered by teamwork.