Story by Theophilus Chuma
THE ruling ZANU PF party has reaffirmed that education remains central to Zimbabwe’s long-term strategy for inclusive development, innovation and national progress.
Addressing the ZANU PF Secretaries Capacity Building Workshop in Harare on Thursday, the party’s Secretary General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, said no country could achieve sustainable development without investing in a robust education system.
“No nation can truly aspire to sustainable prosperity and joy and peace and genuine self-determination without deliberately and properly investing in an education system that is meticulously designed to develop competent citizens,” he said.
Advocate Mudenda said education provides the foundation for a knowledge-based economy, where innovation, critical thinking and national values are cultivated to support sustainable development.
“The future of every nation, its developmental trajectory, its prosperity, its existence in the global socio-economic hemisphere, is more than seeing the ecosystem of its educational institutions. It is in this ecosystem where the seeds of innovation are sown, where critical thought is enhanced, and where foundational values of society are instilled. Only after this crucial incubation period can these aspirations blossom and be realised in our national development agenda.
“This speaks true to the enduring belief of the late icon Nelson Mandela, who affirmed that ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’,” he said.
The workshop aligns with government’s drive to position education, research and innovation as key pillars of sustainable national development.
ZANU PF Secretary for Education, Ideology and Research, Senator Charles Tawengwa, said continuous political education and research were essential to strengthening the party and improving governance.
“A Party that invests in education remains resilient, united and focused. As Provincial and District Coordinating Committee Secretaries, you are the vital link between the national leadership and our grassroots structures. You have the responsibility to ensure that our members understand Party policies, values and strategic objectives, while building politically conscious cadres capable of engaging communities and contributing to national development.
“Research is equally indispensable. Sound decisions must be informed by credible evidence and careful analysis. We must understand the concerns of our communities, assess the effectiveness of our programmes and anticipate emerging political, economic and social developments,” he said.
The capacity-building workshop is expected to equip party secretaries with the skills to translate policy into practical programmes that promote economic empowerment, job creation and national development.
