Story by Josephine Mugiyo

ZIMBABWE has welcomed the theme of the 43rd Ordinary SADC Heads of State Summit in Angola saying it speaks to the country’s strides in creating an effective and competent base of skilled manpower through the Education 5.0 model.

Since the beginning of the SADC Summit in Luanda, Angola early this week, officials from the member states have been conducting meetings as they discuss the importance of financing and human capital in economic growth.

Zimbabwe’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira says African countries have to produce goods and services based on their human capital base to thrive.

“So far what is the agenda is the industrialisation drive, if we are to be held with the dignity we deserve, we must industrialise. We have to produce goods and services based on our human capital and finances,” he said.

The summit is running under the theme: “Human and financial capital: The key drivers for sustainable industrialisation of the SADC Region.”

Bringing the theme of the summit back home, Professor Murwira said Zimbabwe is well placed in terms of building its human capital as evidenced by what has been achieved through Education 5.0 under the Second Republic.

“President Mnangagwa’s focus has always been correct on the human capital. Because all we see is a result of knowledge and skill. That’s why H.E has focused on Education 5.0. Deeply speaking the sovereignty of a nation is anchored on its human capital,” he added.

Heads of State from SADC countries have started arriving in Luanda for the official opening this Thursday.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to also join his counterparts for the official opening.