Story by Justin Mahlahla
PROJECT managers under the age of 40 were honoured last night for their contributions to various sectors in Zimbabwe, recognising their role in shaping the future of project management.
The awards ceremony, organised by the Chartered Institute of Project Management Zimbabwe, celebrated 40 young leaders implementing transformative projects across the country.
The event, themed “Shaping the Future of Project Management,” highlighted the importance of innovation and leadership in driving national development.
Guest of Honour, Skills Audit and Development Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, commended the initiative, noting its alignment with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.
“This vision is anchored on the tenets of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable development, underpinned by a whole-of-government approach that ensures no one and no place is left behind,” Minister Mavima said.
“This year’s awards ceremony, themed “Shaping the Future of Project Management,” resonates deeply with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 thrust, which seeks to transform our country into an upper-middle-income economy society by the year 2030. This vision is anchored on the tenets of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable development, underpinned by a whole-of-government approach that ensures no one and no place is left behind.
“As we celebrate these young leaders, we are reminded that the future begins today. What will the future look like? What will Zimbabwe look like? The answer lies in the work we are celebrating here. It will look exactly as we build it—brick by brick, project by project. These 40 under 40 Young Project Leaders represent a generation of innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers who are already making significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s growth and prosperity.
“Their work aligns with our national aspirations, driving economic development, job creation, and sustainable growth. The projects they manage today will shape our communities, industries, and the nation for years to come. Our President. Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in his wisdom, established the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, which I proudly lead, to spearhead human capital development in the country through a national skills audit, sectoral skills audits as well as rolling out of programmes across all sectors that promote skills development. This is being done with a focus on creating a workforce that is ready for the future.”
Professor Mavima said his ministry is engaging training institutions, public and private, to ensure that training curricula is aligned with industry needs so that Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development is accelerated.
The Minister challenged the young project leaders to innovate and apply their skills towards building a futuristic and prosperous Zimbabwe.
“When I look at the young people in this room, I see skills that are pivotal to the building of a Dubai-like Zimbabwe, a Singapore-like Zimbabwe, a Zimbabwe that stands tall among other developed nations of the world. It is possible, all we need is a collective drive to harness our capabilities and roll out projects that reflect the Zimbabwe we want,” Minister Mavima said.
“This ceremony is not merely about recognising outstanding achievements, it is about acknowledging the immense potential these young leaders hold for Zimbabwe. It is about honouring their ambition, tenacity, and vision for a brighter tomorrow. Their efforts are a testament to the power of youth and the transformative impact of effective project management,” he said.
The Minister stated that the future of project management in Zimbabwe is in safe hands with the young leaders at the helm.
“Their work is a reflection of the Presidential support for youth empowerment and their programmes, which are critical to achieving our national goals. This is achieved through the creation of a peaceful and conducive environment that allows our young citizenry to freely pursue their own aspirations and contribute to a prosperous Zimbabwe.
“Even as we mark Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Anniversary this year, we are reminded of the importance of building our nation with determination, unity, and a shared vision,” Professor Mavima said.
Project leaders received awards in civil engineering, waste management, telecommunications, construction, and information communication technologies, among other sectors.
