Minister Chadzamira Urges Students to Drive Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 Through Innovation

MASVINGO — Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Ezra Chadzamira, has called on Zimbabwean youths to harness their energy, intellect, and creativity to lead the country’s transition into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

Addressing students during a public lecture hosted by the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) at the Reformed Church University (RCU), just outside Masvingo City, Minister Chadzamira emphasized the critical role of young people in shaping a prosperous, knowledge-driven future.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey,” said Minister Chadzamira. “The vision of a knowledge-based, prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030 is not a distant dream—it is a goal within our reach. At the very heart of achieving this vision lies the dynamism, intellect and unwavering commitment of our students.”

Chadzamira urged students to embrace innovation, research, and critical thinking as core pillars of national development. He highlighted the Government’s heritage-based Education 5.0 model as a transformative framework designed to equip students with skills in teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialisation.

He further encouraged universities in Masvingo province, including RCU, to establish industrial parks tailored to their areas of expertise, saying these would serve as launchpads for entrepreneurship and industrial transformation.

“Our tertiary institutions must evolve into innovation hubs,” he said. “Each must build industrial parks aligned with its niche, to produce solutions that address local challenges while creating economic opportunities.”

Minister Chadzamira also pointed out that the Second Republic, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has established several financial institutions to empower young entrepreneurs. Among these is Empower Bank, created specifically to finance youth-led projects.

“There are opportunities now more than ever for young people to access capital and turn their ideas into viable enterprises,” said the minister. “What we need is the boldness to act and the discipline to sustain the vision.”

The minister’s lecture comes at a time when Zimbabwe is placing increased emphasis on building a knowledge-based economy as a foundation for long-term development. The country’s Vision 2030 roadmap aims to foster inclusive growth through innovation, industrialisation, and youth empowerment.

His message resonated strongly with the student body, many of whom are already engaged in research and entrepreneurial ventures. The call to action aligns with growing national efforts to channel the energy of Zimbabwe’s youthful population—estimated to be over 60% of the total population—toward tangible development outcomes.

As the countdown to 2030 continues, Minister Chadzamira’s address stands as a rallying call for students to step forward not only as beneficiaries of national progress but as its architects.