President Emmerson Mnangagwa cutting the ribbon at Mutare Teachers College while the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education look on
By George Swarei
Mutare, Zimbabwe – July 4, 2024: President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art fruit juice and water processing plant at Mutare Teachers’ College today. The event was marked by a speech emphasizing the significant strides Zimbabwe is making in innovation and industrialization.
In his address, President Mnangagwa highlighted the plant as a testament to what Zimbabweans can achieve through unity and collaboration. He lauded the initiative as part of the broader national agenda under the Heritage Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which focuses on promoting innovation, hard work, and entrepreneurial mindsets in educational institutions.
The Plant Commissioned by President Mnangagwa at Mutare Teachers College
“This plant is a demonstration of what Zimbabweans can achieve when we put our hands and minds together,” said Mnangagwa. “It dovetails with our rallying call and philosophy to nation-building: ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo’.”
The inauguration comes ahead of Zimbabwe’s hosting of the SADC Industrialisation Week later this month, which will focus on promoting innovation for sustainable economic growth. The President noted that the event would be an opportunity to showcase the country’s advancements in education and industrialization.
The Mutare Teachers’ College plant, a collaborative effort with Masvingo Polytechnic and Verify Engineering, will produce 16,000 liters of fruit juice daily from locally sourced fruits such as baobab, pineapple, banana, and guava. The project is expected to boost local economies by creating revenue and employment opportunities.
“This plant will produce 16,000 liters of fruit juice on an 8-hour working day. The juices will be developed from locally available fruits that are abundant in Manicaland Province,” Mnangagwa stated. “The commercial processing of juices will also enhance the nutrition and dietary well-being of our people.”
The President called for the expansion of production lines to include high-value products such as baobab powder and oils for cosmetic uses, emphasizing the need to move up the value chain in line with the country’s industrialization policies.
Mnangagwa also urged the private sector to establish mentorship programs to support graduates from innovation hubs and industrial parks, fostering the commercialization of new inventions and products.
“The private sector is urged to take a leading role in the commercialisation of the inventions, products, and services emanating from start-ups,” he added.
President Mnangagwa called for other educational institutions to emulate Mutare Teachers’ College’s initiative, promoting sustainable rural industrialization across Zimbabwe.
“Tomorrow is a future, which we must construct today, brick by brick and stone upon stone, we are building the Zimbabwe we want,” he said.
The commissioning of the fruit juice and water processing plant marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to enhance industrial capacity and self-sufficiency, setting a precedent for future projects nationwide.
