President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
By George Swarei
Harare, Zimbabwe – In a bold address at the University of Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to revolutionize their education systems to spur sustainable industrialization.
Speaking at the 7th SADC Summit Public Lecture, Mnangagwa emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in education, prioritizing research, science, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth.
“The current education framework is skewed towards the past colonial architecture, and it cannot adequately leapfrog the industrialization of SADC,” Mnangagwa said, highlighting Zimbabwe’s own efforts to transform its education system through the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Philosophy.
Mnangagwa’s call to action comes as SADC faces pressing challenges, including climate change, global economic shocks, and uneven socio-economic development. The President stressed the need for collective action to address these issues and position SADC as a competitive economic bloc.
The speech was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Ministers, and diplomats from SADC member states.
Mnangagwa’s proposals include:
– Transforming education to produce innovators and industrialists
– Establishing innovation hubs, industrial parks, and incubation centers
– Increasing investment in research and development
– Promoting import substitution and export-led growth
The President’s address sets the tone for the 44th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for later this week in Harare.
