Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Victoria Falls
THERE have been amplified calls for companies to abandon cut-throat rivalry and embrace collaborative models, particularly Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), to propel business growth and national development.
The clarion call was made by Old Mutual Zimbabwe Group CEO, Mr Samuel Matsekede while speaking as the Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe’s 2025 Annual Conference underway here in Victoria Falls.
Mr Matsekede’s presentation was titled “From Rivalry to Cooperation: The Future of Strategic Partnerships.”
He argued that in an uncertain global economic climate, collaboration is no longer a luxury but a strategic imperative for survival and success.
He defined the core of a successful partnership.
“Strategic partnerships are not simple transactions or short-term contracts, but rather long-term agreements built on shared resources, common objectives, and mutual control.
“These alliances allow organisations to pool capabilities and competencies they could not develop internally, offering crucial flexibility and enabling a faster turnaround when speed is critical,” he said.
Mr Matsekede provided a clear framework for understanding collaboration, explaining the unique value of PPPs.
“Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are unique in their focus on public assets and services, combining government oversight with private expertise and resources,” he said.
This model, he contended, is perfectly suited for addressing Zimbabwe’s pressing infrastructure and service delivery needs.
To illustrate the transformative potential of such cooperation, Mr Matsekete have an example of Debswana in Botswana, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the Government.
“Debswana turned the country into a middle-income nation,” he said, highlighting how the partnership contributes around 30 percent of GDP, over 75 percent of exports, and tens of thousands of jobs.
This, he emphasised, demonstrates the immense national impact a well-structured partnership can deliver.
He also cited the historic joint venture between oil giants SoCal and Texaco, which eventually evolved into the global behemoth Caltex, as proof that cooperation can build empires far greater than what competition alone can achieve.
However, Mr Matsekede cautioned that success is not guaranteed by a mere handshake.
“Partnerships require sustained effort in governance, compliance, ethics, and operational alignment,” he said.
Looking to the future, he observed that local firms face significant threats from foreign players who benefit from scale and subsidies.
The solution, he proposed, lies in innovative partnerships that combine local knowledge with international expertise.
Mr Matsekede urged a fundamental mindset shift among businesses and policymakers alike.
He championed the view that strategic partnerships, when grounded in good governance and ethical practice, can unlock shared value, accelerate development, and strengthen resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.
