Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
MINISTER of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, has called upon Zimbabwean engineers to play a leading role in driving national development while embracing the highest standards of ethics, innovation, and patriotism.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) Infrastructure Investment Conference at Elephant Hills on Friday, Minister Mavima said engineers were at the heart of the country’s developmental aspirations.
“We cannot speak of national development, we cannot speak of Vision 2030, we cannot speak of economic acceleration, sustainability, and resilience without inevitably speaking about the work, discipline, innovation, and integrity of engineers. Hence, this conference is a national strategic engagement about the future of Zimbabwe’s growth trajectory,” he said.
Drawing from a recent national skills audit, Prof Mavima identified engineering as one of the most decisive and high-impact skills needed for national prosperity. He stressed that the country’s needs go beyond merely producing engineers to cultivating professionals of the highest calibre — ethical, innovative, future-ready, and deeply committed to excellence and national service.
Prof Mavima emphasised the need for professional ethics and integrity.
“Corruption and poor workmanship are enemies of development, as they derail budgets, compromise safety, and erode public trust. Engineers must be guided by the highest ethical standards because the strength of our infrastructure is ultimately the strength of our national values. Excellence must be non-negotiable.
Precision must be habitual, transparency must be instinctive,” he said.
Beyond technical prowess, Prof Mavima outlined a suite of critical attributes required for the modern engineer.
He called for analytical thinkers who are multidisciplinary and comfortable navigating economics, environmental science, digital technologies, management and public policy.
The minister also stressed the necessity of strong communication skills to bridge the gap between technical plans and stakeholder buy-in from policymakers, financiers and communities.
“Above all, you must have a passion for national development — a deep understanding that the bridges you build, the innovations you create, and the systems you design are instruments of nation-building,” he said.
Looking ahead, Prof Mavima detailed an urgent skills evolution agenda, highlighting the centrality of digital engineering tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins, and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics on monitoring and maintenance.
He called for the mainstreaming of green engineering skills, including renewable energy systems, circular economy design and eco-friendly materials.
“Smart infrastructure systems require engineers who can integrate sensors, automation, IoT, and real-time analytics into project design,” he said, underscoring the shift towards interconnected, sustainable infrastructure.
To achieve the desired skills transformation, Prof Mavima emphasised the importance of lifelong learning, urging professional bodies like ZIE to strengthen development pathways and global partnerships. He revealed his ministry’s push for higher learning institutions to embed business-oriented skills into curricula, making Zimbabwean engineers globally competitive and investment-ready.
“Infrastructure requires skills; skills require investment; investment requires confidence; and confidence is built through professionalism, competence and excellence. That is why we view the engineering profession not only as a technical community but as a national strategic asset.
“It is about enabling a child in rural Zimbabwe to cross a safe bridge on the way to school. Engineers are the builders of this hope. They are the designers of progress, and they are the custodians of the future,” he said.
