Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE must harness its considerable intellectual capital to drive national development, with intensified research in priority areas such as agriculture, mining, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, medicine, climate resilience and indigenous knowledge, Zanu PF Secretary-General Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said.
Speaking at a Capacity Building Workshop at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare yesterday, Adv Mudenda — who is also the Speaker of Parliament — declared that education remains the principal and most potent catalyst for industrialisation, modernisation, scientific advancement and comprehensive socio-economic transformation.
“There is no denying that Research and Innovation are fundamental drivers of national development, economic transformation and strategic sovereignty,” said Adv Mudenda.
The secretary-general emphasised that Zimbabwe must move from being a consumer of imported knowledge, technology, goods and services to becoming a producer of relevant knowledge and solutions that enhance self-reliance, socio-economic prosperity and national sovereignty.
Adv Mudenda hailed the transformative impact of the Education 5.0 Model on Zimbabwe’s higher and tertiary education system. Previously, the system focused primarily on teaching, research and community service, the system is now described as “a powerful engine of innovation, industrialisation and national heritage”.
Under this model, Adv Mudenda implored universities to convert knowledge and research into patented inventions under copyrights, creating wealth for tertiary institutions and the nation at large.
“That is precisely what universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University have achieved by embracing and benefiting from a clear, innovative purpose,” he said.
The central objective, he added, is to move from an education system that produces job seekers to one that produces innovators, entrepreneurs and wealth creators — ensuring that knowledge directly contributes to national productivity, socio-economic transformation and Zimbabwe’s strategic self-reliance.
The Capacity Building Workshop was held under the theme: “Strengthening Ideological Clarity and Mobilisation Capacity of Party Secretaries for Education, Ideology and Research”.
Adv Mudenda described education as the master key that unlocks all other doors of progress, premised on President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo / Ilizwe Lakhiwa ngabanikazi Balo”— meaning “The Nation is Built by its Owners.”
He stressed that for education to be transformative, the subject and object of that transformation must be prepared for the decolonisation of the mindset and develop a sense of self-belief in the transformation process.
“As Zimbabweans, our conception of education must transcend the narrow and often utilitarian thrust of the educational process which must go beyond the outcome of examinations and the certification of qualifications so achieved,” he stressed.
ZANU PF Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology, Cde Charles Tawengwa, said the department remains the intellectual engine of the party.
“Our responsibility is to preserve our revolutionary values, strengthen ideological consciousness, promote research and ensure that every cadre understands both our history and our vision for the future,” said Cde Tawengwa.
He said sound decisions must be informed by credible evidence and careful analysis.
“We must understand the concerns of our communities, assess the effectiveness of our programmes and anticipate emerging political, economic and social developments. This workshop should therefore strengthen your capacity to establish effective provincial research structures that provide timely and practical recommendations to the party leadership,” he stressed.
Cde Tawengwa called on the party leadership to embrace continuous learning, discipline, integrity and accountability.
“As custodians of education and ideology, we must lead by example, ensuring that our conduct reflects the values we teach,” he said.
He described education, ideology and research as tools for serving the people.
The workshop was attended by Politburo members, Ministers, senior Government officials, Vice Chancellors and Heads of Institutions of Higher Learning, eminent educationists, policymakers, researchers and administrators.
The gathering underscored the party’s commitment to positioning education and research at the centre of Zimbabwe’s development agenda, with a clear vision of building a self-reliant, prosperous nation through the power of knowledge and innovation.
