Online Reporter
Martin Kadzere
THE journey of Kennedy Dera, a key figure in Zimbabwe’s hospitality sector, began far from the boardrooms and national institutions he now leads. His story is rooted in the humble, vibrant life of Dera Village in Mutasa District, where his early experiences shaped the leader he is today.
Growing up in the rural expanse, Mr Dera embraced the quintessential village life. As a young boy, he spent days herding cattle with fellow village boys, an experience that instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility and camaraderie.
Weekends were often filled with adventurous pursuits, including enjoying refreshing swims in the local rivers, Mubvumira, Masika and Matsungo, and the occasional thrill of hunting with friends and village elders. This was just the beginning of a life that would ultimately lead to significant responsibilities at a national level.
“The open fields, the cool river swims, and the thrill of the hunt — these rural experiences were the foundation for a life now dedicated to national progress,” Mr Dera remarked in an interview.
His education began at Triashill Primary Mission, a historic and spiritually significant site in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1896 and being one of the first Catholic missions in Zimbabwe, it is renowned for its annual celebrations that draw hundreds of Catholics globally to commemorate its original site.
Triashill Mission holds a solemn graveyard where bishops, priests and sisters, some flown from as far as Ireland, are laid to rest.
After completing his primary education, Mr Dera moved to Harare for his secondary education, attending Cranborne High School. He subsequently acquired several academic qualifications with local institutions before earning his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom.
Mr Dera, human resource executive at Tsebo Zimbabwe, a leading multinational facilities management firm, is widely recognised for his forward-thinking leadership, particularly for championing Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives and securing top employer certifications across Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
His strategic approach and dedication to excellence consistently shape organisational culture and drive sustainable growth within the sectors he influences.
As the president of the Catering Employers’ Association of Zimbabwe (CEAZ), Mr Dera spearheads a representative body for a diverse spectrum of businesses in the hospitality and catering sector.
This ranges from expansive hotel chains and international franchised establishments to hybrid fast-food outlets, entertainment facilities and numerous small, start-up and family-owned businesses.
Under his guidance, CEAZ actively advocates for employers in labour negotiations, promotes job creation, and supports small enterprises by offering advisory and technical assistance to help them navigate regulatory and compliance frameworks.
The association also provides crucial strategic guidance on workforce planning and pension fund management, contributes to shaping industry policies via the NEC, and champions professionalism, transparency and ethical governance, delivering world-class value in employer representation and human capital solutions.
Since his appointment, Mr Dera’s paramount priority for CEAZ has been to drive new investment by vigorously lobbying for an improved ease of doing business environment. This crucial initiative is firmly anchored on the goal of recovering jobs lost during the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
“As a committed bipartite partner, we have also played a pivotal role in regulating the hospitality and catering sector through collaborative efforts with labour organisations under the National Employment Council.
These initiatives are central to restoring industry resilience and fostering inclusive growth across Zimbabwe’s hospitality ecosystem,” said Mr Dera.
To tackle the most significant challenges currently facing the industry, Mr Dera and his team have focused intensely on revitalising job opportunities post-Covid by promoting new investments and advocating for a more business-friendly environment. Through CEAZ, they have prioritised regulatory reform and industry recovery, working in close collaboration with labour partners.
He outlined a multi-pronged strategy to address structural challenges. This includes robust lobbying for streamlined regulatory processes and enhanced ease of doing business to attract new entrants and scale up operations.
Human capital development remains a major priority to mitigate skills migration, anchoring on vocational training, certification pathways, and industry apprenticeships to build a resilient and skilled workforce.
Additionally, CEAZ advocates for standardisation across the sector by promoting a uniform service delivery code and comprehensive compliance frameworks. ESG integration also features prominently in their plan, with initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable practices and labour best-practices.
Mr Dera expressed his excitement regarding the Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy 2025–2030, which was officially launched by President Mnangagwa this week.
The forward-looking policy outlines a strategic roadmap designed to transform the sector into a US$5 billion economy. Its core focus areas include promoting sustainable tourism by enhancing destination competitiveness, attracting vital investment, improving critical infrastructure, streamlining regulations and significantly boosting international visibility.
The policy also underscores community empowerment, digital transformation and conservation as key pillars to drive inclusive economic growth and support Zimbabwe’s broader Vision 2030.
Envisioning greater collaboration among CEAZ members to strengthen the industry, Mr Dera highlighted the crucial partnerships with the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) and the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ).
“Through our partnerships, we have a shared vision for growth and sustainability,” Mr Dera said. “By aligning policy advocacy, pooling market intelligence and launching integrated training and marketing initiatives, the partnership intends to elevate service standards, enhance brand visibility, and strengthen industry cohesion.
“Shared benefits such as cross-membership perks and joint forums would foster deeper engagement and create a robust ecosystem for innovation and operational excellence across the sector.”
Beyond his demanding professional responsibilities, Mr Dera is an ardent animal conservationist. His passion lies in protecting wildlife and preserving natural habitats to ensure the survival of diverse animal species.
He actively participates in the annual international cycling event in Hwange, an endeavour dedicated to raising awareness and crucial funds for borehole drilling within the Hwange National Park.
He is also an active member of Triashill Alumni, an association dedicated to local development projects. The group has significantly supported the church, school, and clinic by providing computers, school furniture, boreholes and even essential drugs and fuel for the ambulance.
As a leader, he understands the importance of balancing the demands of his high-profile roles with maintaining a healthy personal and social life. He finds enjoyment in mountain bike cycling and has recently joined a social running club. Travelling also provides a refreshing escape and allows him to recharge.
Mr Dera’s journey from the rural landscapes of Mutasa to his pivotal national roles exemplifies a life dedicated to driving organisational change, fostering high-performance cultures and delivering sustainable growth across diverse markets. His strategic foresight and relentless pursuit of innovation continue to shape the future of Zimbabwe’s hospitality industry.
