Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
LEADERSHIP is a trust bestowed by people, colleagues and society, and is anchored in resilience, accountability and integrity, Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
He urged aspiring leaders to embody these virtues if they hope to assume leadership positions.
The Acting President was speaking at the 7th Intergenerational Retreat of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), where participants sought to understand the principles behind Zimbabwe’s success in advancing leadership roles in international organisations.
Dr Chiwenga officially opened the retreat in Harare yesterday, which drew more than 300 women leaders from across the continent.
Notable attendees included former African Union Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde and former Liberian President and AWLN patron Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The retreat aims to foster intergenerational dialogue and empower young women across sectors, while tackling pressing issues such as gender-based violence, economic participation and political representation.
During the event, Acting President Chiwenga accepted a special award on behalf of President Mnangagwa, recognising Zimbabwe’s strides in women’s empowerment through progressive legislation, which has led to greater leadership opportunities for women.
After opening the retreat, Dr Chiwenga was asked for his advice on leadership and delivered a wide-ranging response drawn from nearly five decades of experience, spanning his days as a guerrilla commander in the liberation struggle, his service in the defence forces and his current role in the Presidium.
“No drugs; no use of those dangerous substances. Be principled and walk the talk,” he said.
“I take my own example and I reflect on my background in the army, both in the guerrilla army and in the conventional national army. At that age, which you have been told, I recognised that leadership is a continuous path of learning, sacrifice and service.
“It does not just come on a silver platter; you have to have lots of sacrifice and remain focused on what you want to achieve.
“So, I say to the next generation of African leaders, my advice will be threefold. First, embrace resilience. Leadership will bring challenges and setbacks, what defines you is not the obstacles faced but your determination to rise above them.”
He stressed that leaders must understand that challenges are inevitable, but resilience is what separates true leaders from the rest.
“View difficulties as opportunities for growth and let resilience transform adversity into strength,” he said.
“The second issue I want to advise you on is to cultivate accountability. Integrity and transparency are fundamental; this was my area of study.
“You must be ethical at all times. There is no way that you can say I am ethical in the morning and in the evening you are not. So, leadership is a trust placed on you by your people, placed on you by your colleagues, placed upon you by society. So, carry that responsibility well. Always act responsibly. Accountability builds trust, strengthens institutions and deepens democracy.
“The third issue that I would like to advise is to prioritise service. True leadership is not about power, but purpose. Distinguish between power and purpose.
“Serve with humility, listen with empathy and act fairly. This servant leadership approach is essential.”
The Acting President also reminded men of their duty to be allies and partners in building a gender-inclusive society. He stressed that ending gender-based violence requires unity across Government, civil society, traditional and religious institutions and communities.
Dr Chiwenga underscored that gender equality is not a women’s issue alone, but a national imperative, urging men and boys to join the cause.
“You are all aware that, when you empower a woman, you do not simply uplift an individual. You transform families, strengthen communities and accelerate the progress of nations,” he said.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma lauded Zimbabwe for significant progress in promoting women to leadership roles, citing the Judiciary as a notable example of enhanced gender representation in decision-making.
Former Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female Head of State, urged young women to embrace technology and artificial intelligence as tools to secure their rightful place in leadership in today’s global landscape.
Meanwhile, the Acting President last night met a delegation from AWLN to discuss issues related to women’s emancipation and empowerment across the continent.
The delegation, comprising influential women leaders and advocates from various African nations, commended the Zimbabwean Government for its progressive stance on gender equality and efforts to promote women’s rights.
The meeting provided a platform for exchanging ideas on enhancing women’s participation in political, social and economic spheres.
The AWLN delegation also praised Harare’s initiatives aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They acknowledged President Mnangagwa’s leadership and the Government’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation in the region.
Peace in the eastern DRC, they added, is vital not only for the country itself but for the entire African continent.
