Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship Alumni Association for Economic Development (ZPSAA) has hailed President Mnangagwa’s continued expansion of scholarship opportunities, saying investment in education is helping young Zimbabweans from disadvantaged backgrounds unlock their potential and contribute to national development.
President Mnangagwa, who turns 84 today, is being celebrated across the country on the inaugural Munhumutapa Day, which was declared an annual public holiday through Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026. The day is intended to celebrate Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial heritage and the legacy of the Mutapa Empire.
ZPSAA, which brings together beneficiaries and alumni of the Presidential Scholarship Programme, said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of educational opportunities created under the Second Republic.
ZPSAA chairperson, Mr Roncemore Mhlanga, said scholarships had become an important avenue for transforming the lives of young Zimbabweans, particularly those from humble backgrounds.
“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming individuals, families and ultimately the nation. The Presidential Scholarship Programme has opened doors for young Zimbabweans who, in many cases, would not have had access to similar opportunities,” he said.
Mr Mhlanga said beneficiaries of the programme had a responsibility to translate the knowledge and skills acquired through scholarships into tangible national development.
“The opportunity to study locally or internationally comes with a responsibility to serve. As alumni, we have a duty to use the knowledge, skills and networks we have gained to contribute towards the development of Zimbabwe and the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
ZPSAA has previously described the Presidential Scholarship Programme as an important vehicle for developing human capital, with the association also undertaking programmes aimed at engaging young people on national development issues.
Mr Mhlanga said President Mnangagwa’s birthday should therefore also be viewed against the broader contribution of education to national development.
“On this special day, we celebrate not only the President’s birthday, but also the importance of investing in the future of our young people. Every young person who receives an opportunity to acquire an education represents a potential scientist, doctor, engineer, entrepreneur, researcher or community leader,” he said.
He said the benefits of educational empowerment extended beyond individual scholarship recipients.
“When a young person from a disadvantaged background receives an opportunity to study, the impact goes beyond that individual. It can change the fortunes of an entire family and, ultimately, strengthen the human capital of our country,” said Mr Mhlanga.
The ZPSAA chairperson said the association remained committed to supporting national development initiatives and ensuring that scholarship beneficiaries remained connected to the country’s development agenda.
“ZPSAA will continue to encourage our members to give back to their communities and Zimbabwe as a whole. We believe that the best way to honour the opportunities we have received is to turn our education and expertise into solutions for our country’s challenges,” he said.
Today’s Munhumutapa Day is the first time September 15 is being observed as an annual public holiday under the new statutory instrument. Government has said the commemoration seeks to draw inspiration from the greatness of the historic Mutapa Empire and link that heritage to Zimbabwe’s contemporary development drive and Vision 2030.
For ZPSAA, the occasion presents an opportunity to emphasise that the country’s greatest resource remains its people and that empowering young Zimbabweans through education is central to building a skilled workforce capable of driving national development.
Mr Mhlanga wished President Mnangagwa a happy birthday and said the alumni association remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for Zimbabwean youths.
“On behalf of ZPSAA, we wish His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa a happy birthday. We wish him continued strength, wisdom and good health as he leads the country. We also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the education and skills acquired through the Presidential Scholarship Programme are harnessed for the benefit of Zimbabwe,” he said.
