Online Reporter
Trish Mukwazo ,[email protected]
Vice President Kembo Mohadi has urged Zimbabweans to view retirement not as an end, but as a new beginning, encouraging them to plan effectively for this stage of life.
The VP was speaking at the Public Service Commission Retirement Conference, where he was representing President Mnangagwa.
“We also look ahead with determination, charting a bold course towards a secure and dignified future for every servant of our republic,” he said.
He said this year’s theme, “transforming insights into reality,” resonates deeply with the collective vision and national funders towards the attainment of the nation’s vision.
“Indeed, the energy in this hall is not just palpable, it is a testament to our unity of purpose, our partnership and our shared stewardship of the motherland,
“Last year at the inaugural conference, we ignited a national conversation. We declared that retirement planning is not a luxury but a must, a cornerstone of a prosperous, inclusive Zimbabwe, “said VP Mohadi.
The Vice President said ambitious goals are to empower public service tools, knowledge and systems to transition into retirement with confidence and purpose.
“We envision a nation where every civil servant could retire not in uncertainty but into opportunity,
“Today we take stock of that vision, celebrate our progress and recommend turning insights into tangible realities,” he said.
He commended the Public Service Commission (PSC) for diligently executing its constitutional mandate with commendable results.
He highlighted that Section 199 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe tasked the PSC with ensuring an efficient, professional and forward-thinking public service guided by government policy and in alignment with the national vision and attendance strategies.
“Initiatives such as these conference are therefore not isolated programs they are an extension of our collective commitment to building a public service that is responsive patriotic and future-oriented.
“In this regard the work of the public service commission is a vital step in our shared journey towards the attainment of vision 2030 which the government has solemnly pledged to deliver an upper middle-income society that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
Under the mantra, the Vice President said retirement planning is not a peripheral issue it is the heartbeat of vision 2030, “An upper middle-income society is measured not only by economic metrics but by the dignity and security of its people especially its retirees,”
“Our national development strategy 1 and NDS 1 has laid the foundation with its pillars of inclusivity human capital development and sustainable growth,
“As we prepare to launch the national development strategy number two we carry forward these principles ensuring that retirees are not just pensioners but potential farmers, consultants, artisans and community leaders. This is this is what it means to transform insights into realities,” he said.
Reflecting on last year’s conference the government spoke of a new door for retirement planning.
He highlighted that government recognised the historical scars left by high inflation which eroded the savings of many pensioners pledging to restore dignity through justice innovation and empowerment.
“The 2024 amendment to the pensions and the provident funds act changes the landmark report in this chapter marking a decisive step towards protecting pensioners, strengthening accountability and restoring confidence in our retirement systems. This legislation establishes a modern transparently robust pension system mandating inflation proof investment and stringent governance to safeguard contributions,” he said.
