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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

MOST exhibitions at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) are a reflection of milestone achievements by the country in its socio-economic development agenda underpinned by the Heritage Based Education 5.0 model, senior Government officials have said.

Speaking after separately touring exhibition stands yesterday, Vice-Presidents, Dr Costantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi concurred that the level of innovation being exhibited by Zimbabweans at the ZITF, is top-notch and putting the country on the right pedestal towards earlier attainment of Vision 20230.

VP Mohadi visited selected stands in the morning before winding up the tour at the cattle pens while Dr Chiwenga who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga toured in the afternoon.

Some of the stands they visited included Belarus, the European Union, Namibia, China, Kenya, the Zanu-PF pavilion and Amai’s kitchen (Hot Plate) among others.

The two Vice-Presidents were impressed by exhibitions of various innovations by young people and tertiary institutions. They said the innovations dovetail with the Second Republic’s development agenda which hinges on the Education 5.0 model.

Education 5.0 is a five-mission model of teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation established to move the nation forward towards an innovation-led and knowledge-driven economy.

“Exhibitions by young Zimbabweans and tertiary institutions are amazing. They have come up with innovations which confirm that we have moved away from the education we used to have where we were taught to be very clean and not to produce anything,” said VP Mohadi.

“Our young people here are producing goods that can go a long way in addressing some of the challenges that we have as a country.”

VP Mohadi said the innovations exhibited by young innovators ought to be replicated across the country to drive the country towards an upper-middle-income society.

Some of the innovations were in leather, clothing, branding and manufacturing.

“The exhibitions and innovations are better than what was exhibited last year,” he said.

VP Mohadi said exhibitions by other countries in the Sadc region were a reflection of shared ideas and expertise.

“What we should do now is to unpack whatever we get from countries in Europe, Asia and America and see how we can do our own using our Education 5.0 as we have access to technology and skills through the coming in of big economies like China,” he said.

VP Mohadi said the trade fair is a platform to enhance inter-trade and skills exchange especially for youth.

The theme for the 64th edition of the ZITF is: “Innovation: The catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade”. 

Dr Chiwenga said the exhibitions  were in line with the fair’s theme and agenda of the Second Republic.

He commended young innovators and tertiary institutions for their innovations which included chemicals for controlling ticks, smart bins, disaster management machines and security systems equipment created by learners.

“The stands speak to the theme and aspirations of Vision 2030. All the stands that I visited have captured this year’s ZITF theme very well. You see a lot of innovation and innovative material on display,” said VP Chiwenga.

“We have seen young people producing things like chemicals for controlling ticks that have been giving us challenges and if they are used we would say goodbye to January disease.”

Dr Chiwenga said there was a lot of innovation coming through the youth.

“We are in the right direction and with this thrust we are seeing here, we will get to Vision 2030 much earlier than we had anticipated.”