By Aldridge Dzvene
Zimbabwe’s commitment to nurturing human capital and expanding access to higher education took centre stage as President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed distinguished guests at the ED-UNZA Fundraising Dinner 2026 held at the Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles on 12 March 2026.
The dinner brought together government officials, business leaders, philanthropists and scholars in a show of solidarity toward supporting talented but financially disadvantaged students. The initiative, founded by President Mnangagwa as an alumnus of the University of Zambia, reflects the enduring educational and historical ties between Zimbabwe and Zambia, two nations bound by shared history, culture and aspirations for development.
In his address, President Mnangagwa emphasised that the scholarship programme is built on a simple but profound principle, talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Across communities in Zimbabwe and Zambia, many gifted young people possess the intellectual capacity to transform societies, yet financial barriers often prevent them from accessing higher education.
The ED UNZA Scholarship Trust was therefore established to close this gap by creating opportunities for promising students to pursue university education and develop skills that can contribute to national development. The President highlighted that empowering young people through education is one of the most sustainable ways to build resilient economies and innovative societies.
Encouragingly, the programme has already begun to produce results. Ten students have successfully graduated under the scholarship scheme, while two more are expected to complete their studies by the end of the year. Many of the beneficiaries are studying in critical fields such as medicine, science and technology, areas that are essential for advancing innovation, strengthening healthcare systems and supporting industrial growth.
The initiative is also gradually expanding its scope to include academic exchange programmes, which will strengthen cooperation between institutions and deepen intellectual collaboration between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Such educational partnerships are expected to foster research development, knowledge transfer and regional integration within the Southern African region.
President Mnangagwa further noted that education which produces home grown solutions remains the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda. By investing in appropriate skills development and innovation driven education, the country is laying a strong foundation for modernisation, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth.
The fundraising dinner itself demonstrated the spirit of collectivism and shared responsibility that the President emphasised in his speech. Business leaders and philanthropists pledged support to ensure the sustainability of the scholarship fund, recognising that investing in young people is a strategic investment in the future.
A notable highlight of the evening was the auction of a vehicle that was previously used by President Mnangagwa. The auction attracted strong interest from attendees, with prominent businessman and Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who is also a member of the ZANU PF Central Committee, placing the highest bid for the historic vehicle. His contribution significantly boosted the fundraising efforts and symbolised the private sector’s growing role in supporting educational empowerment initiatives.
Through the ED UNZA Scholarship programme, Zimbabwe continues to demonstrate that education remains a powerful instrument for social mobility and national transformation. The initiative not only opens doors for academically gifted students but also strengthens the intellectual foundation required to drive innovation and sustainable development across the region.
As President Mnangagwa reminded the gathering, the future prosperity of Zimbabwe and Africa depends largely on the ability to unlock the full potential of its young people. With continued support from government, the private sector and development partners, initiatives such as the ED UNZA Scholarship Trust are poised to shape a new generation of skilled professionals, innovators and leaders.
In the spirit of unity and shared progress, the message emerging from the dinner was clear, when nations invest in the education and empowerment of their youth, they invest in a future defined by innovation, hard work and inclusive development, where no one and no place is left behind.
