MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO – Precious Murenanyika, a renowned Leadership and Strategy Consultant told participants at the ongoing, Leadership and Team Building Retreat in Masvingo that it is important that one leads self before embarking on a journey to lead others.
“Before you lead others, you must first learn to lead yourself,” she said. “This retreat is not just a workshop, it’s a transformational journey.”
Discussions also delved into unconscious bias in the workplace, with a focus on how such biases affect women in ascending to senior positions.
“Many women are capable but are often overlooked due to deep-rooted societal and structural biases,” Murenanyika explained. “This platform is designed to challenge those barriers and empower women to rise.”
Ruvarashe Mugiya-Muchena, Director for Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Awareness in the Ministry, encouraged participants to think beyond their roles and view their contribution as service to all Zimbabweans, in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra: “Leaving no one and no place behind.”
“This retreat is not just about the individual growth of leaders,” said Mugiya-Muchena. “It is about equipping them to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive Zimbabwe.”
Another important topic raised was financial awareness, presented by Advocate and Human Capital trainer Arthur Marara, warning against falling into debt traps due to poor financial decisions.
“Many people are borrowing beyond their means,” said Marara. “This retreat teaches financial literacy to help our leaders make sound decisions both in their personal and professional lives.”
In a bold step towards strengthening leadership, promoting inclusivity, and empowering the nation through effective governance, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is hosting the first edition of a three-day Senior Management Leadership and Team Building Retreat from July 9 to 11 at Clevers Resort in Masvingo.
The retreat, which draws together senior management from various government departments, parastatals and public institutions, aims to foster visionary leadership, encourage strategic planning, and equip leaders with the necessary tools to drive the nation towards Vision 2030.
The retreat brought together institutions such as the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), National Building Society, Public Service Commission, Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIPA), and the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF).
These organizations are participating in engaging discussions and training sessions on emotional intelligence, business strategy, adaptive leadership, gender inclusivity, mental health, and financial wellness.
The workshop is also tackling mental health, with concerns raised over rising cases of employee stress, depression and suicide in the public sector.
Discussions emphasizing the need for mental health awareness in leadership, as some workers fail to reach their full potential due to unaddressed psychological challenges.
With the dawn of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the constant evolution of the modern workplace, the concept of adaptive leadership also featured prominently, Marara encouraged leaders to embrace change rather than fear it.
“We are not changing what we do,” Marara noted, “but how we do it, adaptation is key to survival and success in a digital age.”
This retreat has demonstrated that leadership is not confined to the office, participants are being encouraged to lead effectively at home, in communities, and across all spheres of influence.
As Zimbabwe moves towards achieving its development goals, events like this are vital in nurturing visionary, emotionally intelligent, and inclusive leaders who are prepared to take the country forward.
Indeed, the Ministry has set a strong foundation for building a responsive, effective and people-centered public service, not just for today but for the Zimbabwe of tomorrow.
