Future Leaders Platform Returns to Zimbabwe with Expanded Hospitality and Tourism Workforce Programme
Future Leaders Platform Returns to Zimbabwe with Expanded Hospitality and Tourism Workforce Programme
Future Leaders Platform Returns to Zimbabwe with Expanded Hospitality and Tourism Workforce Programme
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 12.10.2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will return to Zimbabwe this October with an expanded three-day programme.
Taking place at the University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub in Harare from 19 to 21 October 2026, the three-day programme will bring industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent together to strengthen connections between education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The 2026 edition will see two of the Future Leaders Platform’s flagship initiatives, the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, return to Zimbabwe. They will be joined by the Craft & Culture Challenge, which will take place in the country for the first time. Together, the three initiatives will create direct opportunities for industry engagement, professional development and recruitment.
Building on the programme held in 2025, the 2026 edition expands the platform’s work in Zimbabwe and strengthens a wider workforce-development ecosystem designed to create opportunities that continue beyond the three-day event.
Building Zimbabwe’s Future Workforce
Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism industry is entering a new phase of growth, creating a need for a stronger, future-ready talent pipeline and closer alignment between education, industry and government.
The Future Leaders Platform brings these stakeholders together to exchange perspectives, co-create solutions and help build a human capital strategy that is locally rooted and globally competitive.
“The Future Leaders Platform brings government, industry, academia and Gen Z together to shape a human capital strategy that works - locally rooted, globally connected and built for the future,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe
The Future Leaders Challenge is an immersive leadership and employability programme connecting hospitality and tourism students with real-world industry issues and senior leaders.
Participating teams will undertake a nine-week preparation journey before presenting their ideas during the live event in Harare.
This year, students will explore what Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector should look like in five years and what education, industry, government and young professionals can do to help make that future a reality.
The Challenge will strengthen students’ skills in research, teamwork, communication, leadership, presentation and problem-solving while giving industry leaders insight into the perspectives and ambitions of the next generation.
The programme will also include a Student Recruitment Fair, connecting final-year students directly with employers and opportunities for internships, placements and employment in Zimbabwe and internationally.
The semi-finals will take place on 21 October. Three finalist teams will then present their ideas to the plenary audience, and the winner will be announced at 3pm.
The three finalist teams will be invited to represent Zimbabwe at the Global Future Leaders Platform Finals in Dubai.
Craft & Culture Challenge Zimbabwe
The Craft & Culture Challenge brings vocational talent together with educators, chefs and industry leaders to explore and innovate Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism heritage.
Participating students will examine how local ingredients, culinary traditions, craftsmanship and cultural knowledge can contribute to authentic visitor experiences and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a tourism destination.
Students will prepare and present their culinary interpretations on 19 October. The programme will also include a dialogue between chefs and school directors focused on elevating culinary education, followed by student presentations and an awards ceremony.
The Challenge aims to elevate vocational roles, strengthen cultural identity and demonstrate how culinary and craft skills can create meaningful career and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Connecting Education With Industry
The School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe meeting will take place on 20 October, building on last year’s discussions. The School Directors Alliance is a think tank of school directors focused on aligning education with the needs of industry and other stakeholders.
Education leaders, employers and government representatives will discuss graduate readiness, workplace exposure, internships, curriculum relevance and changing workforce requirements.
The wider programme will also include the Discover Your Path student empowerment programme, workshops, an industry conference and a forum involving schools, government and industry leaders.
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub will provide the setting for the three-day programme, bringing education, industry, government and future talent together in one place.
The university is also represented on the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board by Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration. Its involvement supports closer alignment between higher education, talent development and the changing workforce needs of hospitality and tourism.
Zimbabwe Strategic Board
The programme is guided by the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board:
Ross Kennedy, Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Hubert Ummels, Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Luckson Zambuko, Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole, CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Emmah Kativu, President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi, Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Kumbi Chiweshe, Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Nico Vivier, Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Together, the Strategic Board members help guide the programme, contribute industry and education perspectives and support closer alignment between talent development and Zimbabwe’s workforce needs.
Supported Through Collaboration
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by organisations representing education, hospitality, tourism, workforce development and professional services.
Current partners and supporting organisations include African Youth in Tourism & Hospitality, branddrvn, Diversey, GameChangers, Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, MWR Studio, Radisson Hotel Group, Topia and the University of Zimbabwe.
Their involvement supports talent development, professional mentoring, industry engagement and stronger pathways between education and employment.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe 2026
Dates: 19–21 October 2026
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Venue: University of Zimbabwe, Innovation Hub
Initiatives: Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe
Future Leaders Challenge winner announcement: 21 October at 3pm
For Zimbabwe programme information, visit www.futureleaderschallenge.com/zimbabwe.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the platform supports talent development, vocational excellence, entrepreneurship and education-to-employment pathways.
For more information about the global platform, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
WhatsApp: +65 8165 0434
Media Images
Download the selected press photographs: Media Folder.
Photo credit: Dean Hauser / Future Leaders Platform.
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 12.10.2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will return to Zimbabwe this October with an expanded three-day programme.
Taking place at the University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub in Harare from 19 to 21 October 2026, the three-day programme will bring industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent together to strengthen connections between education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The 2026 edition will see two of the Future Leaders Platform’s flagship initiatives, the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, return to Zimbabwe. They will be joined by the Craft & Culture Challenge, which will take place in the country for the first time. Together, the three initiatives will create direct opportunities for industry engagement, professional development and recruitment.
Building on the programme held in 2025, the 2026 edition expands the platform’s work in Zimbabwe and strengthens a wider workforce-development ecosystem designed to create opportunities that continue beyond the three-day event.
Building Zimbabwe’s Future Workforce
Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism industry is entering a new phase of growth, creating a need for a stronger, future-ready talent pipeline and closer alignment between education, industry and government.
The Future Leaders Platform brings these stakeholders together to exchange perspectives, co-create solutions and help build a human capital strategy that is locally rooted and globally competitive.
“The Future Leaders Platform brings government, industry, academia and Gen Z together to shape a human capital strategy that works - locally rooted, globally connected and built for the future,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe
The Future Leaders Challenge is an immersive leadership and employability programme connecting hospitality and tourism students with real-world industry issues and senior leaders.
Participating teams will undertake a nine-week preparation journey before presenting their ideas during the live event in Harare.
This year, students will explore what Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector should look like in five years and what education, industry, government and young professionals can do to help make that future a reality.
The Challenge will strengthen students’ skills in research, teamwork, communication, leadership, presentation and problem-solving while giving industry leaders insight into the perspectives and ambitions of the next generation.
The programme will also include a Student Recruitment Fair, connecting final-year students directly with employers and opportunities for internships, placements and employment in Zimbabwe and internationally.
The semi-finals will take place on 21 October. Three finalist teams will then present their ideas to the plenary audience, and the winner will be announced at 3pm.
The three finalist teams will be invited to represent Zimbabwe at the Global Future Leaders Platform Finals in Dubai.
Craft & Culture Challenge Zimbabwe
The Craft & Culture Challenge brings vocational talent together with educators, chefs and industry leaders to explore and innovate Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism heritage.
Participating students will examine how local ingredients, culinary traditions, craftsmanship and cultural knowledge can contribute to authentic visitor experiences and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a tourism destination.
Students will prepare and present their culinary interpretations on 19 October. The programme will also include a dialogue between chefs and school directors focused on elevating culinary education, followed by student presentations and an awards ceremony.
The Challenge aims to elevate vocational roles, strengthen cultural identity and demonstrate how culinary and craft skills can create meaningful career and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Connecting Education With Industry
The School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe meeting will take place on 20 October, building on last year’s discussions. The School Directors Alliance is a think tank of school directors focused on aligning education with the needs of industry and other stakeholders.
Education leaders, employers and government representatives will discuss graduate readiness, workplace exposure, internships, curriculum relevance and changing workforce requirements.
The wider programme will also include the Discover Your Path student empowerment programme, workshops, an industry conference and a forum involving schools, government and industry leaders.
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub will provide the setting for the three-day programme, bringing education, industry, government and future talent together in one place.
The university is also represented on the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board by Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration. Its involvement supports closer alignment between higher education, talent development and the changing workforce needs of hospitality and tourism.
Zimbabwe Strategic Board
The programme is guided by the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board:
Ross Kennedy, Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Hubert Ummels, Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Luckson Zambuko, Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole, CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Emmah Kativu, President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi, Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Kumbi Chiweshe, Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Nico Vivier, Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Together, the Strategic Board members help guide the programme, contribute industry and education perspectives and support closer alignment between talent development and Zimbabwe’s workforce needs.
Supported Through Collaboration
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by organisations representing education, hospitality, tourism, workforce development and professional services.
Current partners and supporting organisations include African Youth in Tourism & Hospitality, branddrvn, Diversey, GameChangers, Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, MWR Studio, Radisson Hotel Group, Topia and the University of Zimbabwe.
Their involvement supports talent development, professional mentoring, industry engagement and stronger pathways between education and employment.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe 2026
Dates: 19–21 October 2026
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Venue: University of Zimbabwe, Innovation Hub
Initiatives: Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe
Future Leaders Challenge winner announcement: 21 October at 3pm
For Zimbabwe programme information, visit www.futureleaderschallenge.com/zimbabwe.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the platform supports talent development, vocational excellence, entrepreneurship and education-to-employment pathways.
For more information about the global platform, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
WhatsApp: +65 8165 0434
Media Images
Download the selected press photographs: Media Folder.
Photo credit: Dean Hauser / Future Leaders Platform.
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 12.10.2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will return to Zimbabwe this October with an expanded three-day programme.
Taking place at the University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub in Harare from 19 to 21 October 2026, the three-day programme will bring industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent together to strengthen connections between education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The 2026 edition will see two of the Future Leaders Platform’s flagship initiatives, the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, return to Zimbabwe. They will be joined by the Craft & Culture Challenge, which will take place in the country for the first time. Together, the three initiatives will create direct opportunities for industry engagement, professional development and recruitment.
Building on the programme held in 2025, the 2026 edition expands the platform’s work in Zimbabwe and strengthens a wider workforce-development ecosystem designed to create opportunities that continue beyond the three-day event.
Building Zimbabwe’s Future Workforce
Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism industry is entering a new phase of growth, creating a need for a stronger, future-ready talent pipeline and closer alignment between education, industry and government.
The Future Leaders Platform brings these stakeholders together to exchange perspectives, co-create solutions and help build a human capital strategy that is locally rooted and globally competitive.
“The Future Leaders Platform brings government, industry, academia and Gen Z together to shape a human capital strategy that works - locally rooted, globally connected and built for the future,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe
The Future Leaders Challenge is an immersive leadership and employability programme connecting hospitality and tourism students with real-world industry issues and senior leaders.
Participating teams will undertake a nine-week preparation journey before presenting their ideas during the live event in Harare.
This year, students will explore what Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector should look like in five years and what education, industry, government and young professionals can do to help make that future a reality.
The Challenge will strengthen students’ skills in research, teamwork, communication, leadership, presentation and problem-solving while giving industry leaders insight into the perspectives and ambitions of the next generation.
The programme will also include a Student Recruitment Fair, connecting final-year students directly with employers and opportunities for internships, placements and employment in Zimbabwe and internationally.
The semi-finals will take place on 21 October. Three finalist teams will then present their ideas to the plenary audience, and the winner will be announced at 3pm.
The three finalist teams will be invited to represent Zimbabwe at the Global Future Leaders Platform Finals in Dubai.
Craft & Culture Challenge Zimbabwe
The Craft & Culture Challenge brings vocational talent together with educators, chefs and industry leaders to explore and innovate Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism heritage.
Participating students will examine how local ingredients, culinary traditions, craftsmanship and cultural knowledge can contribute to authentic visitor experiences and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a tourism destination.
Students will prepare and present their culinary interpretations on 19 October. The programme will also include a dialogue between chefs and school directors focused on elevating culinary education, followed by student presentations and an awards ceremony.
The Challenge aims to elevate vocational roles, strengthen cultural identity and demonstrate how culinary and craft skills can create meaningful career and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Connecting Education With Industry
The School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe meeting will take place on 20 October, building on last year’s discussions. The School Directors Alliance is a think tank of school directors focused on aligning education with the needs of industry and other stakeholders.
Education leaders, employers and government representatives will discuss graduate readiness, workplace exposure, internships, curriculum relevance and changing workforce requirements.
The wider programme will also include the Discover Your Path student empowerment programme, workshops, an industry conference and a forum involving schools, government and industry leaders.
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe Innovation Hub will provide the setting for the three-day programme, bringing education, industry, government and future talent together in one place.
The university is also represented on the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board by Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration. Its involvement supports closer alignment between higher education, talent development and the changing workforce needs of hospitality and tourism.
Zimbabwe Strategic Board
The programme is guided by the Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe Strategic Board:
Ross Kennedy, Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Hubert Ummels, Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Luckson Zambuko, Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole, CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Emmah Kativu, President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi, Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Kumbi Chiweshe, Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Nico Vivier, Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Attwell Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Together, the Strategic Board members help guide the programme, contribute industry and education perspectives and support closer alignment between talent development and Zimbabwe’s workforce needs.
Supported Through Collaboration
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by organisations representing education, hospitality, tourism, workforce development and professional services.
Current partners and supporting organisations include African Youth in Tourism & Hospitality, branddrvn, Diversey, GameChangers, Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, MWR Studio, Radisson Hotel Group, Topia and the University of Zimbabwe.
Their involvement supports talent development, professional mentoring, industry engagement and stronger pathways between education and employment.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe 2026
Dates: 19–21 October 2026
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Venue: University of Zimbabwe, Innovation Hub
Initiatives: Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe
Future Leaders Challenge winner announcement: 21 October at 3pm
For Zimbabwe programme information, visit www.futureleaderschallenge.com/zimbabwe.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the platform supports talent development, vocational excellence, entrepreneurship and education-to-employment pathways.
For more information about the global platform, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
WhatsApp: +65 8165 0434
Media Images
Download the selected press photographs: Media Folder.
Photo credit: Dean Hauser / Future Leaders Platform.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
