Zimbabwe’s Tourism Industry Commits to Bringing Winning Student Innovations to Life
Zimbabwe’s Tourism Industry Commits to Bringing Winning Student Innovations to Life
Zimbabwe’s Tourism Industry Commits to Bringing Winning Student Innovations to Life
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 22 October 2026 – Two student innovations presented at the inaugural Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe are set to move beyond the classroom, following a commitment from senior hospitality and tourism industry leaders to support their development into real-world solutions.
The winning teams from Masvingo Polytechnic College and the University of Zimbabwe impressed industry representatives with their ideas for the future of Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Emmah Kativu, President of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, and Christopher Sithole, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, committed to working with the students and industry partners to help bring both ideas to life.
This commitment reflects the ambition behind the Future Leaders Platform: connecting young talent directly with the people and organisations capable of turning their ideas into opportunities, businesses and jobs.
“Young people don’t just need a platform to share their ideas. They need an industry that listens, believes in their potential and helps them take the next step,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform. “Seeing industry leaders commit to bringing these ideas to life is exactly what we want to achieve. This is where education, industry and opportunity truly come together.”
Creating Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Hosted by the University of Zimbabwe from 19–21 October, the inaugural programme brought together students from universities, polytechnics and vocational training centres, alongside industry leaders, educators and government representatives.
The programme also introduced Zimbabwe’s first Craft & Culture Challenge, celebrating local culinary heritage and demonstrating how traditional skills and culture can inspire entrepreneurship and new tourism experiences. Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre emerged as the winner.
A further milestone was the establishment of the School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe, connecting 15 educational institutions to strengthen collaboration with industry, address skills gaps and improve pathways from education into employment.
“The Ministry is grateful for the opportunity to engage with academia, industry leaders and Future Leaders Challenge partners,” said Emias Kurauwone Nhau, Director at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training. “The platform gave students, school directors and guiding teachers valuable insight into how gaps in training curricula can be addressed.”
For the Future Leaders Platform, the Zimbabwe edition marks the beginning of continued collaboration between education, industry and government, ensuring that young people’s talent and ideas contribute to the country’s future economic development.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development ecosystem connecting industry, education, government and future talent. Through initiatives including the Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance, it strengthens skills development, employability, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe – Strategic Board
The Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by a Strategic Board of industry and education leaders committed to strengthening collaboration, developing future talent and creating opportunities across Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Kumbi Chiweshe – Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Emmah Kativu – President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi – Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Ross Kennedy – Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Prof. Attwell Mamvuto – Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole – CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Hubert Ummels – Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Nico Vivier – Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Luckson Zambuko – Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Media Contact & Enquiries
Marvy Rieder
Director, Future Leaders Platform
marvy@gamechangers.group
Media Images
Download selected post-event photographs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LWxl6-GKAKgRcFyZvk3pcW_fRCQVux1e
Photo credit: Dean Hauser / Future Leaders Platform
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 22 October 2026 – Two student innovations presented at the inaugural Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe are set to move beyond the classroom, following a commitment from senior hospitality and tourism industry leaders to support their development into real-world solutions.
The winning teams from Masvingo Polytechnic College and the University of Zimbabwe impressed industry representatives with their ideas for the future of Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Emmah Kativu, President of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, and Christopher Sithole, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, committed to working with the students and industry partners to help bring both ideas to life.
This commitment reflects the ambition behind the Future Leaders Platform: connecting young talent directly with the people and organisations capable of turning their ideas into opportunities, businesses and jobs.
“Young people don’t just need a platform to share their ideas. They need an industry that listens, believes in their potential and helps them take the next step,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform. “Seeing industry leaders commit to bringing these ideas to life is exactly what we want to achieve. This is where education, industry and opportunity truly come together.”
Creating Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Hosted by the University of Zimbabwe from 19–21 October, the inaugural programme brought together students from universities, polytechnics and vocational training centres, alongside industry leaders, educators and government representatives.
The programme also introduced Zimbabwe’s first Craft & Culture Challenge, celebrating local culinary heritage and demonstrating how traditional skills and culture can inspire entrepreneurship and new tourism experiences. Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre emerged as the winner.
A further milestone was the establishment of the School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe, connecting 15 educational institutions to strengthen collaboration with industry, address skills gaps and improve pathways from education into employment.
“The Ministry is grateful for the opportunity to engage with academia, industry leaders and Future Leaders Challenge partners,” said Emias Kurauwone Nhau, Director at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training. “The platform gave students, school directors and guiding teachers valuable insight into how gaps in training curricula can be addressed.”
For the Future Leaders Platform, the Zimbabwe edition marks the beginning of continued collaboration between education, industry and government, ensuring that young people’s talent and ideas contribute to the country’s future economic development.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development ecosystem connecting industry, education, government and future talent. Through initiatives including the Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance, it strengthens skills development, employability, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe – Strategic Board
The Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by a Strategic Board of industry and education leaders committed to strengthening collaboration, developing future talent and creating opportunities across Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Kumbi Chiweshe – Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Emmah Kativu – President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi – Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Ross Kennedy – Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Prof. Attwell Mamvuto – Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole – CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Hubert Ummels – Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Nico Vivier – Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Luckson Zambuko – Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Media Contact & Enquiries
Marvy Rieder
Director, Future Leaders Platform
marvy@gamechangers.group
Media Images
Download selected post-event photographs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LWxl6-GKAKgRcFyZvk3pcW_fRCQVux1e
Photo credit: Dean Hauser / Future Leaders Platform
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 22 October 2026 – Two student innovations presented at the inaugural Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe are set to move beyond the classroom, following a commitment from senior hospitality and tourism industry leaders to support their development into real-world solutions.
The winning teams from Masvingo Polytechnic College and the University of Zimbabwe impressed industry representatives with their ideas for the future of Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Emmah Kativu, President of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, and Christopher Sithole, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, committed to working with the students and industry partners to help bring both ideas to life.
This commitment reflects the ambition behind the Future Leaders Platform: connecting young talent directly with the people and organisations capable of turning their ideas into opportunities, businesses and jobs.
“Young people don’t just need a platform to share their ideas. They need an industry that listens, believes in their potential and helps them take the next step,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform. “Seeing industry leaders commit to bringing these ideas to life is exactly what we want to achieve. This is where education, industry and opportunity truly come together.”
Creating Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Hosted by the University of Zimbabwe from 19–21 October, the inaugural programme brought together students from universities, polytechnics and vocational training centres, alongside industry leaders, educators and government representatives.
The programme also introduced Zimbabwe’s first Craft & Culture Challenge, celebrating local culinary heritage and demonstrating how traditional skills and culture can inspire entrepreneurship and new tourism experiences. Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre emerged as the winner.
A further milestone was the establishment of the School Directors Alliance Zimbabwe, connecting 15 educational institutions to strengthen collaboration with industry, address skills gaps and improve pathways from education into employment.
“The Ministry is grateful for the opportunity to engage with academia, industry leaders and Future Leaders Challenge partners,” said Emias Kurauwone Nhau, Director at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training. “The platform gave students, school directors and guiding teachers valuable insight into how gaps in training curricula can be addressed.”
For the Future Leaders Platform, the Zimbabwe edition marks the beginning of continued collaboration between education, industry and government, ensuring that young people’s talent and ideas contribute to the country’s future economic development.
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development ecosystem connecting industry, education, government and future talent. Through initiatives including the Future Leaders Challenge, Craft & Culture Challenge and School Directors Alliance, it strengthens skills development, employability, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe – Strategic Board
The Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe is supported by a Strategic Board of industry and education leaders committed to strengthening collaboration, developing future talent and creating opportunities across Zimbabwe’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Kumbi Chiweshe – Chairman, Zimbabwe Tour Operators Association
Emmah Kativu – President, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
Ivan Kasozi – Group Operations Executive, Cresta Hotels
Ross Kennedy – Director, Africa Albida Tourism
Prof. Attwell Mamvuto – Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration, University of Zimbabwe
Christopher Sithole – CEO, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe
Hubert Ummels – Founder, GameChangers and Future Leaders Platform
Nico Vivier – Regional Director of Operations and Development, Minor Hotels Africa
Luckson Zambuko – Country Manager, Future Leaders Platform Zimbabwe
Media Contact & Enquiries
Marvy Rieder
Director, Future Leaders Platform
marvy@gamechangers.group
Media Images
Download selected post-event photographs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LWxl6-GKAKgRcFyZvk3pcW_fRCQVux1e
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.
