Future Leaders Platform to Launch in Zimbabwe with 3-Day Event Aimed at Boosting Hospitality Careers
By Desire Tshuma
HARARE — A new initiative aimed at empowering young Zimbabweans and strengthening the country’s hospitality and tourism workforce will officially launch in October, with a 3-day event at the University of Zimbabwe.
The Future Leaders platform, founded by Hubert Ummels, announced the launch during a briefing in Harare. The platform operates in 32 countries and Zimbabwe will host its official launch this year, following a pilot last year.
“We are an initiative to empower, elevate, and educate stakeholders to achieve their full potential, and to enable an ecosystem that’s going to support workforce development in Zimbabwe,” Ummels said.
“Together with the board for our platform in Zimbabwe, it’s a pleasure to launch this initiative.”
The event will run from October 19 to 21 at the University of Zimbabwe, which is the host partner.
Day 1 will feature the Crafts and Culture Challenge. Vocational students from hospitality schools will explore Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage and history. Their task is to create a 2-course lunch they believe represents the country’s food and drinks culture.
“The idea is to create an initiative that’s going to get more heritage and craftsmanship support and inspiration to young people,” Ummels said. “To get more people to take on the artisan side of it, and to create a sense of alignment and proudness within the country, to showcase more of that heritage that the country has to use in the tourism and hospitality industry.”
On Day 2, the platform will host a conference bringing together school directors from hospitality institutions, industry leaders, and HR professionals. Discussions will focus on aligning education with employment to create a more seamless graduate-to-employment pathway.
The day will also include a job market fair. International and national employers will present opportunities to young people. Participants will be “best-of-class” talents top students from hospitality and tourism schools across Zimbabwe who are graduating soon.
Day 3 will see these selected talents present solutions to a strategic industry challenge that has already been shared with them. The top 3 winners will earn the chance to represent Zimbabwe at the Global Future Leaders Platform finals in Dubai.
Ummels said the goal is to give young people better tools and exposure to secure employment both locally and internationally.
The Future Leaders board in Zimbabwe said the initiative is expected to create more sustainable employment opportunities in hospitality and tourism, key sectors for Zimbabwe’s economy.
With the launch set for October, organisers say the platform will focus on building skills, celebrating culture, and connecting graduates directly to jobs.
