LIST: Zimbabwe Appoints Board To Oversee The Setting Up Of Institute To Train Diplomats
The government has appointed a board of governors which will oversee the setting up of the Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute for training diplomats on international relations.
The idea of setting up the Zimbabwe Foreign Services Institute (ZFSI) was first raised in 1992. A study was undertaken to constitute the framework for establishing the institution to train diplomats on executing their mandate.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava who spoke during the installation of the board which has eight members, said the project was in limbo since 1992 until a proclamation by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020.
Josephine Mugiyo, ZBC News’ Diplomatic Correspondent quotes the minister as saying:
The consultant recommended that the institute’s initial focus was to build on the existing capacity in the ministry’s training department.
The training department was therefore subsequently tasked to train new Foreign Service entrants to sound administration, policy formulation, diplomatic skills and international relations.
Ambassador Margaret Muchada has been appointed the board chairperson of the Zimbabwe Foreign Services Institute (ZFSI).
Others appointed to the board are:
i). Mrs Barbara Murasiranwa from the tourism sector,
ii) Mr Similo Nkala from Zimtrade,
iii). Dr Major Anyway Mutambudzi from the Office of the President and Cabinet and
iv). Ms Duduzile Shinya from Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA),
v). Dr Andrew Mtetwa,
vi). Mr Stewart Nyakotyo and
vii). Ambassador Kelebert Nkomani.
Ambassador Shava emphasised that the country requires skilled, knowledgeable and visionary diplomats to tap into new opportunities for trade, commerce and development.
The ZFSI board of governors is now expected to appoint a director-general of the institute and come up with regulations to govern the activities of the institute, among other duties.