The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
DRUG and substance abuse is a threat to human resources as more youths, who could be contributing to national development, are falling to the vice, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.
Speaking at the Institute of Human Resources Management Zimbabwe’s (IHRMZ) 2021 Human Resources Excellence Awards in Harare on Friday, Prof Mavima implored local companies to help the Government in its fight against drug and substance abuse as part of their social corporate responsibility programmes.
“The Government traditionally had three major vulnerable groups. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), the elderly and People Living with Disabilities,” he said.
“Of late another group has emerged. These are the hopeless youths who have fallen into the vice of drug and substance abuse.
“These too we must think hard about. The Government cannot help these people alone.
“You, in the corporate world, must come forward in a big way and save the situation.”
Prof Mavima commended IHRMZ for aligning its vision with Government as well as coming up with ways of coping with the Covid-19.
“I was looking at your work, your orientation and your values as the Institute of Human Resources Management Zimbabwe and I realised that you share so much in common with the values and orientation adopted by the Government of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Your methods, which include virtual delivery, show that you are leveraging technology.
“Suffice to say Covid-19 played an important role in giving us a brutal wake-up call to what the future of work will be like in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0.”
Prof Mavima said the Government is now shifting from a welfare paradigm to a developmental approach in executing its social responsibility.
The new approach aims to empower vulnerable groups by building their capacity to be productive citizens who can look after themselves, and contribute to national development.
Varun Beverages, Stanbic, Dandemutande, FC Platinum Holdings and Delta Beverages are some of the companies that scooped awards at the ceremony.
On individual accolades, Mr Takunda Tatsa from Dandemutande scooped the HR Practitioner of the year Award while Mr Never Ncube, also from Dandemutande, scooped the HR Focused CEO of the year Award. Mr Wellington Nhliziyana from Zinara scooped the Young Talent of the Year Award.
