The Zimbabwe Business Network (ZBN) will be hosting the Honourable Minister of Education, Sports and Culture Senator David Coltart in London on the 8th of August, 2012. This key networking event themed, “What role can the Diaspora play in improving the quality of education in Zimbabwe”. This a major networking event and is perhaps, a rare opportunity for the Zimbabwean Community to engage with a high profile cabinet minister and one of the key policy decision makers in the Transitional government (GNU). The event will be held between 6pm and 9.30pm at the Royal Overseas League, Overseas House, Park Place, St James Street, Mayfair, London, SW1A 1LR. Admission for this event is £10 which includes snacks and refreshments.

Senator David Coltart, an elected Senator in the inclusive government of national unity (GNU), has been a human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe since his return to the country in 1983. He was first elected to represent the Bulawayo South House of Assembly constituency in June 2000, and was re-elected in March 2005. In March 2008, he was elected as a Senator to represent the Khumalo Senatorial constituency in Bulawayo. Senator and was sworn in as Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in February 2009.

Since 2000, Zimbabwe experienced the worst mass exodus of its most highly qualified, experienced and educated work force due to the deterioration of the economy and upsurge in political violence leading to the 2002 Presidential Elections. The 2009 elections ushered in the GNU which has been the key turning point in the revival of Zimbabwe’s economy, bartered by the effects of economic sanctions as well political and fiscal profligacy. Zimbabwe’s economic woes have since steadily improved mainly due to reforms ushering in political tolerance, the discovery of huge mineral deposits and the recent EU decision to lift curbs on EU aid directly to the Zimbabwe government. In July last month, Senator David Coltart successfully launched the new CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) project in Guruve which has received US$19 million from the British Government.

Senator David Coltart is spearheading efforts to resuscitate Zimbabwe’s educational fabric which was adversely affected and has left a generation crippled due to lack of investment in quality education to match advances in global technology and prudent business processes. The networking event is an opportunity for innovative and progressive Zimbabweans to engage in business initiatives and linkages as an economic empowerment imperative driven by optimizing on the strength and opportunities of being in the Diaspora. It is an opportunity to engage in dialogue on effective strategies and areas to leverage as well as synergise on the emerging business opportunities. Take this opportunity to fast trek and lobby for business friendly laws that will facilitate economic empowerment of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. The education sector is one such market with potential of business growth linked the recent policy decision to expand an integrated ICT technology thrust and investment opportunities emerging from investment fibre optic internet technology.