Former opposition leader and presidential hopeful, Nelson Chamisa, has unveiled an ambitious data deiven plan to revolutionise citizens’ affairs in Zimbabwe.
Posting on his Facebook Account, Chamisa emphasised the need for a data-driven approach to guide individual development from birth, ensuring seamless integration into the workforce.
” Our New Citizens government will introduce a comprehensive citizens’ affairs plan based on data, evidence, figures, and statistical models,” Chamisa stated. “This plan will be launched from Day one of the new administration.”
Citing the recent University of Zimbabwe 43rd graduation ceremony, where 6,778 students graduated, including 200 medical doctors and 256 lawyers, Chamisa highlighted the disconnect between education and employment opportunities.
“We produce graduates, but we have no viable market absorption plan to cater for the trained professionals we spew out year in and out,” he lamented. “This lack of opportunity and strategic planning means that our nation’s investment in education often fails to yield meaningful returns.”
Chamisa’s proposed plan assigns a national identity to each citizen at birth, tracking their development through a rigorous system integrating social security, citizen number, and voter registration identification.
This data-driven approach aims to ensure graduates enter a job market prepared to receive them.
“Through this level of monitoring and relationship with other data across the economic and social sectors, there is an opportunity to ensure when each student graduates with a qualification, the job market is ready to receive them,” Chamisa explained.
Key aspects of the plan include:
- National identity assignment at birth
- Data-driven tracking of citizen development
- Integration with economic and social sectors
- Job market preparation for graduates
Chamisa emphasised that this comprehensive plan would address the brain drain and human capital hemorrhage Zimbabwe faces, ensuring educational achievements translate into tangible growth and prosperity.
“Only by implementing a radical, elaborate, thoughtful, and inclusive citizens’ affairs plan can educational achievements be transformed into tangible growth and prosperity for all,” he concluded.
Reaction
The proposal has garnered mixed reactions from experts and citizens.
“This is a welcome development, addressing the long-standing issue of graduate unemployment,” said Dr. Kanyenze, an economist.
Others expressed skepticism, citing implementation challenges and concerns about data privacy.
The opposition leader’s plan has sparked renewed debate on Zimbabwe’s education and employment landscape.