Staff Writer 
A NEW organisation, the Institute of Social Development Practices (ISDP), is set to officially launch in October this year with a mandate to empower Zimbabwean development practitioners through partnerships with government and other key stakeholders.
Founded in May this year, by Petronella Tatenda Muungani, the ISDP was established to provide structured support for Development Studies students and graduates, equipping them with critical soft skills to complement their academic qualifications.
“Our main objective is to encourage graduates in social sciences to think innovatively, create opportunities, and generate employment rather than waiting passively to be hired,” Muungani explained. “We want to cultivate graduates who are entrepreneurial, change-oriented, and able to put their qualifications into productive use.”
As part of its initiatives, the ISDP has collaborated with the Centre for Organisational Leadership Development and Fate Consultancy to design the Ascend Leadership Development Program (ALDP). The program is tailored to help graduates and professionals sharpen their skills in innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Muungani emphasized that the institute’s work also aligns with government priorities on human capital development.
“We applaud the government’s commitment to skills development, which is central to national economic growth. Our role as ISDP is to complement these efforts by ensuring that students and graduates understand that qualifications alone are not sufficient. Practical, soft skills are what transform knowledge into real success,” she noted.
The ISDP will offer a range of courses and workshops aimed at enhancing graduates’ ability to apply their skills effectively in real-world contexts.
Highlighting the importance of the launch, Skills Audit and Development Minister Paul Mavima will deliver the keynote address in October.
“We have secured high-profile speakers who will add immense value to the development dialogue,” Muungani added. “We are also engaging corporates and partners to strengthen our brand and ensure that the institute becomes a meaningful platform for transformation.”
