Harare, —As Zimbabwe marked the 10th anniversary of Good Deeds Day on Friday, the commemorations went beyond reflection to a renewed commitment to attain upper middle income status by 2030.
Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Jenniffer Mhlanga captured the spirit of the moment as she highlighted the way grassroots initiatives, often driven by ordinary citizens, are aligning with national development priorities.
“Good deeds are not isolated acts of kindness; they are the building blocks of a nation’s future. Vision 2030 will not be achieved by policy alone, but by the everyday actions of citizens committed to uplifting one another,” she said.
The message resonated strongly as communities, government representatives, and development partners gathered to celebrate two decades of the global Good Deeds movement and a decade of its impact in Zimbabwe.
Good Deeds Day was launched in 2007 by Israeli businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, organized through the nonprofit Ruach Tova (part of The Ted Arison Family Foundation).
It began as a national initiative in Israel to encourage individuals to perform acts of kindness, and has since grown into a global annual movement, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide.
Mhlanga said from youth-led environmental conservation projects to community support programs for vulnerable groups, the initiatives directly contribute to pillars of Vision 2030, including social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.
“Through targeted interventions, the government continues to empower women, who constitute over half of Zimbabwe’s population, recognizing their critical role in driving economic growth and social transformation,” she said.
She added that the Ministry is playing its part to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as well as drug and substance abuse, reflecting a holistic approach to development.
“Community dialogues on family cohesion, awareness campaigns, and collaborative programs with partners are fostering stronger, more resilient societies. Importantly, the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is creating pathways for sustainable livelihoods.
“By supporting entrepreneurship and cooperative development, Zimbabwe is laying a solid foundation for inclusive economic growth, a key target under Vision 2030. When communities take ownership of development through simple acts of service, they turn national vision into lived reality. This perspective underscores the importance of collective responsibility in achieving long-term goals,” Mhlanga said.
New Ziana
