Zavazava, a director at ITU, was a moderator at the just-ended high-profile information communication technology (ICT) ministerial roundtable in Hiroshima, Japan, where Zimbabwe was represented by ICT deputy minister Win Mlambo, among others.
The meeting deliberated on global issues affecting nations and was attended by two deputy prime ministers, 15 ministers and captains of industry from across the world, who exchanged views and sought solutions on how the ICT sector could develop mankind.
Zavazava conducted business of the day with distinction and guided proceedings with expertise, while also articulating issues under his purview with the aplomb of a specialist, earning immense respect from the over 500 delegates who attended the symposium.
But Zavazava, who is virtually unknown in Zimbabwe, said his journey started from his modest Masvingo home, taking him to the glitzy avenues of Switzerland, where he directs operations in the development sector of ITU — an organisation established in 1865, almost a century before the United Nations was born.
“It has been a long road, my brother,” Zavazava told NewsDay on the sidelines of the ITU meeting.
His division has several sections headed by senior heads. These are Projects-ITU Indicators, capacity building institutional and human and emergency telecommunications, climate change adaptation and mitigation, e-waste management, concentrated assistance to 48 least developed countries and special needs and strategies for very poor countries.
“It is both challenging and exciting, as we are dealing with diversity — from highly advanced countries to those developing and the least developed small islands,” he said.
“Each of them is unique in terms of their level of development, vulnerability to external economic shocks and natural disasters. What also excites me is the richness of cultures that I deal with. It’s just humbling. The job is on its own a university without walls, as each experience teaches you to learn, appreciate and adapt.”
The job entails supporting countries across the globe with ICT needs to develop infrastructure, creating an enabling environment and legal framework, training and upgrading skills of staff in government institutions to adapt to emerging new technologies.
Zavazava holds a PhD in Multilateral Trade, a Master of Laws in Telecommunications and Information Technology, Masters in International Relations, Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Diplomas in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering.
The qualifications were acquired over a period of three decades from various institutions across the globe.
Before assuming his present position in 2010, Zavazava held numerous senior positions within ITU.
These include a nine-year stint as head of division for least developed countries, small island developing states, emergency telecommunications, e-waste management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Between 2003 and 2006, he was head of the business development division. Prior to that, the IT expert was a diplomat and served in Switzerland and Japan as a negotiator in various United Nations agencies in Geneva.
From 2002 to 2015, Zavazava served on and chaired ITU committees, which include Procurement Selection Panel, Appointment and Promotion Board, Joint Advisory Board and Web Editorial Board.
In recognition of his contribution to the world body, Zavazava received a top ITU Performance Award for Excellence in 2009.
Zimbabwean delegates to the ITU meeting said Zavazava’s meteoric rise was testimony of the country’s success story in churning out academics of world-class standards.
They said Zavazava remained a true ambassador for the country
- NewsDay Zimbabwe