Good morning, ladies and gentlemen
Students, faculty, and staff, guests, parents, family, friends, and well-wishers
My name is Alundrah Sibanda, and it’s an honour to be delivering these remarks on behalf of our team. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the most important group in the room this morning, the graduating class of the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Now I must let you in on an open secret: you are graduating at an exciting time in the field of human resources. Times are evolving, with the advent of artificial intelligence and other technological advancements, the workforce is asking you, the new Human Resources practitioners, important questions like,
- How do I pivot my career to ensure that I stay relevant in the industry? I don’t want to be left behind
- Where can I find new employment opportunities?
- In this competitive job market, should I be preparing a CV or a portfolio, or both, so that the hiring manager chooses me?
And let me tell you, behind these questions are people seeking empathy; they want to hear that you are willing to support their goals. And, that is who we expect you to be: Human Resources practitioners who see members of the workforce as more than their staff and employee numbers but as people with career goals, aspirations, and demanding personal lives that require your understanding, consideration, and compassion.
May you always balance the organisations you will work for’s need for technical skills with a deep respect for the humanity of those around you.
It’s no secret that you are not walking into a perfect job market. It is filled with excitement and anxiety; we see this every day. Over the last decade, we have learnt that the key to success in this field starts with remembering you are the organization’s heartbeat, so LEAD WITH EMPATHY.
All around this room, I see the future of work in Zimbabwe. You chose one of the best fields – Human Resources, and the best institution – the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe. Now, go out there and create work environments where both businesses and people can thrive.
Show the world what true excellence looks like!
Thank you!
– Alundrah Sibanda, Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe graduation remarks, 14 March 2026
