Tinotenda Hove – ICT Minister and ZANU PF politician Tatenda Mavetera marked her 40th birthday on Monday with a celebratory social media post that drew mixed reactions, with some critics accusing senior officials of focusing on self-promotion while many Zimbabweans grapple with economic hardship.

Mavetera, who is also the Member of Parliament for Chikomba West, announced the milestone on 26 May 2026 in a lengthy message reflecting on ageing, “wisdom,” and personal growth.

“Just turned 40 today, 26 May 2026. Thank you Jehovah!” she wrote.

The minister joked about her greying hair, framing it as a metaphor tied to her work in technology and innovation.

“I also received a new feature, strands of white hair. I am calling it ‘Wisdom in Beta’ – a reminder that with age comes greater clarity, resilience, and deeper connection,” Mavetera posted.

“As Minister of ICT, I spend my days talking about networks and innovation, maybe these silver threads are just my personal network showing its strongest links.”

She closed the message on a spiritual note: “Grateful for the journey, excited for what is next. It can only be God.”

The post quickly attracted criticism online. Several users accused government officials of prioritising image-building and motivational messaging while unemployment, poor public services, and rising living costs remain pressing issues for ordinary Zimbabweans.

Others questioned Mavetera’s record as ICT Minister, arguing that despite repeated commitments to digital transformation, many rural areas still face poor network coverage, high data costs, and limited access to technology.

The birthday post also reignited debate over what some described as a growing trend among senior ZANU PF figures to use public platforms for personal branding instead of addressing national challenges.