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Farirai Machivenyika in MUTARE

YOUNG people have an important role to play in the country’s governance and economic development as the nation strives to attain an upper-middle income status as envisaged by Vision 2030, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

In that regard, the President said his administration has incorporated youths at various levels of governance.

President Mnangagwa was speaking at the Youth Empowerment Forum hosted by Manicaland Province at Magamba Vocational Training Centre in Mutare.

The event coincided with belated Africa Youth Day celebrations.

“You our young people, deserve a seat at the table of governance and the economy, you are dependable development partners, as we march towards the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.

“My Government has, thus, demonstrated this inclination through the deliberate incorporation of the youth in various sectors, including across Government ministries, departments and agencies.”

President Mnangagwa challenged the private sector to upscale youth focused support and empowerment by developing community-based programmes that address the economic and social needs of young people.

He said Government remains committed to providing quality education that equips the youth with the necessary skills for harnessing the opportunities presented by the fast developing and ever-changing global environment.

The Youth Empowerment Forum ran under the theme, “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable development: Unleashing youth potential in entrepreneurship”.

President Mnangagwa unveils a plaque to officially commission a computer lab at Magamba Vocational Training Centre in Mutare yesterday. Looking on is Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Misheck Mugadza, Youth Empowerment Minister Tino Machakaire and Government officials – Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara

President Mnangagwa said the theme was appropriate and speaks to Government’s awareness of the critical role played by young people in shaping Zimbabwe’s future.

“Youth ingenuity, innovative and tech savvy ideas and broad perspectives are indeed necessary to harness emerging possibilities as well as for tackling contemporary challenges,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said it was essential to modernise VTCs for equipping students with skills they need for life.

He commended students at Magamba VTC for producing crops like fine beans for both the domestic and export markets.

“In this regard, the ongoing drive to promote intra-Africa trade and ‘Made in Africa’ goods and services, along with the innovative youth-led enterprises to enhance climate change mitigation and strengthen food and nutrition security on the continent, present tremendous opportunities for young people,” President Mnangagwa said.

He directed VTCs across the country to work with trade promotion body, ZimTrade, to penetrate export markets.

President Mnangagwa also called on the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, to quicken the pace of capacitating VTCs so that they may ultimately be developed into hubs for socio-economic empowerment of communities.

District Youth Business Units, he said, were being established to promote entrepreneurship among young people.

“To this end, we urge various stakeholders to complement these initiatives by supporting the creation of programmes and projects that support youth development through entrepreneurship, mentorship and access to finance,” President Mnangagwa said.

He slammed corruption and urged the youth to value the virtues of hard honest work and discipline.

The President releases fingerlings into a fish pond at Magamba Vocational Training Centre at the official launch of the institution’s Business Unit yesterday

President Mnangagwa said the Government recognised the importance of digital literacy and has begun distribution of computers at VTCs, including ensuring internet connectivity.

“As we celebrate the Youth month, let us continue to remember that youths are indeed the future of our nation.

“We must continue to fight against drug and substance abuse for the sake of our children. I therefore, applaud the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030) which guides programming in this area. I challenge young people to lead this fight within your schools and communities,” he said.

Before his address, the President commissioned a hostel at Magamba VTC constructed by students, a computer laboratory, a horticulture garden and introduced fingerlings into fish ponds at the institution.

President Mnangagwa also donated 13 000 chicks to VTCs in Manicaland.

The event was also attended by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife John Paradza and Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Vangelis Haritatos.

People queue to gain entry to Magamba Vocational Training Centre for the Youth Empowerment Forum which coincided with the Africa Youth Day belated commemorations in Mutare yesterday. – Picture: Believe Nyakudjara

Students follow proceedings at the Youth Empowerment Forum which coincided with the Africa Youth Day belated commemorations at Magamba Vocational Training Centre in Mutare yesterday. – Picture: Believe Nyakudjara