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Play time… Members of Fire flame group from Dzivarasekwa show some of their moves during the expo

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Features Writer
From exponents of arts, fashion, music, education, to business, the array of youth provided a glimpse of what they have achieved and what they can attain in the near future. Though the weather was not favourable, it was not a deterrent as all went according to plan.The main stage was well decorated and the various exhibition stands showcased different products while they glowed with lives of their own as they featured different artistic designs.

The youths had gathered to show the world what they have to offer.
Zimbabwean youths are taking the initiative.

ZYC communication officer Innocent Katsande highlighted that the expo had created a platform for young people to share information among themselves.

“It is a day to remember as many youths converged at the HICC. It was meant for youths to exchange notes on business skills and how they can develop the nation. Youths also know that being skilled can sustain livelihoods,” he said.

His words were echoed by Shepherd Shamu, a young carpenter from Chitungwiza, who said he had been using his trade to sustain his growing family.

“Yes, youths are important in contributing to the country’s economy because they are full of fresh ideas that can take the economy forward.

‘‘But in order for us to realise this goal, we need to have similar minds in Parliament, Government, the central bank and other organisations. Such stakeholders should always have youths in mind and consider them for loans and grants which should go a long way in funding their projects,” Shamu said.

Charity Buka of Sunningdale said youths — especially young women — had the potential of transforming the agricultural fortunes of Zimbabwe and help the country regain its “breadbasket” status.

“We have youths who have gone to vocational and agricultural colleges where they have been trained on how to run agricultural enterprises and we should have more of these youths using their skills to boost agriculture in this country so that we avoid a situation whereby we have to import grain especially maize, from outside.

“Gone are the days when we could only look up to our elders as the sole drivers of the agricultural sector.
‘‘Now, things have changed, and it is the youths who should steer agriculture in a more productive way. Just look at the case of young Rudo Boka of Boka Tobacco Auction Floors who is doing a tremendous job.

“What we are appealing for is assistance through capital injection into our projects,” Charity (34) said.
While Charity believes progress lies in agriculture, there are some youths who also have high hopes for a better Zimbabwe only if efforts are made to strengthen the arts and entertainment sector.

According to the youths, they can contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product if they are given the recognition they deserve.
Fashion designer, Mckenzie Sigauke of Mbare hailed the expo saying it would go a long way in developing the country by harnessing the potential in young people.

Musician Shepherd Postu (30), who is also a trainee teacher at Mutare Teachers College, said the arts industry in Zimbabwe should grow and start paying better as was the case in South Africa, Nigeria, India and the United States.

“A good number of Zimbabwean youths are talented in the arts and they have contributed to the large chunk of Zimbabwean music in the likes of Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and these urban and dancehall artistes sprouting on a daily basis.

“With the right kind of support and direction being taken in this industry, I see Zimbabwean youths going places,” Postu said.

This is probably the same message that young poets who were featured in the Shona poetry anthology, “Tipeiwo Dariro” were trying to put across.

“Give us a platform,” suggests the title of the anthology, and true to these words, Zimbabwean youths can contribute something meaningful to their country if they are given a chance to prove themselves.

Some youths from Zeya also decided to show the world that they can do it for themselves when they decided what was to famously become known as the “Hovhorosi Style”, overalls which bear President Mugabe’s signature and image which the youths designed.
“We believe that the future of this country lies in the hands of our youths.

“The indigenisation drive that was introduced by His Excellency President Robert Mugabe should see our youths benefiting from their country’s resources and we want to see our country’s youths also taking an active role in mining, farming, industry and other key areas of the economy,” said Kashambe.

Kashambe said Zimbabweans youths were the bedrock of progress since they constituted a larger chunk of the population.
The Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Francis Nhema, told the youths who convened for the Harare Youth Expo that they were indeed the future of this country but they had to be organised first and also convince his ministry that they deserved support.

The minister made it clear that his ministry would not discriminate along gender, race, political affiliation or religion.
In fact the expo served a greater purpose as more youth exhibitors including young entrepreneurs and financial institutions graced the one day organised by the Zimbabwe Youth Council.

If anything, Zimbabwe’s youths are in the right direction. The world over, youths are failing to get jobs in the formal sector and most seem to be waiting for their government to give them something on a silver platter.

Worldwide, an estimated 73 million youths – defined as those between the ages of 15 and 24 – were unable to secure work in 2013, according to the ILO.

The rate of underemployment is difficult to measure, but experts say that it is likely that millions more were either working jobs for which they are overqualified or else receiving below-average wages.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the youth unemployment rate hovers around 12 percent.
While this is slightly lower than the global youth unemployment rate of 12.4 percent, the African region has the world’s highest rate of working poverty — people who are employed but earning less than US$2 a day.

With such initiatives and solid government policies like Zim-Asset Zimbabwean youths will break new ground and become employers.