Online Reporter
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
A TOTAL of 1 879 young people are undergoing training under the Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ) Programme at centres across the country, as Government intensifies efforts to empower the nation’s youth through skills development and national service.
The YSZ programme, which was relaunched in May last year by President Mnangagwa, seeks to equip youths with practical skills, values and discipline to enable their meaningful participation in national development.
Training is underway at Dadaya in Zvishavane (Midlands), Vumba in Mutare (Manicaland) and Guyu in Gwanda (Matabeleland South).
In June 2024, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training recruited 1, 077 trainees, comprising 825 at Dadaya and 252 at Vumba.
All have since graduated, and the current cohort of 1 879 is expected to complete its training and graduate this year after finishing community attachments.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Solomon Mhlanga, said the programme is accessible to all Zimbabwean youths aged 18 to 35, including persons with disabilities.
It also strives for gender balance and fair regional representation in line with Sections 18 and 20 of the Constitution.
“As the Government, our expectations from Youth Service in Zimbabwe graduates include positive behavioural change.
“Graduates are expected to shun risky sexual and social behaviours, such as drug and substance abuse and corruption.
“They should contribute positively to national development, becoming important assets in the country’s growth.
“We expect them to have a service-oriented mindsets rooted in patriotism; be informed citizens aware of national economic, political and social policies; and actively participate in achieving the economic outcomes outlined in the National Development Strategy.”
Mr Mhlanga also outlined plans to expand the programme significantly.
“We aim to establish a training centre in every province, with a minimum intake of 1 000 trainees per province,” he said.
“This would result in 10 000 trainees across all provinces per intake.
“With two intakes per annum, our annual target would be 20 000 trainees.”
The YSZ course structure combines two components: institutionalised training and community attachment.
The institutionalised training covers various areas that include national orientation, civic education, youth participation in development, personal and community health practices, disaster management principles, physical education and drills, sports, arts and culture, and gender issues.
Additionally, it addresses anti-corruption principles, including the causes and effects of corruption and the role of young people in preventing it.
Specialised topics offered under the programme include entrepreneurship and livelihood skills training, which covers the basics of entrepreneurship and agricultural practices, and information and communication technology (ICT), focusing on basic computer literacy, internet usage and social media management.
