Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
IN a landmark initiative, Zoe Empowers Zimbabwe has marked a significant milestone in its mission to combat youth unemployment and substance abuse, with 258 young individuals graduating from vocational training programmes at Marange Vocational Training Centre.
The ceremony, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, showcased the organisation’s commitment to equipping vulnerable youths with practical skills, thereby fostering sustainable livelihoods and community development.
The graduands, comprising 128 males and 130 females, had undergone intensive training in various trades, including carpentry, building, welding, tailoring, catering, and hairdressing, as part of a comprehensive three-year empowerment model.
Country manager for Zoe Empowers Zimbabwe, Mrs Barbara Matsanga described the graduation as a testament to the organisation’s commitment to create self-reliant communities through youth-centred empowerment.
“Zoe Empowers is not a charity—it is a movement built on dignity, not dependency. Our three-year model emphasises group-based empowerment, equipping orphans and vulnerable children with the skills, confidence, and self-reliance to build their own futures,” said Ms Matsanga.
She explained that the programme’s success lies in its community-led approach, where local leaders and mentors guide the youths through practical training and entrepreneurship.
“Beyond certification, we are fighting drug and substance abuse, reducing early child marriages, and addressing youth unemployment. We are expanding this model to Chipinge, where more young people will benefit from similar empowerment programmes,” she said.
Mrs Matsanga further highlighted that Zoe Empowers operates in several African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Sudan, reflecting the organisation’s continental footprint in transforming young lives.
The initiative’s anti-drug component has been particularly praised by community leaders for steering vulnerable youths away from addiction and towards productive, independent living.
Marange Vocational Training Centre principal, Mr Silent Murigwa commended the partnership, and lauded the graduates for their resilience and determination.
“We are celebrating a transformative journey for these exceptional young people. Their hard work has equipped them with skills that will enable them to thrive in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” said Mr Murigwa.
He emphasised that the training programmes are aligned with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks to build a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society.
“Our ministry’s goal is to see empowered youths actively participating in national development by 2030. Through public-private partnerships, curriculum development, and industry-relevant training, we are ensuring that our graduates are employable, entrepreneurial, and self-sufficient,” he said.
He added that Marange VTC will soon open applications for its January 2026 intake, offering two-year conventional programmes, and short courses in areas such as motor mechanics, catering, clothing technology, carpentry, and electronics.
“We remain grateful to Zoe Empowers for providing start up kits, training materials, and mentorship. This collaboration is proof that empowering youths with practical skills is the strongest antidote to poverty, drug abuse, and social vulnerability,” said Mr Murigwa.
