Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
MORE than 30 000 youths are expected to converge at Igava Training Centre in Marondera on Saturday for National Youth Day celebrations, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire has said.
President Mnangagwa will preside over the commemorations, to be held under the theme; “Youth Agenda for Transformation”.
National Youth Day, observed annually on February 21, is a public holiday.
The day celebrates the contribution of young people to Zimbabwe’s political, social and economic development, while providing a platform for Government to engage youths on empowerment, employment and nation-building programmes.
Minister Machakaire said preparations for this year’s event were at an advanced stage.
“I am pleased to announce that the 2026 National Youth Day preparations are progressing well,” he said.
“The Government has recognised this day as a national holiday through Statutory Instrument 143 of 2017, emphasising the importance of our youth and our commitment to their empowerment and development.
“On February 21, 2026, Zimbabwean youths will unite at the Igava Training Centre in Mashonaland East Province to celebrate National Youth Day.”
This year’s commemorations come against the backdrop of the National Youth Empowerment Strategy (2026-2030), launched by President Mnangagwa in October last year to enhance youth participation in the country’s economic, digital and social sectors.
The shift to Marondera follows last year’s event at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, in line with Government’s decentralisation policy aimed at promoting balanced development across provinces.
The celebrations will also honour graduates of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe, who are expected to showcase their training through displays representing the 2024 and 2025 cohorts.
Minister Machakaire said the event would reinforce Government’s broader development thrust.
“Our goal is to cultivate a youth population motivated to reject drug and substance abuse and actively contribute to the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2, aiming for a prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
A job fair will form part of the programme, providing employment opportunities and career guidance through the participation of Government ministries, the private sector and development partners.
Exhibitions highlighting youth-led enterprises are also lined up to facilitate partnerships and funding.
President Mnangagwa is expected to lead a ground-breaking ceremony for a new vocational training centre at the site, to be named the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Vocational Training Centre upon completion.
