Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
At least 30 000 youths are expected to gather at Igava Grounds in Marondera for the 21st National Youth Day celebrations on Saturday, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said yesterday.
This annual commemoration, which honours the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe — born on that day in 1924 — takes place against the backdrop of the National Youth Empowerment Strategy (2026–2030).
Launched by President Mnangagwa in October last year, the strategy seeks to enhance youth participation in the nation’s economic, digital and social sectors.
President Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.
Minister Machakaire said: “I am pleased to announce that the 2026 National Youth Day preparations are progressing well.
“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 the Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day.”
This year’s celebrations will run under the theme: “Youth Agenda for Transformation”.
More than 30 000 youths are expected to attend, along with representatives from regional youth councils, foreign delegates, and stakeholders from Government, civil society and the private sector.
National Youth Day will also honour graduates from the Youth Service in Zimbabwe, who will showcase their training through displays representing the 2024 and 2025 cohorts.
“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,” said Minister Machakaire.
The event will feature a job fair, providing a national platform for employment opportunities, alongside career guidance supported by Government ministries, the private sector and development partners.
Exhibitions will highlight youth-led enterprises, fostering potential partnerships and funding opportunities for successful initiatives.
President Mnangagwa is also expected to lead a groundbreaking ceremony for a new vocational training centre at the site, which will be named the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Vocational Training Centre upon completion.
The 2026 National Youth Day celebrations align with the National Development Strategy 2, which prioritises increased youth participation in key sectors as part of efforts to achieve Vision 2030.
National Youth Day is recognised as a public holiday to celebrate the values associated with the late former President Mugabe’s leadership, particularly his encouragement for young people to embrace sound leadership principles and emulate the ethos of national liberators.
The Igava Training Centre, the venue for the celebrations, is currently undergoing renovations to position it as a hub for youth empowerment.
Renovation works include site clearing, the establishment of fishponds and the construction of business units.
