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Gibson Nyikadzino and Victor Maphosa
YOUTH Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire challenged 37 graduates of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme destined for Algeria on a vocational skills scholarship to be disciplined ambassadors, who will use their knowledge to positively contribute to the country’s development.
Addressing parents, guardians and scholarship beneficiaries at a send-off ceremony in Harare recently, Minister Machakaire expressed Zimbabwe’s gratitude to Algeria for the two-year scholarship programme.
The first batch of students departed on Thursday.
“You have been selected on merit, so conduct yourselves with integrity and professionalism, remembering that you carry the hopes and aspirations of our nation. Let your excellence reflect the resilience and determination that define Zimbabwean youth.
“This scholarship initiative reflects the strong and enduring bilateral relations between our two nations. Algeria’s continued commitment to investing in the human capital of Zimbabwean youth is deeply appreciated,” Minister Machakaire said.
In 2025, Cabinet resolved that certified graduates of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme with the relevant entry qualifications be admitted at state higher and tertiary education institutions, and get equal opportunities for study.
The programme also aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Youth Empowerment Strategy’s pillar of education and skills development, which is central to Zimbabwe’s sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and innovation.
Minister Machakaire reminded students that their return to Zimbabwe after two years will be punctuated with expectations of innovation and practical solutions for entrepreneurship in the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
“When you return home, we expect innovation, creativity, and practical solutions as you become catalysts for entrepreneurship, productivity and community development. Your skills and ideas are essential for our national vision of attaining upper middle-income economy status by 2030.
“This scholarship programme is an investment, and as Government, we remain committed to empowering our youth through education, skills development, innovation, and strong international partnerships,” he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga has said the Youth Service programme was a game-changer in nation-building as it equips youths with skills and knowledge critical for the country’s development agenda.
In a recent interview while assessing preparations for National Youth Day celebrations at Igava Business Centre in Marondera, Deputy Minister Mupamhanga said studies had shown that it was crucial for a nation to equip youths with skills as they were the future leaders.
“The National Youth Service in Zimbabwe, which has been rebranded to Youth Service in Zimbabwe under the Second Republic, is a programme that is aimed at equipping youths with skills, orientation and responsibility, which is critical when we talk of nation-building.”
“As you are aware, youths constitute the biggest percentage in terms of our population; we are looking at about 5,5 million who are between the ages of 15 and 35.
“Studies have shown that vocational training is critical in building nations and as a nation, we are saying Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo and we view the youth as the future leaders and custodians of this nation.
“Therefore, we need to capacitate them with skills and knowledge from our vocational training centres, which include bricklaying, welding, metal work and many others.”
Deputy Minister Mupamhanga said youth service builds a responsible citizen who gets first preference when it comes to job opportunities in the civil service.
“Those young people are the first priority in the absorption into the civil service and also in future, in the private sector.”
Deputy Minister Mupamhanga added that the youth service programme was also an effective tool in the fight against drug abuse.
Working with partners such as Angel of Hope Foundation, the Government has made significant progress in rehabilitating youths affected by drug and substance abuse.
Online Reporter