Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
The second edition of the Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi Sports Tournament concluded on a high note in Beitbridge yesterday, with Beitbridge East and Gwanda South emerging victorious in the netball and football tournaments, respectively.
Hundreds of youths from Matabeleland South province gathered in Beitbridge for this event, which celebrates the VP’s legacy and fosters community spirit.
The tournament featured teams from all 12 constituencies in the province, showcasing their talents in netball and soccer while raising awareness on drugs and substance abuse.
At least 420 youths participated in the tournament, which was jointly hosted at the Welton Primary School sports grounds and Ronnies Arena (Mabidi Stadium) in the border town.
A full house turned out in the town, which is also the home of the VP, whose legacy is highly celebrated by many community members.
In the soccer competitions, Gwanda South were crowned winners after beating Insiza in the finals, and they pocketed R125 000 and R85 000, new soccer kits and medals, respectively.
Beitbridge East netball team were winners after beating Insiza North in the finals.
In his keynote address, VP Mohadi, who is revered for his commitment to improving and encouraging young people to engage in sport, said sport has the power to promote unity, peace and social cohesion by bringing people together, as demonstrated by the crowds gathered yesterday.
“Furthermore, sport is not just for entertainment but an essential vehicle to empower and shape the futures of many young people, and therefore needs to be supported and funded by the corporate world to make a meaningful impact,” he said.
“I am told that the winners of the inaugural tournament, Gwanda Tshitaudze, started a flourishing goat project from their takings, and that alone points to the need for the corporate world and the relevant Government ministries to come together and support the youths in this region.
“I have observed that today (yesterday) is not just about sports, but the event goes beyond to inculcate valuable lessons in the youths through exhibitions of services and programmes offered by various organisations and institutions.”
VP Mohadi said youths had an opportunity to interact, create synergies and get invaluable knowledge, which is vital for their growth and camaraderie.
The Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, is committed to ensuring that all youths in the country are fully empowered, as evidenced by many youth- empowerment schemes that have also benefitted a lot of youths in Matabeleland South province.
VP Mohadi said programmes such as the Presidential Heifer Scheme, the allocation of tractors and farming equipment to youths, the Youth Land Allocation Scheme and the Youth Skills Training Programmes in vocational training centres, among others, are all meant to socially and economically empower the youth. He said the attainment of Vision 2030 was hinged upon the empowerment and emancipation of youths, as they are the future of this country.
“On that note, I wish to encourage all organisations, both in the Government and private sectors, to streamline youth empowerment in their programming,” said VP Mohadi.
“I encourage the creation of youth desks and appointment of youth focal persons in every organisation so that youth development becomes holistic and a reality.
“As we strive to modernise our country, the youth must play an active role in every aspect of national development and nation-building.The youths should stand up and demand to be included in national and community development programmes,” said VP Mohadi.
He also expressed concern over the prevailing situation of substance and drug abuse, which is not only affecting the youths, but adults as well.
Many youths with good upbringing and a promising future, VP Mohadi added, have unfortunately fallen victim to this scourge.
He said the Government, under the Second Republic, is putting all efforts to curb this pandemic through the identification and establishment of fully resourced and functional rehabilitation centres in each and every province.
“The establishment of Provincial Drug and Substance Abuse task forces serves as a commitment to fighting this social ill.
“I am aware that the youth in this province are facing a lot of other problems, such as illegal migration to neighbouring countries due to unemployment,” he said.
