Blessings Chidakwa-Senior Reporter
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has implored young people to translate their leadership skills into practical solutions to challenges facing their communities, urging them to champion discipline, integrity and accountability while driving positive change and contributing to national development.
Dr Mnangagwa said this yesterday while presiding over the lively inaugural graduation ceremony of the First Lady’s Youth Vanguard Movement Training Programme at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, following the launch of the pioneering initiative at the same institution in March this year.
The programme seeks to nurture disciplined, innovative and action-oriented young leaders who can drive good governance, entrepreneurship, community development and socio-economic transformation.
The graduates are expected to become catalysts for community transformation by developing practical solutions to challenges affecting families and communities across Zimbabwe.
From improving local livelihoods and creating business opportunities to strengthening accountability and addressing social challenges, they are expected to translate the leadership skills acquired during the programme into tangible benefits for all Zimbabweans.
The graduation ceremony also recognised outstanding participants, with cash prizes awarded to top-performing graduates.
Nyasha Tigere received the Best Overall Student award, while Sharon Satande came second and Tapiwa Masulumadi third.
Addressing the jubilant graduates, Dr Mnangagwa said the initiative was established to nurture, mentor and equip young people to participate confidently in leadership, governance and national development, contributing to President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 aspiration of transforming Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society.
As Patron of the Youth Vanguard Movement under the Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady also said the programme was designed to prepare a generation capable of translating knowledge into practical solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
“A certificate is recognition of work completed; it is not the final measure of leadership. The true value of this programme will be seen in how you use what you have learnt, the quality of decisions you make, the people you serve and the positive changes you help bring about. I therefore challenge each one of you to become a practical problem-solver.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, flanked by ministers, poses for a photo with graduands of the First Lady’s Youth Vanguard Movement Training Programme during their inaugural graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday.
“When you return to your communities and institutions, look carefully at the challenges around you. Listen to the people affected. Identify opportunities, bring people together, develop realistic solutions and follow through,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa added: “Whether your contribution is in public service, business, education, community development, innovation or another field, let it be guided by integrity, accountability and a clear sense of purpose.”
The programme, which ran for three months this year, brought together young people from across the country’s 10 provinces through face-to-face and virtual learning engagements.
It covered leadership development, governance and civic engagement, project management, sustainable entrepreneurship, participatory community development and accountability reporting.
Through group projects, presentations, leadership development plans and capstone showcases, participants had opportunities to translate classroom lessons into practical applications.
Dr Mnangagwa said the graduation was not merely the end of a course but a celebration of the graduates’ growth and readiness to lead.
She urged them to sustain the movement through service, innovation, ethical leadership and community development.
“To the graduates, I ask you to carry the spirit of the Youth Vanguard Movement into every space you enter. Let your leadership be visible in the quality of your work, the respect you show others, the solutions you develop and the accountability with which you exercise responsibility.
“Do not wait for a position before you begin to serve. Leadership starts with the choices you make and the contribution you offer wherever you are,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa emphasised that true leadership was defined by actions and service rather than titles, positions or status.
“It is demonstrated through service, humility, courage, consistency and results. A leader must be willing to listen, to learn, to accept constructive feedback and to take responsibility. You must be prepared to work with others, respect different perspectives and place the common good above personal interest,” she said.
“Achieving this aspiration calls for capable institutions, innovation, discipline, good governance and citizens who are prepared to contribute meaningfully. It also calls for young people who understand that they are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are important contributors to the development of our country today.”
Emphasising that national development must leave no one and no place behind, the First Lady encouraged graduates to maintain the networks established during the programme, support one another and mentor other young people, drawing on their diverse talents and experiences to strengthen the country’s leadership pipeline.
“To our young women and men, I urge you to believe in your capacity to lead and to use your talents responsibly. Do not allow fear, limited exposure or the absence of immediate opportunity to define your potential.
“At the same time, remember that confidence must be matched by preparation, discipline and hard work. Let your conduct reflect the values and standards expected of the leaders you aspire to become,” she said.
The First Lady further urged graduates to seek guidance from experienced leaders and share their knowledge with others to ensure the continued development of capable future leaders.
Dr Mnangagwa also commended the University of Zimbabwe leadership, facilitators and other stakeholders for supporting the training programme.
“Your collective effort has helped turn the vision of this movement into a meaningful learning experience,” she said.
Best Overall Student Nyasha Tigere thanked Dr Mnangagwa for creating an opportunity for young people to develop into empowered and responsible leaders, saying the training had equipped them with skills and values to make a positive difference in their communities.
She said the programme had helped groom participants into responsible young people capable of exercising leadership with confidence, discipline and purpose. “I want to thank the First Lady for giving us an opportunity to become empowered leaders, but not just leaders, responsible young people as well. The programme has groomed us to become better leaders who can make a positive difference in our communities,” she said.
Second-best student Sharon Satande also applauded Dr Mnangagwa for creating a platform through which young people could develop their leadership potential.
She said the programme had taught them the importance of responsible leadership, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, particularly when working with people from different backgrounds.
“Through this programme, we have learnt how to become good leaders, respect one another and live harmoniously with people from different backgrounds.
“Leadership is not just about holding positions, but also about understanding others, working together and being responsible for our actions,” she said.
Another graduate, Tapiwa Masulumadi, said the programme had instilled in participants a strong sense of responsibility and accountability, which were essential qualities for young people entrusted with leadership roles.
“Through this training, I learnt that as young people, we must take responsibility for our actions and remain accountable in carrying out the duties entrusted to us. We should demonstrate commitment, take our responsibilities seriously and be answerable for the roles we undertake,” he said.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava commended Dr Mnangagwa for her commitment to empowering communities and humanitarian work.
“We are privileged to witness the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Youth Vanguard Movement, marking an important milestone in advancing youth participation and leadership development. This occasion reflects the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to nurturing responsible, skilled and empowered young people who can contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation,” he said.
Graduands follow proceedings in a jovial mood during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the First Lady’s Youth Vanguard Movement Training Programme at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.
Minister Shava said initiatives that equip young people with relevant skills and leadership values were important in preparing them to contribute to national development.
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo said the Youth Vanguard Movement was equipping young people with practical leadership skills needed to address community challenges and contribute to national development.
Prof Mapfumo thanked the First Lady for entrusting the University of Zimbabwe with the responsibility of implementing the initiative, describing it as an important investment in the country’s future leadership. He said her commitment to youth development reflected the importance of investing in young people as contributors to national transformation.
“There is no person who loves you more than a person who educates you,” he said, acknowledging the First Lady’s role in creating opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge and leadership skills.
Prof Mapfumo said the graduates had undertaken practical projects, presentations and leadership activities that strengthened their communication, public speaking, negotiation, strategic planning and accountability skills.
He said the programme complemented the university’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which emphasises innovation, industrialisation and community service.
“The true measure of your success will not be the certificate you receive today but the contribution you make to your communities, your workplaces and your nation,” he said.
Graduands of the First Lady’s Youth Vanguard Movement Training Programme cheerfully display their certificates after the inaugural graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire commended the First Lady for going beyond providing resources to young people by investing in building their character, strengthening their discipline and restoring their values to prepare them to become responsible citizens. He said the Youth Vanguard Movement reflected the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to nurturing a generation of disciplined, responsible and patriotic young Zimbabweans.
“Your Excellency, the Youth Vanguard Movement is yet another powerful testimony to your unwavering commitment to our young generation. You have recognised that empowering young people is not simply about giving them resources.
“It is about building their character, strengthening their discipline, restoring their values and preparing them to become responsible citizens,” he said.
Minister Machakaire also said his ministry would complement the First Lady’s initiatives by supporting youth development, including facilitating access to youth empowerment funds.
Harare Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa said the Youth Vanguard Movement was nurturing a generation of patriotic, innovative and service-oriented young people equipped to contribute to national development.
He said the graduates had a responsibility to become ambassadors of the values and skills acquired through the programme, adding that their competencies would contribute to the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2.
“The graduates are pioneers, role models and torchbearers for future generations. They carry a special responsibility to demonstrate the discipline, innovation, productivity and commitment to national development that they have acquired through this movement,” he said.
Following the successful implementation of the programme, graduates equipped with project management skills can help communities identify pressing needs, mobilise resources and implement initiatives that improve livelihoods.
Those equipped with entrepreneurship skills can also contribute to job creation, innovation and economic empowerment, particularly among young people.
