Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
FOR many families in Gwanda, drug and substance abuse has become one of the biggest concerns affecting young people today. Cases of youths becoming trapped in addiction are increasingly common, while unemployment and limited opportunities leave many struggling to find direction.
Against this backdrop, a local youth empowerment initiative is seeking to offer a different path — one that focuses on talent, opportunity and personal development.
The Gifted/Is’Phiwo Project, being implemented by Elevators Career Guidance and Youth Empowerment Organisation (ECGYEO), has received strong support from Gwanda Municipality, with councillors pledging to work alongside the programme as it expands its reach across the district.
The project was officially introduced to council during a meeting attended by Mayor Alderman Thulani Moyo and councillors, who welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to supporting activities aimed at empowering young people.
The endorsement from council comes at a time when communities are searching for practical solutions to the growing drug and substance abuse problem. While awareness campaigns have become common, many young people still lack platforms where they can develop their talents, gain confidence and build skills that can improve their future prospects.
It is this gap that ECGYEO hopes to address through the Gifted/Is’Phiwo Project.
Addressing councillors during the meeting, ECGYEO founder and executive director Mr Blessings Ndlovu said the initiative was designed to respond directly to the challenges facing young people in Gwanda.
“The Gifted/Is’Phiwo Project is a flagship youth empowerment initiative implemented by Elevators Career Guidance and Youth Empowerment Organisation. Our mission is to ‘Catch Them Youth… For an Empowered and Resilient Future Generation’,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said that the project seeks to identify, nurture and promote young people’s talents while encouraging them to pursue productive lifestyles through education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, sport and the creative arts.
At the centre of the programme is the message: “I’m Gifted, Not High!”
The slogan reflects the project’s belief that every young person possesses talents and abilities that can be developed into opportunities for personal growth, employment and community development. Organisers say that when young people are given purpose and opportunities to pursue their interests, they are less likely to fall into drug and substance abuse.
Since its launch, the project has introduced a number of activities across Gwanda aimed at engaging young people and providing positive alternatives.
Among the activities are anti-drug awareness roadshows that take the campaign directly into communities. The roadshows provide opportunities for residents, parents and young people to discuss the dangers of drug and substance abuse and the impact addiction can have on families and communities.
The project has also hosted open mic events where aspiring artists are given platforms to showcase their talents through poetry, music, dance, spoken word and comedy. For many young performers, such opportunities are rare, making the events an important outlet for creativity and self-expression.
Sport has also been used as a tool to unite young people and encourage healthy lifestyles. Community football tournaments organised through the programme have attracted enthusiastic participation from local youths, providing recreation while promoting teamwork and discipline.
Other activities include talent auditions, mentorship programmes, career guidance workshops and leadership development sessions. Organisers believe that exposing young people to positive role models and practical life skills can help them make informed decisions about their futures.
Awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug and substance abuse continue to form a central part of the project, with organisers working to ensure that young people understand the risks associated with addiction.
Recognising that youth development cannot be achieved by one organisation alone, ECGYEO has been building partnerships with schools, churches, government departments, local leaders and community organisations.
Mr Ndlovu said the support received from council had strengthened the initiative and demonstrated a shared commitment to investing in young people.
“We were deeply honoured by the presence of His Worship the Mayor, Alderman Moyo, whose encouraging words, valuable contributions and unwavering support reaffirmed the importance of investing in our young people. We are also grateful to all the councillors who warmly welcomed the project and expressed their commitment to working alongside us to build a brighter future for the youth of Gwanda,” he said.
The Gifted/Is’Phiwo Project is being implemented by ECGYEO in partnership with New Era Film Television, the Municipality of Gwanda, government departments, ward councillors and other community stakeholders.
For organisers, these partnerships are important because they allow the programme to reach more young people and connect them with opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Mr Ndlovu said the project is not simply about raising awareness but about creating practical opportunities for young people to improve their lives.
These opportunities include platforms where talented youths can showcase their abilities, access to mentors, receive career guidance, develop leadership skills and connect with networks that can assist them in education, employment, entrepreneurship and careers in the creative sector.
Many young people have talent but often struggle to find support, exposure and guidance. Through the project, organisers hope to help bridge that gap and show young people that there are positive pathways available to them.
“Our broader vision is to create safer communities by offering positive alternatives to drug and substance abuse,” he said.
The backing from council is expected to help the project expand into more wards and reach a greater number of young people in the district.
Organisers believe that tackling drug and substance abuse requires more than simply warning young people about its dangers.
It also requires creating opportunities that give them something meaningful to pursue.
For Gwanda, the success of the Gifted/Is’Phiwo Project could mean more than just identifying talented musicians, athletes or aspiring entrepreneurs. It could help create a generation of young people who are confident in their abilities, connected to opportunities and equipped to make positive contributions to their communities.
As support for the initiative grows, its message remains simple: every young person has potential, and with the right guidance, opportunities and encouragement, that potential can be turned into something meaningful. By helping young people discover their gifts and pursue their ambitions, organisers hope to build stronger communities while steering youths away from drugs and towards a brighter future.
