Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in Marondera
Youths in Mashonaland East Province have expressed excitement over President Mnangagwa’s devolution agenda ahead of the National Youth Day celebrations set for February 21 at the Igava Training Centre.
The commemorations will be presided over by President Mnangagwa, who will officially launch the construction of what is expected to be the largest joint Vocational and National Youth Service training centre in the country.
Preliminary work on the project is already underway, with the President endorsing the initiative. Preparations for the National Youth Day celebrations are progressing well, with many local youths employed in construction and civil works for the event.
Mashonaland East Youth Quota Member of Parliament, Cde Tawanda Mudowo, said:
“As the youth in Mashonaland East Province, we are very happy and we would like to thank President Mnangagwa for bringing the big day to our province. This is in the true spirit of devolution, and we salute him.”
Cde Mudowo added that the President’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind” is especially captured in allowing Mashonaland East to host the critical day, which falls on the birthday of the late national founding President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
The day seeks to honour the contributions of young people to national development. Cde Mudowo noted Igava Training Centre’s historical challenges, especially related to accessibility and infrastructure. He commended the new access roads and the state-of-the-art training centre now being constructed.
“This place will never be the same again after February 21,” Cde Mudowo said.
He emphasised that the training centre will offer youths the chance to learn valuable skills and promote patriotism. Business units have also been established at the college, including nutrition gardens and fish farming projects for youths in the area.
One of the youths working on the construction, Mr Mike Charakupa, said:
“The coming of the National Youth Day celebrations to Igava has empowered us in a manner we never imagined before. I am now earning a living from the construction activities taking place here. I have three close friends working with me, and altogether we have more than 50 youths from this area now employed.”
Mr Charakupa said their area needs more development and has received a major boost “over the past three to four weeks.”
Government ministries are actively involved in preparations for the big day at the venue. Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts, highlighting the collaborative spirit surrounding the event.
The excitement surrounding National Youth Day is seen as reflective of the hopes of a community eager to embrace positive change and development.
