Online Reporter
Online Reporter
Award-winning miner Alloyd Moxen Moyo, founder of Moxen Investments and a prominent figure in Filabusi, has expressed strong enthusiasm over the ongoing construction of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre (VTC) and Youth Service Zimbabwe (YSZ) in Nyongolo Village, Maphisa—describing the initiative as a “game-changer” for Matabeleland South.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Moyo commended the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training for spearheading what he called a “visionary and practical intervention” aimed at addressing youth unemployment and skills shortages in the province.
“As miners in Matabeleland South, we are excited about this initiative. I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth for coming up with such a forward-looking program. This is exactly what our province needs,” said Mr Moyo.
He emphasized that the mining sector is ready to play its part in supporting the initiative by absorbing graduates from the institution.
“We will definitely take in students from the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo VTC and work with them at our mining operations. We are prepared to give them hands-on experience and a real chance to grow within the mining sector. This is how we empower our youth and build a sustainable industry,” he added.
The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo VTC, an Independence Legacy Project, is rapidly taking shape and is expected to accommodate up to 2,000 trainees, making it one of the largest vocational training centres in Zimbabwe. Construction is progressing steadily, with 8 out of the planned 16 classroom blocks already at ring-beam level ahead of the targeted Independence completion timeline.
According to Mrs Mavhonani Muleya, Deputy Director for Matabeleland South in the Ministry, the facility will enrol youths from across the country, with Matabeleland South set to benefit significantly due to its location.
“This centre will play a crucial role in equipping young people with practical skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing employment opportunities,” she said.
The impact of the VTC and YSZ is expected to be far-reaching. Current estimates indicate that over 45,000 youths from Matabeleland South—approximately 35% of the province’s young population—have migrated to South Africa in search of employment.
However, with the new training centre:
2,000 youths will be trained annually
Over 10,000 youths will benefit within the first five years
Around 6,000 graduates (60%) are expected to secure employment or start businesses locally
Youth migration could decline by up to 25% as local opportunities expand
Mr Moyo believes this shift is long overdue.
“For years, we have seen our young people leaving the country due to lack of opportunities. This programme will help retain talent, develop skills, and channel that energy into productive sectors like mining,” he said.
The integration of trained youths into the mining sector is expected to significantly boost productivity in Matabeleland South. Projections suggest that if even a fraction of graduates venture into mining:
Small-scale mining output could increase by 15%
More than 3,000 jobs could be created directly and indirectly
Local economies in districts like Filabusi and Maphisa will experience renewed growth
Mr Moyo, known for his commitment to responsible and community-focused mining, said the collaboration between industry and training institutions is key to long-term success.
“We need skilled, disciplined, and innovative young people in mining. This VTC will produce exactly that. As industry players, we must open our doors and mentor them,” he said.
The project is in line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, both of which prioritize youth empowerment, industrialisation, and economic growth.
By equipping youths with technical skills and linking them to key sectors such as mining, the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo VTC is expected to:
Strengthen local industries
Promote entrepreneurship and innovation
Reduce unemployment
Contribute to Zimbabwe’s journey towards an upper-middle-income economy
As construction continues in Nyongolo Village, hope is rising across Matabeleland South. For Mr Moyo and many others, the project represents a new dawn—one where young people no longer have to cross borders in search of survival, but instead build prosperous futures at home.
“This is how we develop as a nation,” Mr Moyo concluded. “Empower the youth, support industry, and the rest will follow.”
