Online Reporter
Bokang Tlou, Sunday News Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to headline the National Youth Empowerment Symposium that will be held by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training at the Harare Agricultural Show Grounds on Friday.
The symposium will be a two-day event, starting on 31 July with its official opening on 1 August (Friday) where President Mnangagwa is expected to launch the National Youth Empowerment Strategy, which will outline the Government’s commitment to youth economic empowerment across all sectors including priority actions and accountability measures.
The event aims to create a dynamic platform to connect young people with entrepreneurs, Government agencies, private sector players and development partners.
In an interview with Sunday News, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Advocacy, Mr Ransom Madzamba, said the symposium seeks to address information, exposure, mentorship and market linkage gaps that prevent many youths from tapping into available economic opportunities.
“Youths, both individuals and clubs, who have made significant progress in enterprise development and job creation will receive Presidential Certificates of Excellence during the symposium. The awards seek to promote visibility of outstanding youth business leaders, inspire peers to emulate success stories and reinforce national appreciation for youth contributions towards Vision 2030.
“All in all the expected outcomes of the event include having a more informed and economically active youth population, ready to take advantage of national opportunities, improved linkages between youth, markets, mentors, regulators and financiers,” he said.
Mr Madzamba said the goal was to increase the formalisation of youth-led enterprises and uptake of Government and partner services, as well as operationalisation of the Youth Empowerment Strategy as a guiding frame for implementation.
“The youth constitute the majority of our population as a country. The youth demographic thus remains Zimbabwe’s great resource, representing the energy, creativity and potential that can propel the country towards inclusive economic growth and transformation. The statistics underscore the urgent need to accelerate youth empowerment initiatives.
“It is upon this background that the ministry is organising this National Youth Empowerment Symposium. The event seeks to address information, exposure, mentorship and market linkage gaps that prevent many youths from tapping into available economic opportunities,” said Mr Madzamba.
He added that the ministry plans to cascade similar events to all provinces across the country to ensure no youth is left behind.
“Some 5 000 youths are expected to attend the two-day event, which will feature exhibitions, interactive sessions and masterclasses designed to stimulate business curiosity and provide direct interaction with key economic enablers.
“On day one, there will be exhibitions, interactive sessions and masterclasses. The day will focus on youth-led exhibitions and knowledge-sharing sessions, designed to stimulate business curiosity, motivate action and provide direct interaction with key economic enablers,” said Mr Madzamba.
“A total of 200 youth-led enterprises from across the country will also showcase their innovations, products and services across sectors such as agriculture, ICT, Creative arts, green energy, tourism and manufacturing as part of the youth enterprise exhibitions,” he added further noting that 100 key stakeholders from the private sector, development partner organisations and state agencies will exhibit their youth-related products, services and support opportunities.
“Accomplished entrepreneurs, especially young people who have built thriving businesses, will share their stories, highlighting lessons learnt, sources of resilience and tips for breaking through.
The issue is about youth empowerment and development.
“On the other side, the private sector and Government departments will run thematic sessions detailing opportunities available in their industries and the requirements to access them,” he said.
Mr Madzamba said there would also be information clinics and Government booths as well Government agencies such as Zimra, ZimTrade and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that will offer practical step-by-step guidance on formalising and scaling up of youth businesses.
“Development partners will, on the other side, have the opportunity to outline their existing youth programmes, including grant funding, capacity building, incubation and market access support. The youth participants will be encouraged to directly ask questions and panellists, speakers and experts during moderated question-and-answer sessions, promoting open dialogue and real-time learning.
“In terms of preparations, the youths are ready to meet the President. Several youths are overwhelmingly registering to participate in this big event related to their empowerment and development. It’s indeed pleasing to note how our youths are embracing Government initiatives to do with the development of our great country, Zimbabwe,” he said.
