Mthokozisi Ncube
YOUTH-LED organisation Ray of Hope is equipping young people in Bulawayo with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge to help them establish income-generating projects and become economically independent.
The organisation hosted a Youth Empowerment Symposium in Bulawayo on Saturday, bringing together young people aged between 18 and 30 for training and discussions on poultry production, backyard agriculture, technical careers and financial opportunities.
The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods while steering young people away from drug and substance abuse, crime and violence.
Ray of Hope founder and director Mthandazo JJ Ncube said the symposium sought to equip young people with practical skills that could help them become self-reliant.
“In a nutshell, it was a youth empowerment symposium, more especially setting up or believing that an empowered youth stays away from drugs and substance abuse, crime and violence. We are just handing them skills for their growth,” he said.
Participants explored opportunities in poultry production, with discussions focusing on how young entrepreneurs could penetrate the market, attract customers and make their businesses competitive.
Ncube said success in poultry farming required more than simply raising broiler chickens, as young entrepreneurs also needed to understand marketing and customer relations.
“It is not all about raising broilers, but how do you make sure that people buy from you and not from the next person?” he said.
The symposium also highlighted backyard agriculture as an accessible business opportunity for young people without access to large pieces of land.
Participants were encouraged to start small horticultural projects using between five and 10 planting beds, growing crops such as chomolia, tsunga, onions and carrots before gradually expanding their operations.
Ncube also urged aspiring farmers to embrace value addition by improving the packaging and presentation of their produce to make it more appealing to customers.
EmpowerBank representatives were invited to outline financial products and opportunities available to young people seeking to establish or expand businesses.
Health organisation Izimpho Zabantu also participated, offering consultations and free screening services, including blood sugar, blood pressure and syphilis tests, as well as eye screening.
Ncube said the symposium was part of Ray of Hope’s broader commitment to providing young people with the knowledge and opportunities needed to improve their livelihoods.
Through the initiative, the organisation hopes to foster entrepreneurship, self-reliance and meaningful youth participation in community development.
