daniel chigunwe
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
A 28-year-old Kadoma youth has set up a technical college to empower Kadoma youths with skills to earn a living by offering hands-on and practical disciplines.
A holder Bachelor of Education degree in Youth Development Studies, Andrew Mugabe has seen it fit to invest his knowledge in the tertiary education sector targeting youths who are able to support the National Development Strategies and Vision 2030.
Mr Mugabe is also a founder of the ABLE community-based organisation, a Zanu PF member and head of finance for MenBelievED Mashonaland West Chapter.
He has received praise from the community for setting up the college for youths who have become the main target of drug peddlers.
His contribution, has not been in vain to over 50 youths who graduated with certificates at the institution last week.
Emmaculate Matiza who graduated with a certificate in cosmetology believes the skills she acquired would financially equip her. She wants to establish a beauty salon where she intends to create employment opportunities to fellow women in the town.
“Young women here are vulnerable to abuse. As a way of supporting them, I intend to open a beauty parlour where I will employ some. I want to use the skill that I have learnt at the college to become an entrepreneur and not to look for a job,” she said.
Another youth, Saviours Magonza, who graduated with a national certificate in electrical engineering is also optimistic of turning around the fortunes of his family. Saviours is eyeing the growing Kadoma town to offer his service as people construct houses. His skill is essential in the installation of electricity at homes and other buildings.
Others graduated with courses in tourism and hospitality, welding and fabrication, carpentry, garment construction, and horticulture under the Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO).
Mr Mugabe said he established the college after realising the dire need and highest levels of unemployment in Kadoma and surrounding areas.
“The college is mainly targeting those youths who failed to make it through to the secondary level. We have an enrolment of about 200-250 students per year and, as an institution, we are grateful that we are also playing a part in taking youths off the streets where they are now targets of drug lords,” he said.
The first-ever graduation ceremony ran under the theme: “Promoting industrialisation through skills.”
Young Woman in Business founder, Dr Aphia Musavengana encouraged young women who graduated to work in building Zimbabwe.
The event was also attended by guests including officials from the Zimbabwe Defence Industries among other organisations.
Online Reporter