Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
TEN-YEAR-OLD Credo Samuel Kereke has received a Certificate of Excellence for community development and sports at the inaugural Young Achievers Awards, hosted by UK‑registered charity Ekhaya Skills Centre in partnership with NZVEDAZ Crypto Academy and others.
He received his recognition at the awards event hosted in Harare on Saturday, which highlighted how children can drive national development through advocacy, sports, and cultural ambassadorship towards Vision 2030.
Mini Mr Africa Zimbabwe, Tourism Ambassador, Sports King Credo Samuel Kereke expressed pride in being part of the awards.
He noted his contributions to national development through donations of soccer kits to rural and urban clubs.
“I am proud to take part in the Young Achievers Awards and honoured to be nominated due to the visible change that I have made toward national development,” he said.
“Donating jersey kits to rural soccer clubs and even in Harare shows that I can be the best of myself.”
The ceremony, which honoured outstanding young achievers across categories such as agriculture, technology innovation, music, sports, arts, academics, and entrepreneurship, was meant to inspire youths to contribute meaningfully to Vision 2030.
Credo’s father, Director of Air Force of Zimbabwe projects Group Captain Credo Peacemaker Kereke, said he has been nurturing his child’s public speaking and advocacy projects and linking them to national development goals.
“I am very glad to witness the award that Credo is receiving today, the Certificate of Excellence on his advocacy work, that he’s earned out of the efforts he has personally made,” he said.
“He has grown in leaps and bounds in his confidence, in his advocacy, in his ideas. We are looking forward to still support those efforts so much that he impacts more into the disadvantaged boy child and the girl child.”
Mini Miss Africa Zimbabwe and Joylux Brands CEO Joylene Mazemo highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
“I won a certificate award, and I am going to use this certificate to empower more children doing more entrepreneurship. I want to say to all the youth: you have to also get this certificate, like it or not,” she said.
Tamar Fragrance CEO Tamar Muchineuta underscored the broader meaning of youth achievement for Zimbabwe’s future.
“I believe this is an opportunity for us to showcase what Zimbabwe is really made of, and what it means for tomorrow to be for us, the youth. Let us take an important step in showing how being young and achieving is so important,” she said.
One of the judges, Mr Solom Madzambiri, explained the criteria and the vision behind the awards.
“We are looking at the influence of the young generation on the community, to Zimbabwe at large, and in terms of encouraging others on what they should do as youngsters.
“This event is encouraging these youngsters to uplift their lifestyle so that they become middle-income or upper-middle-income, in line with Vision 2030.”
Another judge, Mr Joshua Mandizha emphasised the global competitiveness of Zimbabwean youth.
“This event has taught us that even our youth can compete at the very highest stage across Africa and across the world,” he said.
“The good thing about this competition is that we have looked at very competitive quality, varieties, and good performing arts.”
