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Mashonaland West Bureau
The setting up of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in remote areas is expected to boost rural development in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society.
This was said by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Deputy Minister, Tino Machakaire, while launching the two-day WaMambo Sports Tournament at Kenzamba Business Centre in Makonde Constituency over the weekend.
Deputy Minister Machakaire said the Government was establishing VTCs across the country to empower youths.
The third edition of the sports tournament is a brainchild of area legislator and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Kindness Paradza.
Said Deputy Minister Machakaire: “My ministry’s vision is to see an empowered youth, and excelling sport, arts and recreation industries by 2030.
“The ministry is currently seized with the current transformation of VTCs through entrepreneurship development and ensuring the equitable establishment of VTCs.”
Deputy Ministry Machakaire bemoaned the unavailability of VTCs in the constituency and most rural areas, and called on councils to avail land to the ministry for the setting up of a training centre.
“It is my high expectation that the ministry would establish one VTC in this constituency soonest. We are also calling on Makonde Rural District Council to avail piece of land for the construction of a VTC here in Makonde,” he added.
The Second Republic has come up with a number economic empowerment initiatives for youths including the setting up of EmpowerBank, to promote employment creation and self-reliance.
EmpowerBank was launched by President Mnangagwa in 2019.
Turning to sports, Deputy Minister Machakaire said the Government was committed to promoting sport and recreation for the well-being of youth, women and girls in line with the National Development Strategy 1.
He said the ministry was now focusing on promoting organised programmes from village to provincial level.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Paradza said apart from physical fitness, the tournament was meant to campaign for President Mnangagwa ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
The tournament was also targeted at fighting drug and substance abuse by people.
“The President is calling on youths to be responsible and desist from drug abuse and focus on national development,” he said.
Sixteen netball and football teams drawn from the constituency’s 10 Wards battled for honours with winners walking away with cash prizes and food hampers.
Youths from the constituency lauded the tournament as an initiative that promotes togetherness, fights drug abuse and helps identify talent in them.
“We are appreciative of this tournament. This will go a long way in identifying local talent, fighting substance and drug abuse and promoting unity,” said 20-year-old Zvainzana Chada from Gambuli.
Zanu PF provincial youth secretary for administration, Cde Rudo Munyonga, encouraged youths to vote for President Mnangagwa during the 2023 harmonised elections.
Online Reporter