Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MAKONI is set to receive a significant boost in vocational training and youth development, thanks to Government’s initiative to establish a vocational training centre and National Youth Service Training Centre in the district.
The new Eaglesvale Vocational Training Centre will be housed at the existing infrastructure at Inyati Mine, while a satellite centre will be established at Chiwetu in Makoni West.
This move is expected to bring relief to young people in the district who are eager to acquire practical skills in areas like agriculture, carpentry, motor mechanics, and welding.
Moreover, the provincial National Youth Service training centre will relocate from Vumba to Inyati Mine, and the Vumba site will be repurposed as a tourism and hospitality training centre.
This aligns with Government’s vision to empower youths with critical life skills, as outlined in the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
At Inyati Mine, there is vast infrastructure that was left by the defunct mine and once housed Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit before its transfer to Chipinge District.
Member of Parliament for Manicaland Youth Quota, Honourable Stanley Sakupwanya, revealed in an interview that the establishment of the centre aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision of achieving an upper-middle-class economy through a skilled population.
He said this on the sidelines of a tour by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training at Magamba on Monday.
“In Manicaland, we have seven districts, but I would like to highlight that Makoni was the only one without a Vocational Training Centre. We appreciate the Ministry of Youth for establishing Eaglesvale Vocational Training Centre, which will have its main campus at Inyati Mine in Headlands and a satellite centre at Chiwetu in Makoni West.
“Considering the district’s vast size and population, this development is timely. Our youths across the district will benefit from this initiative, which aligns with the President’s Vision 2030. These VTCs don’t just provide training, but also facilitate industrial attachments and job placements.
“During our tour of the Magamba VTC, we gained insight into how these centres operate and improve the lives of young people, especially those who are not academically inclined. Given Manicaland’s shared border with Mozambique, our youths are vulnerable to illicit drugs and substance abuse.
“The rise in drug abuse cases in border towns like Mutare and Chipinge is concerning. However, with these VTCs in place, our youths will be engaged and less likely to indulge in drug abuse,” said Honourable Sakupwanya.
Headlands legislator, Honourable Farai Mapfumo welcomed the new vocational centre, saying it will empower marginalised youths with skills to become productive citizens.
Honourbale Mapfumo appreciated the opportunity for skills development, enabling youths to support themselves and their families.
He noted that the centre will also keep youths busy, preventing idleness and drug abuse.
“A VCT and a youth training centre will go a long way in uplifting the lives of the youths. We are really grateful, and as a constituency we are ready to assist so that this noble initiative comes to fruition. This will keep youths busy and preoccupied with productive issues as opposed to being idle and end up indulging in drugs and other risky behaviours,” said Honourable Mapfumo.
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