Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi [email protected]
TWELVE-YEAR-old Lista Moyo and her 13-year-old sister, Angela, from Nhwalili Village in Insiza District, were among the hundreds who graduated from Matabeleland South Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) after completing a short course in baking.
The two girls, who live with their grandmother, have already put their newly acquired skills to use. They are now running a small baking business, producing buns and bread that their grandmother sells within the community.
Lista and Angela were trained under an outreach programme run by Phangani Vocational Training Centre. The siblings, who are in Grades Six and Seven respectively, said they are determined to grow their skills and one day become professional bakers with their own company.
Their grandmother, Gogo Sinikiwe Moyo (67), said watching her grandchildren become productive at such a young age has brought her relief.
“I learnt about the skills development outreach programme and saw it fit to enrol my two grandchildren. I have a poultry project, and I used the money I earned from selling chickens to pay for their classes and buy their ingredients,” she said.
Gogo Moyo said she is encouraged by how quickly the girls mastered baking.
“They sometimes go to their learning facility to bake and then bring back their products, which I sell on their behalf.
My desire is to secure proper baking utensils for them so they can bake from home,” she said.
Gogo Moyo added that equipping young people with practical skills is vital in keeping them occupied and away from activities that could derail their future.
“These skills will help them continue developing their talent while they learn,” she said.
A total of 443 students graduated from five vocational training centres in Matabeleland South: Phangani VTC, Avoca VTC, Esigodini VTC, Guyu VTC and St Mary’s Lutumba VTC. Of these, 171 were female and 272 male.
They completed courses in brick and block laying, carpentry and joinery, clothing and textiles technology, hospitality and tourism, motor mechanics, metal fabrication, fitting and turning, horticulture, cosmetology and electrical engineering, including solar installation.
This year’s provincial grand graduation ceremony — the second edition — ran under the theme: “Innovate, Digitalise, Enterprise Training and Skills Development Combating Drug and Substance Abuse.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, said it was encouraging to see young people embracing Government-led skills development initiatives that promote self-employment and job creation. He commended Phangani VTC for its outreach efforts.
“Vocational training is not merely an educational endeavour; it is a crucial pathway for imparting essential entrepreneurship and technical skills to our communities. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Human Capital
Development agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1),” said Minister Machakaire.
“Moreover, vocational training and skills development play a vital role in addressing pressing social issues, such as drug and substance abuse. By providing guidance and counselling services alongside technical skills training, we can offer our youth alternative avenues for personal growth and economic empowerment.”
Phangani VTC head, Mr. Hilton Moyo, said their outreach programme, launched last year, targets young people aged 15 and above. So far, the centre has trained 54 youths in Nhwalili and Bucks and 174 in Wanezi.
He said training areas include detergent making, baking, welding, food preparation and brick and block laying.
“We have set up a training satellite point and engaged our former trainees to teach and equip their communities. We are targeting individuals between 15 and 35 years old. These two youngsters who graduated today are the youngest we have trained so far,” said Mr Moyo
“When their grandmother approached us seeking training for them, we did not turn them away because it is similar to any form of education — empowering them with knowledge. Little did we know they were so keen and would put the skills to use in such a meaningful way.”—@DubeMatutu
