Young leader drives empowerment, leadership

Youth leadership, entrepreneurship and community development have become defining pillars for a new generation of African change-makers. Among those making an impact is 20-year-old Ambassador Ishe Angel (IA), a youth senator in the Zimbabwe Junior Parliament, African Union ambassador under the Pan African Union Youth Parliament, chief executive officer of Prolific Nation International Holdings, and founder of the Ishe Angel Foundation. Through his leadership roles, mentorship programmes and youth initiatives, Amb Angel has dedicated himself to empowering young people, promoting responsible leadership, entrepreneurship and community transformation. In this interview with The Herald, he speaks to Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo (YKC) about his journey, achievements and vision for Zimbabwe’s youth.

YKC: You hold several leadership positions at a relatively young age. What inspired you to dedicate your life to youth empowerment and leadership development?

IS: My passion for youth empowerment and leadership development stems from a deep personal conviction that every young person carries greatness within them, but not every young person is afforded the opportunity, guidance, or environment necessary to unlock that greatness. Throughout my journey, I have encountered brilliant, talented, and visionary young people whose dreams were hindered by poverty, lack of mentorship, social challenges, and limited access to opportunities.

These experiences ignited within me a drive to become part of the solution. I realised that leadership is not merely about occupying positions or receiving titles; it is about creating pathways for others to succeed.

I am inspired by the belief that empowered youths become catalysts for social transformation. They become entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and community builders. Therefore, my life’s mission is to ensure that as many young people as possible discover their purpose, maximise their potential, and become impactful leaders in society.

YKC: As a youth senator in the Junior Parliament, what are some of the key issues affecting Zimbabwean youths that require urgent attention?

IA: Zimbabwean youths are confronted by numerous complex and interrelated challenges that require immediate and strategic interventions. Foremost among these is unemployment and limited economic opportunities. Many young people possess academic qualifications and skills, yet they struggle to secure meaningful employment or access resources to start businesses.

Drug and substance abuse has also become one of the most pressing social challenges affecting young people. It is destroying lives, families, and communities while robbing the nation of productive citizens. Additionally, mental health challenges among young people are increasingly becoming a silent crisis that deserves greater attention, awareness, and support systems.

Other urgent concerns include limited access to quality education, inadequate skills development opportunities, teenage pregnancies, child marriages, cybercrime, and insufficient youth participation in decision-making processes.

Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts involving government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, development partners, and young people themselves. Sustainable youth development can only be achieved when young people are actively involved in designing solutions to the challenges they face.

YKC: How are you using your position to influence policies and programmes that benefit young people?

IA: I firmly believe that leadership should produce tangible results and not simply remain symbolic. As a youth senator, I utilise my platform to amplify the voices of young people and advocate for policies that are responsive to their realities and aspirations.

I engage with young people at the grassroots level to understand their concerns, aspirations, and challenges. Through these engagements, I am able to represent their interests in leadership spaces and policy discussions. I also organise and participate in leadership forums, youth dialogues, mentorship programmes, and community development initiatives that seek to empower young people socially, economically, and intellectually.

Beyond advocacy, I focus on implementation by creating practical opportunities through initiatives such as leadership summits, mentorship programmes, entrepreneurship platforms, and humanitarian interventions. I believe effective leadership requires moving beyond policy conversations to delivering measurable impact in communities.

My objective is to ensure that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development but active participants and partners in shaping policies and programmes that affect their lives.

YKC: What does effective youth leadership look like in today’s Zimbabwe?

IA: Effective youth leadership in today’s Zimbabwe is leadership that is visionary, ethical, innovative, inclusive, and service-driven. The challenges confronting our nation require leaders who possess not only passion but also competence, integrity, resilience, and the ability to mobilise others towards a common purpose.

An effective youth leader is someone who leads by example, remains accountable, and prioritises service above self-interest. Such leaders inspire hope, provide solutions to societal challenges, and create opportunities for others.

In today’s rapidly changing world, youth leadership must also embrace technology, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and global citizenship. Young leaders must be adaptable, continuously learning, and willing to collaborate across sectors and generations.

YKC: Many young people struggle with unemployment and limited opportunities. What practical solutions do you advocate for?

IA: Addressing youth unemployment requires a paradigm shift from dependency to productivity and innovation. While formal employment remains important, it is no longer sufficient as the sole pathway to economic empowerment.

I strongly advocate for entrepreneurship development, vocational and technical skills training, digital literacy, innovation, and enterprise development. Young people must be equipped with practical skills that respond to current market demands and emerging industries.

There is also an urgent need for accessible youth financing mechanisms, business incubation hubs, mentorship programmes, and policies that support youth-owned enterprises. Governments and private sector institutions must intentionally create enabling environments that nurture innovation and entrepreneurship.

Agriculture, agribusiness, technology, renewable energy, tourism, manufacturing, and the creative economy present significant opportunities for young people. With the right support systems, mentorship, and access to capital, young people can transition from being job seekers to becoming job creators.

YKC: Through the Ishe Angel Foundation, what projects have had the greatest impact on communities?

IA: Through the Ishe Angel Foundation, we have implemented several initiatives aimed at restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity to vulnerable communities. Among our most impactful projects have been our winter clothing donation campaigns, which have provided warmth and relief to vulnerable individuals and families during harsh winter seasons.

Our food distribution programmes have also had a profound impact by supporting families facing food insecurity, particularly in underserved communities. These interventions have not only addressed immediate needs but have also strengthened social solidarity and compassion.

Another significant initiative has been the distribution of sanitary wear to vulnerable girls. Period poverty remains a major challenge affecting many young girls, often resulting in school absenteeism and reduced self-esteem. By providing sanitary products, we are helping safeguard the dignity, health, and educational continuity of the girl child.

Beyond material support, our mentorship and leadership development programmes continue to have a lasting impact by empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence, values, and leadership skills necessary for personal and societal transformation.

YKC: Can you share specific success stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed through your initiatives?

IA: One of the most inspiring moments in our journey came through a prefects’ leadership training programme hosted by my company. Through the generosity and support of my spiritual father, Ambassador Prophet Uebert Angel, more than US$100 000 was donated towards students’ school fees throughout the academic term. This intervention enabled numerous students, who would otherwise have been unable to continue their education, to remain in school and pursue their dreams.

Through our Backpack of Hope initiative, many underprivileged children have received school bags, stationery, and educational materials. For many of these children, receiving educational support represented far more than material assistance—it restored confidence, dignity, and hope for a brighter future.

Additionally, through our mentorship programmes, we have witnessed many young people who once lacked direction becoming community leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and role models within their communities. Seeing lives transformed from hopelessness to purpose remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of our work.

YKC: What challenges are charitable and youth-focused organisations facing in Zimbabwe?

IA: Charitable and youth-focused organisations in Zimbabwe operate within a challenging environment characterised by limited financial resources, increasing social needs, and economic constraints. Funding limitations remain one of the greatest obstacles, often affecting programme sustainability and expansion.

Many organisations also struggle with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to remote communities, and insufficient technical capacity. The increasing demand for humanitarian assistance and youth services often exceeds available resources.

Another challenge is sustainability. Many organisations rely heavily on donor funding, making long-term planning difficult.

There is therefore a need for innovative resource mobilisation strategies, stronger partnerships, and increased investment in local philanthropy.

Despite these challenges, youth-focused organisations continue to play an indispensable role in complementing national development efforts and empowering communities.

YKC: What role should young people play in community development and nation-building?

IA: Young people are not merely the future of the nation—they are active stakeholders in the present. Their role in community development and nation-building cannot be overstated.

Young people must actively participate in civic engagement, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, peacebuilding, innovation, and policy advocacy. They should become solution providers rather than spectators.

The energy, creativity, and resilience of young people position them uniquely to address many of society’s challenges. By harnessing these attributes, young people can significantly contribute towards sustainable development, social cohesion, and economic growth.

Nation-building is a collective responsibility, and meaningful youth participation is essential for creating a prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive Zimbabwe.

YKC: Who have been the biggest influences in your leadership journey?

IA: Leadership is never developed in isolation; it is shaped by mentors, experiences, values, and the examples set by others. Among the individuals who have had the greatest influence on my leadership journey are Uebert Angel and Minister Felix Mhona.

Ambassador Prophet Uebert Angel has profoundly influenced my understanding of visionary leadership, philanthropy, and excellence. Beyond his global recognition as a spiritual leader, what inspires me most is his unwavering commitment to transforming lives through humanitarian interventions. His ability to combine spirituality, leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy has taught me that true leadership is measured by impact. His generosity, particularly in supporting education, community development, and vulnerable populations, has significantly shaped my passion for humanitarian service and youth empowerment. Through his example, I have learnt that leadership should not merely inspire people through words, but should transform lives through action.

Then Hon Felix Mhona is more than a distinguished Minister, to me he is my father, mentor, and greatest inspiration. He exemplifies leadership built on responsibility, integrity, and service, understanding that true leadership is not about power, but about the responsibility to serve and uplift others. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to the people continue to shape my own leadership journey. As I grow in public service, I aspire to follow in his footsteps and uphold the values and principles he has consistently demonstrated.

Equally, Zari The Boss Lady has been a remarkable source of inspiration in my journey. I admire her resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial excellence.

Beyond these personalities, my leadership journey has also been shaped by the communities I serve, the young people whose lives I encounter daily, and the challenges I have experienced personally. Every life touched, every challenge overcome, and every testimony of transformation continues to shape and refine my leadership philosophy.

YKC: What motivates you to continue serving despite the demands of your various responsibilities?

IA: At the heart of everything I do is a deep sense of purpose. I believe leadership is a calling to serve and a responsibility to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This understanding continually motivates me to keep serving despite the demands, sacrifices, and challenges that leadership often requires.

What motivates me most is witnessing transformation. There is no greater fulfilment than seeing a young person discover their purpose, return to school, secure an opportunity, overcome adversity, or emerge as a leader after receiving mentorship and support. Every testimony, every success story, and every life changed reminds me that the work we do matters.

I am also motivated by the understanding that positions and titles are temporary, but impact is eternal. Long after titles have passed, what remains is the difference we made in people’s lives. I therefore strive to ensure that every platform entrusted to me becomes an instrument for service, empowerment, and transformation.

Furthermore, my faith, my values, and my vision for a better Zimbabwe and Africa continue to inspire me. I dream of an Africa where every young person has access to opportunities, mentorship, and the ability to realise their full potential. That vision keeps me going even during difficult moments because I understand that leadership is not always convenient, but it is always necessary.

YKC: What legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?

IC: I aspire to leave a legacy of transformational leadership, servant leadership, and sustainable impact. I want to be remembered not merely for the positions I held, but for the lives I touched, the opportunities I created, and the leaders I raised.

My greatest desire is to build institutions, platforms, and movements that will continue empowering young people long after my lifetime. I want future generations to inherit systems that promote leadership, entrepreneurship, education, and social justice.

Ultimately, I hope to be remembered as a leader who dedicated his life to serving humanity, inspiring hope, and raising a generation of ethical, visionary, and compassionate leaders who will continue building a stronger Zimbabwe and a stronger Africa.