Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube- Matutu, [email protected]
EMPOWERED and equipped with skills, discipline and a renewed sense of purpose, youths who graduated from the Guyu Youth Service in Zimbabwe Training Centre in Gwanda yesterday said the programme had given them the tools to play a meaningful role in nation building.
For some graduates, the training represented much more than a path to skills development. It was a lifeline. They said the training, mentorship and structured environment at Guyu had helped them break away from destructive lifestyles and given them a fresh start.
The programme provided them with an opportunity to rebuild their confidence, develop practical skills and rediscover their purpose at a time when drug and substance abuse is threatening the future of many young people.
A total of 1 547 youths from all 10 provinces graduated from the centre on Friday with 1 114 males and 433 females. The graduates were drawn from Intakes 1 and 2 of 2026.
Of the graduates, 762 attended the ceremony while 785 graduated in absentia.
Guyu Youth Training Centre resumed youth training last year after nearly two decades following its rehabilitation by Government. A total of 11 503 youths have now graduated from the centre.
The Second Republic has entrusted the Youth Service in Zimbabwe with the responsibility of grooming young people into patriotic, disciplined, responsible and resilient citizens equipped with relevant skills to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The programme combines civic education and national orientation with practical activities including foot drills, sporting disciplines, arts and culture, providing a holistic approach to youth development.
For some young people, the programme has also emerged as an important intervention in the fight against drug and substance abuse by providing structure, discipline and alternative pathways to idleness.
Matabeleland South provincial centre head responsible for youth service training, Ms Mildred Nembahe, said the programme had a critical role to play in keeping young people away from destructive lifestyles.
“Over the years, the institution has successfully trained and graduated 9 423 youths, excluding three intakes that have trained 2 080 youths after the programme was rebranded in 2024 to what today is the Youth Service in Zimbabwe training programme,” she said.
Seventeen-year-old Pride Moyo from Bulawayo, who was named the best student in physical education, said the training had opened her eyes to the responsibility young people carry in developing the country.
“At the age of 17, I’m already empowered with skills and knowledge. Right now, my focus is on becoming an entrepreneur so that I can create employment. During our training, we were educated on our country and what it means to be a youth in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“As youth, we account for most of the population and that means that we have to take charge of developing our country.”
For 23-year-old Tadiwa Chitauro from Harare, who received an award for outstanding performance, the experience boosted his confidence while instilling values he believes will guide him throughout his life.
He said the training had taught him discipline, punctuality and patriotism, while also helping him understand his identity and responsibilities as a young Zimbabwean.
“One of the major things that we were taught is our identity and history as a nation. As a person, you can’t serve your country if you don’t know who you are and if you don’t know the history of your country.” said Chitauro.
“These are some of the things that we often, as youth, think are for the elderly. The Youth Service helps you to know the important things in life.”
Speaking during the pass-out parade, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the Youth Service in Zimbabwe remained an important platform for cultivating responsible and productive citizens.
He said the programme was not merely about completing a training course, but about transforming young people through discipline, education, skills development, patriotism and a renewed sense of responsibility.
“This occasion allows us to celebrate the achievements of our young people and reflect on the important role that youth development plays in the progress of our nation.
“Today, we are not merely celebrating the completion of a training programme; we are celebrating the transformation of young Zimbabweans through discipline, education, skills development, patriotism and a renewed sense of responsibility towards their communities and country,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said young people were not merely beneficiaries of development, but active participants and agents of transformation.
He said the province remained committed to creating opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills, develop their talents, pursue productive livelihoods and participate meaningfully in the development of their communities.
Minister Nguluvhe commended the graduates for their participation in the development of the Guyu and Sezhubane communities and urged them to become ambassadors of discipline, patriotism, hard work, integrity and unity.
