Youth Service nurtures patriotic citizens

Lovemore Kadzura

Mutare Bureau

The rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme is crucial for training and nurturing patriotic citizens, equipping them with essential life skills to contribute to the development of their nation, a Cabinet minister has said.

Speaking at a pass-out parade for 252 female youths at Vumba Youth Training Centre in Mutare, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said the Government was committed to empowering the youth.

Cabinet had approved the Youth Empowerment Strategy, which positions graduates of the Youth Service at the forefront of the nation’s economic development.

Minister Machakaire said graduates from the Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ) would be prioritised for employment in Government departments and would have access to loans from EmpowerBank to kickstart their projects.

“The graduates are now equipped to be peer educators, community mobilisers and role models. The ministry counts on you to be the voice of reason and the helping hand for those still trapped in drug addiction,” he said.

The minister highlighted the importance of the programme in nurturing responsible and resilient citizens, expecting to see the positive impact of this training as graduates return to their communities.

“I am also pleased to note that the graduates acquired practical entrepreneurial skills and knowledge through income-generating projects such as market gardening, piggery, free-range poultry rearing, and banana and coffee production,” he added.

The graduates were attached to vocational training centres, where they provided voluntary services, performing their duties with enthusiasm, diligence, and discipline, said Minister Machakaire.

“This reflects the effectiveness of the training and the readiness of these young women to make meaningful contributions to their communities, aligning with our national development goals as outlined in Vision 2030,” he said.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who was represented at the event by Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, the provincial director of economic affairs, said the empowerment of youths in the province through training, loans, and agricultural equipment has transformed their lives.

“When our youths are empowered with opportunity and guidance, they rise to meet the nation’s expectations. In a world where many young people face challenges of unemployment, drug abuse, early marriages, and lack of direction, these graduates stand out as shining examples of what commitment and discipline can achieve,” said Advocate Mugadza.

He mentioned recent initiatives, including the distribution of nine brand-new tractors to the youths of Manicaland and the upcoming opening of 55 village youth shops across the province, which will stock basic commodities for local communities.

Advocate Mugadza also noted that 70 youths received heifers under the Presidential Heifer Pass-On scheme.

“Over 1 000 youths have benefited from loans from EmpowerBank to start businesses. I encourage these graduates to approach the bank to access these loans and venture into income-generating projects,” he said.

The Munhumutapa Economic Empowerment drive in Makoni district trained thousands of youths to access farmland and capital for enterprise development. In addition, in Chipinge, 45 youths are now proud owners of residential stands under the Presidential Housing Scheme.