His Excellency President Mnangagwa officially opened the Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe yesterday which will offer different programmes meant to empower the youth in rural areas.
Running under the theme ‘Empower Youth, Secure the Future’, the President said Vocational Centres are meant to empower youths.
“This vocational center seeks to build future leaders to start their own businesses and it is the 2nd Republic Agenda to empower the youth of this country,” said His Excellency.
The Training Centre will offer various skills and has the following projects: Fishery, Poultry.
In addition, it now has a computer lab with 100 laptops donated by His Excellency President Mnangagwa, a solar-powered Borehole system, and 1 hectare of land for horticulture.
Speaking at the launch he said, “We as your elders we shall continue to equip you with critical thinking and problem solving with new skills of development.
“We want the youth to access education so that they actively participate in the development of our motherland, and this must meet our present means of our society and the economy.
President Mnangagwa said his government will work tirelessly to ensure that the plight of youths is heard and the development of the new legislature, the National Youth Act.
“Dear comrades I commend this forum which provides a platform for us the government to hear the ideas, opinions from you the young people of our country.
“And such interactions gives insights into challenges you are facing and intervention which my government should make to ensure youth development so that they contribute to our national, social and economic development.
“The development of the National Youth Act will be prioritised as it will legislate and promote Youth Empowerment, development and participation more effectively,” he said.
His Excellency President Mnangagwa said his government is more than ready to assist in installing 35 000 Village Business Units in villages across the country in a move that is meant to assist people during drought season.
The Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Fisheries Dr Anxious Masuka concurred with the President that each of the 35 000 village business units is expected to generate 10 000USD a year.
President Mnangagwa called on the youths to desist from abusing drugs and that his government is quickly developing the ICT system so that the youth are equipped with the relevant skills.
“We need a fast-developing ICT system to quickly change our young people to be prepped with relevant skills.
“As such my government continues to promote science, technology, engineering, innovations, mathematics as well as improve the understanding of technology, ” he said.
The Minister of Youth Services Hon T Machakaire applauded his Excellency for his role in youth development.
“The interaction with you assures the youth your commitment to their development goals, the youth remain grateful for championing viable and tangible youth developments empowering initiatives that are aimed at enabling our nation to attain an upper Middle-Class society by 2030, “he said.
The Dairy board Company of Zimbabwe donated 20 Dairyboard carts and 3 scoters to Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre as a start-up package for this Business unit in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe.
The event was graced by the Vice President Rtd Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi, cabinet Ministers and government officials.
Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
