Oliver Kazunga Senior Reporter ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to harness its youthful population as an engine of economic growth, with thousands of young people expected to converge in Harare this week for a national symposium focusing on turning skills, innovation and entrepreneurial ideas into jobs and sustainable businesses. The two-day Youth Empowerment Symposium, running from Wednesday to Thursday, comes as the country pursues economic transformation under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, with young people expected to play a central role in driving productivity, industrialisation and wealth creation. Director of communication and advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mr Ranson Madzamba said the gathering would provide a platform for advancing skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and youth participation in national development. “The Youth Empowerment Symposium provides an opportunity to connect youth development with the broader economic transformation agenda under NDS2 and Vision 2030,” he said. “When young people acquire the capacity to create businesses, develop innovations and participate in industry, they become drivers of employment creation, productivity and national wealth. Investing in youth is, therefore, an investment in Zimbabwe’s long-term economic competitiveness.” At the heart of the discussions is the need to bridge the gap between education, vocational training and employment. While academic qualifications remain important, the changing demands of the economy increasingly require practical competencies that enable young people to participate in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, technology and other productive sectors. The Government believes training institutions must establish stronger links with employers, financial institutions and markets so that young people graduate with skills that respond to actual economic opportunities. “Young people need more than certificates; they need skills that are in demand, opportunities to gain practical experience, business development support and accessible funding mechanisms. This is how empowerment becomes measurable economic participation,” Mr Madzamba said. Entrepreneurship is another important pillar of the strategy, particularly in an economy where expanding opportunities for young people require more than conventional employment pathways. Supporting young innovators to develop viable business ideas, access finance, benefit from mentorship and reach markets, he added, could help transform innovation into enterprises that create employment for others. There is an ongoing push for young people to be active participants in policymaking and programme implementation. Mr Madzamba also said youth empowerment programmes must go beyond major urban centres and reach rural communities, marginalised areas and persons with disabilities, ensuring that opportunities are accessible across the country. Unemployment, drug and substance abuse, mental health pressures, gender-based violence and challenges associated with the digital environment are considered by the Government as challenges that require coordinated responses involving families, communities, schools, the Government and the private sector. Mentorship, career guidance, business incubation and access to technology are among the interventions targeted to help young people build resilience and identify productive opportunities. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s participation in the continental YouthConnekt Africa process is expected to broaden opportunities for local entrepreneurs and innovators. The 2026 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, scheduled for November 25 to 27 in Rwanda, will bring together young people, policymakers, investors and development partners to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and financial inclusion. Zimbabwe is currently competing with Zambia to host the 2027 edition of the continental gathering. Hosting the summit would provide an opportunity to showcase local innovations and strengthen connections with investors, businesses and development partners across Africa. However, the ministry believes the value of such engagements must extend beyond international visibility. “The objective should be to convert partnerships and continental connections into investment opportunities, market access, knowledge exchange and practical benefits for Zimbabwean youth,” said Mr Madzamba.

Sekai Manyere in GOKWE GOVERNMENT, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and Uncommon.Org, has launched an Artificial Intelligence, Digital and Innovation Hub at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Gokwe North. Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tinoda Machakaire, who was represented by Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupanhanga, said the hub would provide young people in rural communities with access to digital skills, artificial intelligence, coding, innovation and opportunities in the digital economy. “The launch is more than the opening of a training facility,” he said. “It opens the gateway through which young people in rural Zimbabwe can access digital skills, artificial intelligence, coding, innovation, and the opportunities of the digital economy.” In a speech read on his behalf, Minister Machakaire said the facility was the first AI Digital Innovation Hub established by the ministry in a rural area, adding that its location in Gokwe North was deliberate. “Zimbabwe’s digital transformation must not be confined to our cities and urban centres. “It must reach our villages and rural communities so that no young person is left behind because of where they live,” he said. The hub has already enrolled 52 young people from Gokwe North who have commenced lessons. “To our 52 pioneer learners, this hub belongs to you. As the first cohort, you have been given an opportunity that many before you did not have. I urge you not to come merely to obtain certificates, but to acquire skills that can transform your lives,” he said. Minister Machakaire said the initiative came at a time when Zimbabwe was seeking to address youth unemployment and inactivity. He said approximately 49,2 percent of young people were not in education, employment or training, according to the 2025 ZimCET survey. The Minister explained that the national target is to reduce this proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training from 49,2 percent to 15 percent by 2030. He urged development partners, the private sector and communities to support similar initiatives. “One hub is an important beginning, but it cannot be the end; we need more partnerships, more young people trained, more rural communities connected to the digital economy,” said Minister Machakaire. UNDP resident representative Dr Ayodele Odusola said the project was designed as an opportunity platform to generate employment, entrepreneurship and locally relevant solutions. “Success of what we are doing today is not measured by the number of computers that have been installed, but the capabilities that are going to emerge from here, including the employment opportunities that are going to be created, the entrepreneurs that are going to be trained and the locally relevant solutions that are going to be introduced to address challenges that are facing our communities across Zimbabwe,” he said. He said digital innovation should reach communities across the country rather than remain concentrated in urban centres. “Access to digital innovation cannot be limited to all our major urban centres, but it should be something that is accessible to all communities across all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe,” he said. Dr Odusola said the next phase would focus on expanding skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation. “Today’s commissioning is just the beginning; it’s not an end, so the next phase is for us to move from infrastructure to utilisation and also moving to expanding skills, innovating, training entrepreneurs and generating jobs,” he said. UNDP funded the renovation of the facility and procurement of 32 laptops, interactive boards and other equipment, while the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services provided 20 additional laptops. Uncommon.Org deployed instructors to support the programme. Director Michelle Gwatiringa said the project demonstrated that innovation belonged to every community. “Together, we are demonstrating that innovation is not confined to our cities, but it belongs to every community across Zimbabwe,” she said.

Ranson Madzamba Thousands of young people are expected to converge in Harare for a Youth Empowerment Symposium to run from the 4th to the 5th of November this year. The symposium comes at a time when empowering young people with practical skills, knowledge and opportunities has become increasingly important in addressing unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and preparing the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the country’s social and economic transformation and as contained in the National Development Strategy 2. The gathering is expected to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds, alongside key stakeholders to deliberate on opportunities for economic advancement, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and youth participation in national development. By convening thousands of youths under one roof, the event provides an opportunity to create a shared platform where young people can engage with national leadership, exchange ideas and explore practical solutions to the challenges affecting their economic well-being. Well, beyond the speeches and formal proceedings, the symposium presents an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between young people and institutions responsible for youth empowerment and development. Such an engagement helps in ensuring that programmes and policies respond to the aspirations, needs and lived experiences of the country’s youth. The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, the organising ministry, has a central role in advancing initiatives that equip young people with relevant vocational skills, promote self-reliance and connect them to opportunities in the changing economic environment. Vocational training in particular remains an important pathway for young people seeking practical competencies that can be applied in formal employment, entrepreneurship and community-based enterprises. The symposium will indeed provide a platform to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship as a means of expanding economic participation. Our young people can be better positioned to turn innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises only if they have access to mentorship, business development support, financial literacy and appropriate funding mechanisms. Equally significant is the need to ensure that young people in rural communities, persons with disabilities and other groups who may face barriers to opportunities are included in empowerment initiatives. Inclusive participation helps in broadening the reach of skills development and economic opportunities. The gathering thus reinforces the importance of viewing young people not merely as future leaders, but as active partners in national development today. At a time when young people face challenges ranging from unemployment and limited economic opportunities to drug and substance abuse, mental health concerns and a rapidly changing digital landscape, the symposium offers an important space for dialogue, learning and collective problem-solving. It is an investment in human capital, leadership development and the creation of a generation equipped to navigate emerging challenges while identifying opportunities for growth. However, the significance of the symposium will ultimately be measured not only by the number of participants to attend, but also by the practical outcomes to follow. Commitments to be made during the gathering will be translated into sustained programmes that include mentorship, business incubation, career guidance and pathways to employment. Effective follow-up mechanisms will definitely be essential in ensuring that the discussions produce tangible benefits for young people. One of the key benefits of hosting the symposium is that it gives young people a platform to express their aspirations, concerns and expectations. Their participation ensures that conversations about youth development are informed by the realities they experience, rather than decisions being made without their input. It is indeed true that, anything for the youths without the youths is not for the youths. The event is crucial in nurturing leadership qualities, critical thinking, public speaking and decision-making skills. Through discussions and mentorship sessions the participants can gain practical knowledge that prepares them to assume leadership roles in their schools, workplaces, businesses and communities. The symposium connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced businesspeople, financial institutions and potential mentors. These connections help turn ideas into viable enterprises, create employment opportunities and encourage young people to become active contributors to economic growth. The event further promotes innovation by encouraging participants to explore technology-driven solutions to challenges in agriculture, education, healthcare, environmental protection and service delivery. Such an engagement helps in positioning young people not merely as beneficiaries of development programmes, but as innovators and partners in finding solutions. Beyond economic issues, the symposium provides an avenue for addressing social challenges affecting young people. Open and constructive discussions on drug and substance abuse, mental health, peer pressure, gender-based violence and responsible decision-making help participants access reliable information and identify support systems within their communities. The event is coming at a time when the country is currently planning to be part of the 2026 YouthConnekt Africa Summit to be held from the 25th to the 27th of November in Rwanda. Zimbabwe is in the bidding race with Zambia to host the 2027 YouthConnekt Africa Summit. The winner would be announced during the 2026 YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Rwanda. YouthConnekt Africa is a continental platform established to connect young people to economic opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, financial inclusion, mentorship and policy dialogue. The initiative was pioneered by the Government of Rwanda in 2012 and has since grown into a Pan-African movement supported by the African Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Development Partners and African Governments. The YouthConnekt Africa Summit is a flagship annual gathering of youth leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, investors, academia and private sector from across the continent. The summit provides a platform for showcasing innovations, sharing best practices, fostering partnerships and advancing youth development agendas. Zimbabwe has been an active participant in YouthConnekt Africa Summit activities and has consistently demonstrated commitment towards youth empowerment interventions. n Ranson Madzamba is the Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and vocational Training.

Emmanuel Kafe and Sekai Manyere ZIMBABWE has intensified its bid to host the 2027 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, with the Government expressing confidence in the country’s capacity to stage the continental event and showcase opportunities for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said Zimbabwe’s selection as one of the final two contenders reflected its commitment to youth development and readiness to host the summit. Speaking at an in-country assessment by the YouthConnekt Africa Secretariat in Harare, Minister Machakaire said the Government was prepared to provide the necessary support to ensure a successful event. “We view this visit as an important opportunity to demonstrate our national preparedness, institutional capacity and collective commitment to successfully hosting this continental event,” he said. Hosting the summit, he said, would enable Zimbabwe to showcase youth-led enterprises, innovations, and investment opportunities, while connecting young entrepreneurs to wider African markets. YouthConnekt Africa Senior Programmes Lead Mr Patient Ndizeye stated that the assessment team evaluated bids from five countries, with Zimbabwe and Zambia emerging as the final contenders. The team is assessing infrastructure, accommodations, venues, and logistical arrangements before submitting a technical report to the initiative’s co-chairs.

Sekai Manyere in GOKWE GOVERNMENT, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and Uncommon.Org, has launched an Artificial Intelligence, Digital and Innovation Hub at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Gokwe North. Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tinoda Machakaire, who was represented by Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupanhanga, said the hub would provide young people in rural communities with access to digital skills, artificial intelligence, coding, innovation and opportunities in the digital economy. “The launch is more than the opening of a training facility,” he said. “It opens the gateway through which young people in rural Zimbabwe can access digital skills, artificial intelligence, coding, innovation, and the opportunities of the digital economy.” In a speech read on his behalf, Minister Machakaire said the facility was the first AI Digital Innovation Hub established by the ministry in a rural area, adding that its location in Gokwe North was deliberate. “Zimbabwe’s digital transformation must not be confined to our cities and urban centres. “It must reach our villages and rural communities so that no young person is left behind because of where they live,” he said. The hub has already enrolled 52 young people from Gokwe North who have commenced lessons. “To our 52 pioneer learners, this hub belongs to you. As the first cohort, you have been given an opportunity that many before you did not have. I urge you not to come merely to obtain certificates, but to acquire skills that can transform your lives,” he said. Minister Machakaire said the initiative came at a time when Zimbabwe was seeking to address youth unemployment and inactivity. He said approximately 49,2 percent of young people were not in education, employment or training, according to the 2025 ZimCET survey. The Minister explained that the national target is to reduce this proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training from 49,2 percent to 15 percent by 2030. He urged development partners, the private sector and communities to support similar initiatives. “One hub is an important beginning, but it cannot be the end; we need more partnerships, more young people trained, more rural communities connected to the digital economy,” said Minister Machakaire. UNDP resident representative Dr Ayodele Odusola said the project was designed as an opportunity platform to generate employment, entrepreneurship and locally relevant solutions. “Success of what we are doing today is not measured by the number of computers that have been installed, but the capabilities that are going to emerge from here, including the employment opportunities that are going to be created, the entrepreneurs that are going to be trained and the locally relevant solutions that are going to be introduced to address challenges that are facing our communities across Zimbabwe,” he said. He said digital innovation should reach communities across the country rather than remain concentrated in urban centres. “Access to digital innovation cannot be limited to all our major urban centres, but it should be something that is accessible to all communities across all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe,” he said. Dr Odusola said the next phase would focus on expanding skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation. “Today’s commissioning is just the beginning; it’s not an end, so the next phase is for us to move from infrastructure to utilisation and also moving to expanding skills, innovating, training entrepreneurs and generating jobs,” he said. UNDP funded the renovation of the facility and procurement of 32 laptops, interactive boards and other equipment, while the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services provided 20 additional laptops. Uncommon.Org deployed instructors to support the programme. Director Michelle Gwatiringa said the project demonstrated that innovation belonged to every community. “Together, we are demonstrating that innovation is not confined to our cities, but it belongs to every community across Zimbabwe,” she said.

The official launch of the Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub in Gokwe tomorrow, is set to usher in a new era of digital inclusion, innovation and economic empowerment for young people in rural communities. The establishment of the hub comes at a time when digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly reshaping economies, education, employment and entrepreneurship across the globe. For young people in rural communities, however, access to these technologies has been a major challenge. It is upon this background that the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training working with the UNDP and Uncommon.org have come together for a cause. They established the Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub in Gokwe Nembudziya. The Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub will provide a platform where youths can acquire digital skills, access information and explore new opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving digital economy. The facility is poised to become an important centre for digital learning, innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people who may otherwise struggle to access modern technology and specialised training. Through exposure to computers, internet-based learning and emerging technologies, youths will have opportunities to develop skills that can enhance their employability while also opening avenues for self-employment. The youths will acquire digital skills such as coding, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, graphic design, data management and online entrepreneurship. The skills are increasingly becoming important components of modern economies. For rural youths, acquiring such skills can provide opportunities to participate in economic activities beyond the traditional boundaries of their communities. A young person in Gokwe, for instance, will now be able to use digital platforms to market products, provide online services, access educational resources or establish an enterprise serving customers beyond the local community. This makes the Nyamuroro hub more than simply a technology centre. It rather represents an investment in human capital and the future of rural communities. Technology and agriculture The hub could also contribute significantly to the modernisation of agriculture, which remains an important economic activity in rural Zimbabwe. Access to digital information can enable farmers and young agricultural entrepreneurs to obtain information on weather patterns, markets, farming techniques, disease management and value addition. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are increasingly being incorporated into agriculture around the world, helping farmers make better-informed decisions and improve productivity. For young people interested in agriculture, access to digital technologies could therefore help transform farming from subsistence activity into a more commercially oriented enterprise. The hub will also provide an environment where young innovators develop technology-based solutions to challenges affecting their communities. Such locally developed solutions could address issues ranging from agriculture and education to environmental management, business development and access to information. Bridging the rural-urban digital divide One of the most significant potential contributions of the Hub would be its role in bridging the digital divide. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Mr Solomon Mhlanga, made it clear that they would want to see the majority of our young from every corner of the country, actively participating in various economic sectors. “Digital exclusion can limit access to education, employment, financial services, markets and information. Establishing digital hubs in rural communities therefore helps create a more inclusive development environment in which young people can participate in the digital economy regardless of where they live. The Nyamuroro Hub has the potential to become a focal point for young innovators, entrepreneurs, students and community members seeking to acquire knowledge and use technology to improve their livelihoods. We are going to establish more digital hubs in all the provinces of the country and this is indeed the way to go in this new media world we are in.” he reiterated Empowering the next generation Youth empowerment remains central to Zimbabwe’s development aspirations, given the country’s youthful population and the need to create sustainable economic opportunities. The Nyamuroro initiative provides an opportunity to complement conventional youth development programmes with practical digital skills that respond to the demands of the modern economy. Rather than viewing young people solely as beneficiaries of development programmes, digital hubs can position them as innovators, entrepreneurs and creators of solutions. A digitally empowered young person can establish an online business, develop an application, market agricultural produce through digital platforms, undertake remote work or create content that reaches audiences beyond Zimbabwe. These possibilities demonstrate the transformative potential of digital inclusion. Rural development beyond infrastructure The importance of the Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub extends beyond technology. Rural development is not only about roads, electricity, water and physical infrastructure. It increasingly involves creating access to knowledge, innovation and opportunities. A digital hub can become a meeting point where young people exchange ideas, receive mentorship, collaborate on projects and connect with markets and institutions. It can also support lifelong learning by enabling community members to access online courses, educational materials and professional development opportunities. This can contribute to the development of a knowledge-based rural economy. As Zimbabwe accelerates efforts towards digital transformation, initiatives such as the Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub demonstrates the importance of taking technology to the communities rather than expecting communities to migrate to urban centres in search of opportunities. A gateway to the future The official launch of the Nyamuroro AI, Digital and Innovation Hub therefore comes with expectations that it will become a catalyst for innovation and youth empowerment in Gokwe and the Midlands Province. Its success, however, will depend not only on the availability of equipment and connectivity, but also on sustained training, mentorship, partnerships and the ability to translate digital skills into tangible economic opportunities. The hub has the potential to nurture a new generation of rural entrepreneurs, innovators and technology enthusiasts who can use their skills to address challenges within their communities while contributing to Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda. As the country embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the message from Nyamuroro is clear: the digital future must be inclusive. And for the young people of Gokwe, the launch of the Hub will mark the beginning of a journey in which technology becomes a powerful tool for unlocking talent, creating opportunities and transforming their communities. The future of digital Zimbabwe cannot be built in cities alone. It must also be built in rural communities like Gokwe, Nkayi, Bubi, Mangwe, Tsholotsho, Filabusi, Kezi among many other rural communities in the country. Ranson Madzamba is the Director of Communication and Advocacy for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.

Tendai Vambe Post Reporter A TOTAL of 1 253 students from nine vocational training centres in Manicaland graduated this morning at Magamba Vocational Training Centre. The third annual graduation for the province’s nine vocational training centres was described as Manicaland’s skills revolution. Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister, Honourable Tino Machakaire, said upskilling youths is at the centre of Vision 2030 and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s thrust to industrialise rural communities through skills and self-employment. “Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, has placed human capital development at the centre of the country’s transformation agenda. Our national development aspirations under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) recognise that Zimbabwe cannot become an upper middle-income economy without a highly skilled, productive, innovative and entrepreneurial population. This is why we have these graduates here today,” he said. Minister Machakaire said Government’s focus on vocational training reflects its commitment to building a workforce capable of driving industrialisation from the grassroots. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the province is embracing President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which promotes self-employment so that vocational skills are used in industry. Minister Mugadza said skills in areas such as poultry, horticulture, garment making and construction should be applied to enhance personal welfare and community development. The graduation underscored the role of vocational training in equipping young people with practical skills for economic participation.

Sharon Jiyamwa Herald Reporter ZIMBABWEAN and Ethiopian youths have joined hands in a tree-planting exercise in Harare, pledging to strengthen youth-led climate action and environmental restoration ahead of the 2027 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32). The joint tree-planting ceremony, held at Heritage Village, brought together Government officials, an Ethiopian youth delegation, young people from the two countries, environmental organisations and other stakeholders. Officials described the initiative as the beginning of a broader movement to promote environmental restoration, green entrepreneurship and youth cooperation across Africa. The initiative draws inspiration from Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, launched by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed. Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mr Tino Machakaire said the initiative demonstrated the importance of African solidarity in confronting environmental challenges. “Today’s tree-planting activity is significant because it reflects the environmental vision of His Excellency, the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” he said. Minister Machakaire said the Green Legacy was about more than planting trees, describing it as a symbol of hope, protection of natural resources, climate resilience and responsibility towards future generations. He also called on young Zimbabweans to take ownership of the Green Legacy by leading environmental initiatives in their communities, schools and workplaces, while promoting responsible waste management and fighting environmental degradation, pollution and veld fires “I call on the youth of Zimbabwe to make the Green Legacy their own. You must lead environmental initiatives, become ambassadors in your communities, and plant trees in schools and workplaces,” he said. He said the Zimbabwe-Ethiopia youth partnership should be strengthened through the sharing of knowledge, innovation, technology and best practices, while supporting youth-led green enterprises and turning environmental challenges into opportunities for employment and sustainable economic development “We must build networks of young environmental leaders. We must support youth-led green enterprises. We must turn environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation, employment and sustainable economic development,” he said. Minister Machakaire said the trees should become living symbols of the friendship between Zimbabwe and Ethiopia and the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental sustainability. Head of the Ethiopian Prosperity Party Youth Delegation, Senbetu Ababa, said the choice of tree planting was deliberate, describing it as a simple but powerful demonstration of the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental protection. “Today, we have chosen to demonstrate that friendship through something very simple, yet very powerful, planting a tree,” said Mr Ababa. He encouraged the initiation of youth environmental dialogues, organisation of tree planting programs and sharing of knowledge and technology as the two countries move towards a greener Africa. Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Mrs Evelyn Ndlovu, who was represented by the acting Director for the Department of Wildlife and Forest, said Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative provided an important lesson for Zimbabwe, having mobilised the planting of more than 48 billion seedlings since 2019 and working towards a stated national ambition of 65 billion trees. “Restoration at scale is not achieved by ministries acting alone. It is achieved when a country decides that tree planting is a civic act in which every citizen needs to participate,” he said. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, has committed to restoring about two million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under AFR100, with about 685 000 hectares already restored, she said Zimbabwe was particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions She said the country had experienced the effects of climate change through disasters such as Cyclone Idai, as well as frequent and prolonged droughts that had weakened food systems. “Although Zimbabwe produces only about 0,7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, we are ranked among the top 50 most vulnerable countries in the world,” he said. She described the disparity between Africa’s relatively low emissions and its disproportionate exposure to climate impacts as a major injustice, saying the continent must continue speaking with one voice in international climate negotiations.

Ranson Madzamba Correspondent DEEP in the rural surroundings of Nyongolo Village in Matabeleland South, an extraordinary transformation is taking place. The sound of construction has become a familiar rhythm in the village. Where there was once little more than an open rural space, classrooms and workshops are steadily taking shape. The transformation promises to change the lives of young people and strengthen the community for generations to come. The construction of Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre is nearing completion. For the young people of Nyongolo village, surrounding communities and the whole of Matabeleland South Province, the emerging institution represents something far more valuable than bricks and mortar. It is indeed a symbol of empowerment and renewed hope for young Zimbabweans who have long faced limited access to technical and vocational training. The centre is set to bring vocational skills as well as Youth Service in Zimbabwe training to the doorstep of rural young people while preparing them for a world increasingly shaped by technology, digital communication and new forms of employment. As the buildings rise from the rural landscape, so too does the prospect of a brighter future for local youths. A centre for opportunity For many young people living in rural communities, accessing vocational education can be a major challenge. Distance, transport costs and limited training institutions often force young people to travel to urban centres in search of skills and opportunities. The establishment of Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre by the Second Republic will bring skills development closer to the communities that need it most. The centre is expected to provide a platform where young people can acquire practical skills that can translate into employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. From technical trades to other vocational disciplines, such training can equip young Zimbabwe-ans with the confidence and practical knowledge needed to participate meaningfully in the country’s developmental discourse. For parents and guardians in Matabeleland South, the centre offers the hope that their children will have opportunities to develop practical skills without having to leave their communities. Transforming rural communities The impact of a vocational training centre can extend well beyond its students. When young people acquire practical skills, they can establish businesses and provide services within their own communities. A trained builder, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, tailor or entrepreneur can create employment while also meeting local needs. This creates a ripple effect. One trained young person can become a service provider. A successful business can employ others. Those employees can support their families. On another note, families with more stable incomes can contribute to stronger and more resilient communities. In that way, the centre has the potential to become an engine of local economic development. Hope for the youth Zimbabwe’s young population represents one of the country’s greatest assets. However, that potential can only be realised when young people have access to quality education, skills and opportunities. Vocational education provides an important pathway for those whose talents and ambitions may not necessarily follow a traditional academic route. A legacy of empowerment The centre’s name carries historical significance. The late Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, one of Zimbabwe’s foremost national liberation figures and a founding leader of the country, remains associated with the ideals of education, empowerment, unity and national development. Naming a youth training institution after such a prominent figure gives the project an added sense of purpose. The name is being attached to an institution whose central mission is to equip young Zimbabweans with the skills needed to participate in building the nation. It is a fitting connection. The struggles of yesterday secured independence. The challenge of today is turning that independence into economic opportunity. The young people are thus central to that task. Defining the Youth Service in Zimbabwe The centre will house a Vocational Training Centre as well as a Youth Service in Zimbabwe Training institution. It is indeed a two in one institution. The Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme is an important youth development initiative crucial in nurturing young people into responsible and resilient citizens. It brings into action, a clear sense of national identity and respect for national values among the youths. The programme seeks to provide career guidance and impart life and entrepreneurial skills for resilience and employment creation. The programme thus enhances the spirit of patriotism by promoting volunteerism, civic responsibility and loyalty to the nation through national orientation training. The programme also encourages peace and positive social integration among youths of different ethnicities, cultures, religions and political persuasions and as ever echoed by the late former Vice President Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo. As construction progresses, anticipation is likely to grow among residents of Nyongolo Village and surrounding communities. The real measure of the project, however, will ultimately be seen years later in the young people to pass through its doors, the businesses they are to establish, the jobs they are to create and the families whose lives they are to positively change. Some of the classrooms under construction at Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre Ranson Madzamba is the Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.