President Mnangagwa Presides over launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe
Mashonaland Province has been honored to host the launch of the revamped Youth
Service in Zimbabwe Programme.
President Mnangagwa will deliver the keynote address at the event, which is
scheduled for Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre
in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District of Mashonaland East Province.
Running under the theme “Empower Youth: Secure the Future,” the new model of
the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme is designed to help the youth acquire
life skills while fostering patriotism and leadership, aligning with the
nation’s goals.
The program aims to instill values of Ubuntu/Unhu, patriotism, and
leadership among the country’s youth. There has been a strong public demand for
the return of the youth service following its disbandment years ago.
The launch is expected to attract over thirty thousand (30,000) youths from
across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces.
The Youth Empowerment Forum will be held alongside the launch, providing a
platform for youths to interact with the President and government ministers,
among other officials. This forum will serve as a space for the President to
engage directly with the youth, identify and unlock their socio-economic
potential, and build their capacity.
The forum will also work on identifying and unlocking socio-economic
opportunities for the youth by engaging policymakers in key economic sectors.
This effort is part of the broader goal to harness the youth dividend towards
achieving Vision 2030 and to increase awareness, commitment, and investment in
youth development initiatives, programs, and projects.
Youths in Zimbabwe are encouraged to leverage these government initiatives
to create employment opportunities. The Youth Empowerment Forum will be rolled
out across all ten provinces of the country.
This government intervention is particularly timely, as the country is
currently grappling with widespread drug abuse among the youth. Recently, the
government launched an operation to curb drug abuse, resulting in 6,148
arrests, including 677 suppliers and 5,471 end-users. Law enforcement
operations successfully dismantled 106 illegal drug trading hubs in locations
such as Harare, Shamva, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Bulawayo, and Mutare.
The introduction of the youth service is expected to help reduce drug abuse
by keeping youths engaged in acquiring life skills and training. The program is
set to transform the country and change the mindset of the youth.
