A significant milestone was achieved as 831 young Zimbabweans graduated from the Dadaya National Youth Service training center in Zvishavane. This event marked the first graduation under the newly rebranded Youth Service program in the country.
Originally established in 2001 in line with the Nziramasanga Commission Report of 1999, which recommended youth civic education, the National Youth Service aimed to provide training to young people. Over 83,000 youths participated in the program before it was discontinued due to funding issues. The goal of the program is to foster patriotic, disciplined, resilient, and responsible individuals who are equipped with skills to contribute to nation-building.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, addressed the audience, celebrating the accomplishments of the 831 graduates, which included 140 females and 691 males. He highlighted that the 2024 Vumba and Dadaya intakes are the first to take place under the revamped Youth Service in Zimbabwe program, with a total of 1,082 youths trained at these two centers this year.
Minister Machakaire noted that the Youth Service program was relaunched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on May 24 at the Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Mashonaland East. The initiative has enabled the recruitment of trainees at both Dadaya and Vumba Training Centers.
The Minister emphasized that the program plays a key role in youth development and empowerment in Zimbabwe. He stressed that the energy, motivation, and innovative ideas of young people are vital for national development, but they need proper guidance to channel their efforts towards the country’s progress. By reintroducing the Youth Service program, President Mnangagwa recognized the potential of youth to drive social change and contribute to nation-building.
The Youth Service program features a comprehensive curriculum, including national orientation, civic education, history, and the country’s liberation legacy. Additionally, the program covers environmental management, personal and community health, entrepreneurship, disaster management, drug prevention, physical education, and basic information technology skills.
Currently, the program operates three training centers in Manicaland, Midlands, and Matabeleland South, with plans to expand into the other seven provinces. These existing centers are being renovated, and new training locations are being developed with the goal of training more youth in the next five years.
In response to the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe, Minister Machakaire noted that the Youth Service program plays a crucial role in educating young people about the dangers of substance abuse. He mentioned that many of the trainees at Dadaya who had struggled with addiction before joining the program have now fully recovered.
As part of the program, a careers’ day was held, leading to some trainees securing placements in various government departments. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army each hired four graduates, while Zvishavane Town Council employed 10, Zimpapers hired one, and the Public Service Commission took in one. This aligns with a Cabinet directive that prioritizes holders of the Youth Service certificate for admission to state universities and appointments in public service and state-owned enterprises.
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