Story by Margaret Matibiri
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says the future of Zimbabwe lies with the youths and society should ensure that young people reach their full potential.
The President was addressing youths from all the country’s 10 provinces who converged at Magamba Training Centre in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province for the belated Africa Youth Day and youth empowerment forum commemorations.
In his address during the event, President Mnangagwa said he is impressed by the entrepreneurial skills shown by the country’s youths and their focus towards development which reflect a brighter future.
“It is the duty of the whole society from the family level upwards, to ensure that our young people reach their full potential. They need our support. I am pleased to see many of our young people demonstrating excellent entrepreneurship capabilities that promise a brighter future for our nation Zimbabwe. I say to our youth and their leadership. Your focus and unity is commendable, makorokoto/amhlope,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the ongoing strengthening food security on the continent presents tremendous opportunities for our young people.
“Modernising vocational training institutions is essential for equipping students with the skills they need for life. I was impressed to know that vocational training centers are now producing crops for both local and international markets. In this regard, the ongoing drive to promote intra-Africa trade and made-in-Africa goods and services along with innovative youth-led enterprises to enhance climate change mitigation and strengthening food security on the continent presents tremendous opportunities for our young people.
“Our young entrepreneurs should intentionally acquire the requisite business market knowledge to access broader markets while also enhancing their competitiveness to easily trade in Africa and beyond. I challenge our youth therefore to develop cross-border networks and create enterprises that not only contribute to their livelihoods but also the economic =development of our nation and the continent at large.
“All vocational training centres should engage and work closely with ZIMTRADE in order to penetrate export markets, I further encourage all young people to take up the skills training programme offered in these vocational training centres across the country. These are designed to adequately equip the student with the know-how to produce goods and services with ready markets both locally and internationally.”
The President reiterated calls for youths to shun drugs, substances and corruption, instead calling on them to uphold African values.
“As we celebrate the youth month, let us continue to remember that youths are indeed the future of our nation. We must continue to fight drug and substance abuse for the sake of our children. I therefore upload the National Committee on drug and substance abuse for the Zimbabwe multi-sectoral drug and substance abuse plan 2024 to 2030 which guides programming in this area. I challenge you our young people to lead this fight within your schools and communities, the future of this country is in your hands.
“In addition, I encourage you to shun vices such as corruption which undermine the values of hard honest work and integrity in favour of quick money. Quick money goes away quickly. Let us uphold the values of respect the values of dignity, hard work, tolerance, integrity, and patriotism guided by our African philosophy, Hunhu/Ubuntu.
