Story by Peter Chivhima
YOUNG entrepreneurs have been challenged to harness their intellectual skills and innovation to contribute towards national development.
As Zimbabwe accelerates efforts towards attaining an upper-middle-income society by 2030, stakeholders say the participation of young people remains critical in driving sustainable national development.
Speaking on the sidelines of an awards ceremony held in Harare this Friday, the Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Dr Jenfan Muswere challenged young leaders and entrepreneurs to utilise their intellectual capacity, innovation, and professional expertise in advancing the nation’s development agenda.
“The attainment of Vision 2030 requires the collective effort of all citizens, particularly the youth. You are a key driver of economic growth, industrialisation, and sustainable development. Let us use our skills and intellect to develop Zimbabwe.”
The awards ceremony recognised several young project leaders under the age of 40 for their outstanding contribution to national development, innovation, and employment creation.
Award recipients also encouraged fellow youths to remain resilient and focused.
“I am truly honoured to be recognised among the winners tonight. This award motivates me to continue working hard and creating opportunities for other young people in my community,” one of the recipients said.
“I feel proud and encouraged to be part of these awards. Being recognised for our efforts shows that young people have an important role to play in national development,” another stated.
“This achievement means a lot to my team and me. We are happy to be among the winners, and this recognition will inspire us to expand our projects and create more employment opportunities.”
Chartered Institute of Project Managers Zimbabwe director Professor Proctor Nyemba said the initiative is designed to inspire and motivate young people from diverse backgrounds to actively participate in nation-building and leadership.
“The idea behind the awards is to motivate youths to come up with sustainable income-generating projects that contribute to employment creation and national economic growth.”
The ceremony also honoured several construction companies for their contribution towards the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure, including landmark projects such as the Trabablas Interchange.
