Story by Providence Maraneli
OVER 400 students drawn from all four vocational training centres in Matabeleland South Province this Thursday graduated in various entrepreneurship courses at a grand graduation ceremony held at Phangani Vocational Training Centre in Filabusi.
Among the graduates were two primary school cousins from Kwalini village in Insiza North, who enrolled in a local satellite baking school to help their grandmother meet household and school expenses. Their determination and success have inspired many youths across the province.
“Now I can bake cakes and leave my grandmother to sell whilst I am going to school,” said Listina Moyo.
Her cousin Angela Moyo also said, “I can now bake plain buns, and I think it will help me in my future.”
“These are my grandchildren, and they are helping me to raise them. They are still going to school, but they already have a skill,” said their guardian, Gogo Snikiwe Moyo.
For other graduating students, vocational training centres have become a pillar of youth empowerment.
“I am now a professional builder, and I am thinking of setting up my construction company, and I think it will help other youths to get professional,” said a graduate.
“I was majoring in Agriculture, and when I go back home to Beitbridge, I will establish my horticulture project,” noted another.
“We are witnessing 443 youths, 171 females and 272 males who are graduating in different areas of their speciality, who are either aware or not aware of what is waiting for them after this day. Drug and substance abuse is an enemy that has cropped up to fight against our wellbeing and economic growth; therefore, it requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to fight against this new pandemic affecting the whole world,” explained Phangani Vocational Training Centre Principal, Mr Hilton Moyo.
Government is on a drive to roll out vocational training centres as the country pursues an empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“Honourable minister and your team, we really appreciate your dedication and hard work in ensuring that our youths, particularly here in Matabelelnad South, receive vocational skills that we believe will enhance their employability and self-employment generation,” highlighted the Secretary for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution,” Mrs Latiso Dlamini-Maseko.
In response, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire said, “As the ministry, we are now shifting our focus in terms of empowerment fund, we now want to prioritise those who would have gone through vocational training, so that we build a foundation for an empowered youth.”
The grand graduation ceremony comprised students from Phangani, Avoca, Guyu, Esigodini and Lutumba.
