…250 females graduate at Vumba National Youth Service Training Centre first intake

Ngoni Dapira

GRADUATES from the rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe will get precedence for vacancies in public service and quasi government institutions, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Speaking during a passout parade and graduation ceremony of the first cohort at Vumba National Youth Service Training Centre in Manicaland last Friday, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the programme is important for nation building and safeguarding the national interests of the country.

The first group of 250 young females drawn from all-over the country completed their six months youth service and received certificates.

An all female passout parade.

Minister Mutsvangwa who was the guest of honour applauded the females for showing their patriotism and dedication to safeguard the future of Zimbabwe.

“Cabinet directed that the rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe be a precondition to get employed in government institutions such as the police, army, the prisons services and in parastatals as well. The idea is that, with the discipline inculcated here, we will improve efficiency and even see an end to corruption in our public institutions,” said Min Mutsvangwa who is also a Senator for Maicaland Province.

To increase enrollment she said the Ministry of Youth intends to open three more centres next year, Guyu Training Centre in Gwanda (Matabeleland South), Igava Training Centre in Marondera (Mashonaland East) and Pan’ani Centre in Filabusi (Matabeleland South).

Reflecting on her liberation war experience she encouraged the Youth Service in Zimbabwe graduates to never forget the history of the country and to safeguard the country from neo-colonialism.

“Where we are today here in Vumba, we were not allowed here. Even in Highlands in Harare where some of us now live. You had to be a maid or a gardener to live there. If you (black people) were seen roaming in the streets, you would be arrested, so this education and history is important for us especially youths, for you to understand why we need to safeguard our country,” she said.

Adding, “The independence Zimbabwe now enjoys was realized because of youths and it is now time for the youths present-day to play their part to safeguard the sovereignty of Zimbabwe. For us it was not easy to challenge the Smith (Ian) regime.” said Senator Mutsvangwa who said she went to join the liberation war at the age of 15 and continues to fight for black consciousness, especially for women who have been subjugated for too long.

Senator Mutsvangwa said the new youth service version and framework by President Mnangagwa is incomparable, adding that the patriotism legacy will not die through the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme. She cited that several war veterans like her intend to soon pass the button to youths, but want to ensure there is a conscious youth that cherishes the history of the country’s hard earned independence.

L-R: Min Machakaire and Senator Mutsvangwa following proceedings..

“As we retire, we want to leave this legacy in the hands of youths that are disciplined, politically mature and knowledgeable of the history of our country. Indeed Zimbabwe needs the participation of patriotic, responsible and disciplined youths for vision 2030 to be realized hence the decision by government to reintroduce the youth service. This youth service version and framework by President Mnangagwa is incomparable. It is centred on education that fosters national interest and community building,” she said.

Senator Mutsvangwa emphasized that Zimbabwe will never go back to the colonialists, so long there are patriotic and conscious youths whom they intend to groom through the youth service programme.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is instructed that a well-trained, regimented and politically conscious youth movement primed for service, such as this one which has paraded before us today, is a sure bulwark against any internal and external malignant forces that may threaten the existence of the nation state,” said the assertive Minister Mutsvangwa who has held many Ministerial positions in government.

In solidarity with his vision, the Minister of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Hon Tino Machakaire promised two graduates employment at Tinmac Motors next year. Emmah Gadha from Masvingo who holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Accounting and Chido Zvirawa from Mashonaland East who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Honours Degree were both promised jobs next year by Minister Machakaire, who is the owner of Timac Motors.

Minister Machakaire congratulates one of the graduates who is disabled, Tendai Chapara. He said the youth service is inclusive and leaving no one behind.

The Vumba National Youth Training Centres 2024 intake comes shortly after the Dadaya National Youth Training Centre graduation held on December 6.  They are the first intakes under the rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme. 831 graduands, comprising of 140 females and 691 males graduated at Dadaya National Youth Training Centre in Zvishavane.

A total of 1082 youths have been trained at the two institutions as the pioneering cohort for the rebranded programme launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa early this year on May 24. Formerly called the National Youth Service, the programme was initiated in 2001 but was discontinued due to financial constraints.

Minister Machakaire echoed the same sentiments that the rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe has come at the right time when youths need to be guided on national interests and how to meaningfully participate in nation building. He added that with the scourge of drug and substance abuse, the Youth Service in Zimbabwe will also be used to indoctrinate youths on moral principles to combat drugs and substance abuse.

He said plans are also in place to work with churches and use their existing infrastructure as youth service centres. The Youths Minister said an agreement with the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) church is already agreed to in principle but they are still working modalities.

Minister Machakaire implored Senator Mutsvangwa to help his Ministry to enforce the cabinet directive which obliges that the holders of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe certificate be given priority in admission into State and Higher education institutions as well as appointment priority in State enterprises, parastatals and the public service.

“We are still young in politics which is why we are learning and seek guidance from our elders such as you Senator Mutsvangwa our guest of honour. I can be a Minister but I don’t know everything. You can be a doctor but you will not know everything. You will need a lawyer when the time comes…So we are grateful for the knowledge you imparted to the graduates and to us,” said Min Machakaire.

An all female passout parade.

He added that next year on National Youth Day on the 21^st of February, it will be the official day for all the first cohort graduates to be deployed to work in their various professions or career choices in public service and quasi government institutions.

“There are some youths who think we are joking about how the youth service programme will work, but we want to see how you will get into the police, the army and other public service jobs as a youth without going through the Youth Service in Zimbabwe. This programme is vital and urgent to instill a culture of honesty, patriotism, hard work, discipline and volunteerism’ amongst the country’s young men and women.,” voiced Min Machakaire.

Adding, “Our theme next year will be centred on employment creation and patriotism.. I want to see those in government that will be bold enough not to follow this Cabinet directive. Some might say youths coming here are not educated, but you saw for yourself that it’s misinformation. We had law school graduates, accountants, nurses and even post graduates with Masters Degrees. These are our future leaders that have dedicated to come here and learn about patriotism and true nation building,” said Min Machakaire.

Minister Machakaire said it is important for the media and all who attended to tell the correct narrative about the Youth Service in Zimbabwe. He added that he is walking the talk on youth empowerment as he recently appointed youthful board members this month, embracing President Mnangagwa’s mantra of inclusivity and leaving no one behind.

(Front row): The distinguished Ministers who were present saluting the youth service graduates during the passout parade.

The Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Hon Kudakwashe Mpamhanga whilst introducing Min Machakaire said youths should take a leaf from him (Min Machakaire), and also learn that life is not easy for one to reach the halls of success like he did.

“Our Hon Minister is popularly known as Tinmac because of his transport company. He is also into real estate, logistics and farming, but all this success came from hard work because he was not born into wealth. Hon Minister Machakaire used to be a carpenter and electrician. Rumour has it that he was even a bus conductor at some point (chuckles), and he even tried to go and work in the United Kingdom (UK) like many Zimbabweans out there, but he was deported and came back to start from scratch,” said Dpty Minister Mpamhanga.

“I am saying all this not to parade his success or ridicule his upbringing, but for you graduates here to understand that for you to get somewhere you need hard-work, perseverance and last but not least you need God. Hon Minister Machakaire was knocked down a lot in his life and started from the bottom but today he has stood the test of time and has made a name for himself. This is the stepping stone you are taking here today as a youth to better your life,” said Dpty Youth Minister Mpamhanga.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Advocate Misheck Mugadza in his welcome remarks encouraged the graduates to take seriously what they had learned. He also applauded the youths for their dedication and commitment to personal growth and service to Zimbabwe by enrolling in the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme.

“This is a unique but very special programme for the country …This programme as envisioned by His Excellency Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa continues to instill values of patriotism, discipline and leadership in our youths and beyond mere training. This programme also fosters social integration encouraging unity, resilience and innovation in our youths…To our graduates together we believe we can drive progress and create a better Zimbabwe for all under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mnangagwa. Remember graduation is not the end of the chapter but the beginning of a new and exciting journey,” said Hon Adv Mugadza.

Parents, family and friends of the graduates were also invited to witness the passout parade and be testament of the programme results. The female passout parade had three regiments and they meticulously executed their passout parade drills.

The event was also graced by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Solomon Mhlanga, Zanu-PF Manicaland chairperson cde Tawanda Mukodza, Mutare Rural District council chairman councilor Hopewell Muzaeni, as well as provincial directors and heads of Ministries and parastatals.

The custodian of the land, Chief Zimunya, gave the closing remarks and applauded such programmes that will safeguard the future of Zimbabwe given the adverse effects of globalization and neo-colonialism, especially amongst youths. He also commended Vumba Youth Service in Zimbabwe Training Centre principal Monica Chekera for the great work.