Harare, (New Ziana) – Over 30 000 youths from around the country are expected to converge at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Mashonaland East province on Friday, for the launch of the revived National Youth Service, a Cabinet Minister has said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to address the youths, to mark the beginning of the revived program, now known as the Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ).
Briefing the press, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said about 750 youths from around the country are expected to start the six-month training on June 1.
The YSZ revival comes as the government moves to inculcate among the youths, a culture of service, constructive participation in national building activities, and the need to keep away from social ills such as drug and substance abuse and early marriages.
“Youths from across the country will have an opportunity to interface with the President during the launch and interact with government Ministries, departments and agencies and private sector players who will be exhibiting,” said Muswere.
He said the Youth Empowerment Forum (YEF), which will run on the sidelines of the launch, will provide a platform for President Mnangagwa to engage with the youth and policy makers.
It is also expected to harness the youth dividend towards achieving the national vision to become an upper middle income economy by 2030 as well as to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth development initiatives, programs and projects.
Dr Muswere urged youths in the country to take advantage of government initiatives to better create employment, adding the YEF would be rolled out in all the country’s 10 provinces.
New Ziana