A major milestone was reached when 831 young Zimbabweans graduated from the Dadaya National Youth Service training center in Zvishavane, marking the first graduation under the newly revamped Youth Service program in the country.
The National Youth Service was originally established in 2001 following the Nziramasanga Commission Report of 1999, which recommended civic education for youth. The program aimed to equip young people with valuable skills to foster patriotism, discipline, resilience, and responsibility. Over 83,000 youth participated before it was discontinued due to funding challenges. The main goal is to prepare youths to contribute to the nation-building process.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, addressed the ceremony, congratulating the 831 graduates, which included 140 females and 691 males. He noted that the 2024 Vumba and Dadaya intakes were the first under the restructured Youth Service program, with a total of 1,082 young people trained across these two centers this year.
Machakaire highlighted that the program was relaunched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on May 24 at the Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Mashonaland East. The relaunch led to the recruitment of trainees at both Dadaya and Vumba Training Centers.
The Minister stressed the importance of the Youth Service program in shaping youth development and empowerment in Zimbabwe. He emphasized that the creativity, drive, and energy of young people are crucial for the nation’s progress but need to be directed properly for maximum impact. President Mnangagwa’s decision to reinstate the program reflected the government’s belief in the youth’s potential to drive social transformation.
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The Youth Service program includes a broad curriculum covering national identity, civic education, the country’s liberation history, environmental management, personal and community health, entrepreneurship, disaster management, drug prevention, physical education, and basic IT skills.
Currently, the program runs training centers in Manicaland, Midlands, and Matabeleland South, with plans to extend to all seven other provinces. Renovations are underway for the current centers, and new locations are being developed to train more youth in the next five years.
Addressing the rise of drug abuse in the country, Minister Machakaire noted the program’s vital role in educating youth about the dangers of substance abuse. He shared that many trainees at Dadaya, who had struggled with addiction before joining, had successfully overcome their issues during the program.
Additionally, a career day event was held for trainees, leading to job placements in various government agencies. Graduates were hired by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Zvishavane Town Council, Zimpapers, and the Public Service Commission. This aligns with a government directive that gives priority to Youth Service certificate holders for university admissions and public service positions.
