National Youth Service launch set for Uzumba, Pres...

National Youth Service launch set for Uzumba, President Mnangagwa to officiate at event

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Government has confirmed the launch of the National Youth Service in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe tomorrow, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa set to officially launch the programme that will mould youths in values and patriotism.

The launch set to take place at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre, under the theme, “Empower Youth: Secure the Future,” will see over 30 000 youths from the host province Mashonaland East, grace the event and have a chance to interface with President Mnangagwa as well as other government institutions exhibiting at the programme launch.

In a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said that there will be a Youth Empowerment Forum on the sidelines of the launch that will be used to facilitate a number of initiatives, chief among them being providing a platform for President Mnangagwa to interact with youths, identifying socio-economic potential of youths and giving the youths a platform to engage policy makers in various sectors.

“The Launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme will take place at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District of Mashonaland East Province on 24 May, 2024. Running under the theme, ‘Empower Youth: Secure the Future’, the event will be graced by His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa who will deliver the Keynote Address as well as launch the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme.

“Over thirty thousand (30 000) youths drawn from Mashonaland East Province and delegates from other provinces are expected to attend the launch. 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.

“The Youth Empowerment Forum, which will run on the sidelines of the launch, is being introduced to achieve the following set objectives: to provide a platform for the President of Zimbabwe to engage with the youth; to identify and unlock the socio-economic potential of youths through building the capacity of young people; to identify and unlock socio-economic opportunities for youths by engaging policy makers in key sectors of the economy to harness the youth dividend towards achievement of vision 2030; and to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth development initiatives, programmes and projects.

The launch of the Youth Service programme in 2024 follows its closure years back, with government also finalising a legal framework to guide operations of the programme.