Vision 2030 Gets Real: Youths Skills and Enterprise Take Center Stage

By Kudakwashe Ruzive

As Zimbabwe continues to pursue the aspirations of Vision 2030 under the leadership of President ED Mnangagwa, efforts to ensure inclusive development across all sectors of society are gathering momentum.

Among the key focus areas is youth empowerment, with Harare Province positioning itself to tackle some of the long-standing challenges affecting young people through innovative and sustainable interventions.

Harare Zanu-PF Provincial Political Commissar, Cde Voyage Dambuza, has called for a renewed focus on vocational training, entrepreneurship and the revival of home industries as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth in Harare Province.

The initiative seeks to transform communities into productive economic hubs where young people can access opportunities, acquire skills and build sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking in an interview, Cde Voyage said economic empowerment remains one of the most effective solutions to challenges such as poverty, crime and drug and substance abuse.

“For many years, our youths have been exposed to challenges such as drug and substance abuse, criminal activities, violence and unemployment. We now need a deliberate and structured approach that gives them hope, purpose and opportunities to build successful futures,” he said.

Central to the strategy is the promotion of entrepreneurship through mentorship programmes that will connect youths with successful business leaders and industry experts.

Cde Voyage revealed plans to work closely with leading entrepreneurs, including Kuda Tagwirei and Scott Sakupwanya, to inspire young people and expose them to practical business knowledge.

“We want young people to learn business skills directly from those who have successfully built enterprises. Our objective is to help youths discover opportunities and create sustainable income streams,” he said.

He also emphasised the need to accelerate industrialisation by establishing more factories, workshops and vocational training centres capable of absorbing thousands of unemployed youths.

“Instead of focusing solely on housing development, we must accelerate industrialisation. We need more factories, workshops and vocational centres that can absorb thousands of young people who are currently unemployed,” he said.

As part of the programme, Cde Voyage proposed the revival of home industries under a modern framework that would allow the community members to own productive workspaces and establish businesses capable of generating employment.

“We want to revive the concept of home industries under what we are calling service industries. People should be able to acquire land with proper title deeds and establish workshops, manufacturing units and small businesses that create employment for local youths,” he said.

He added that many dormant community enterprises and business centres could be revitalised to become engines of production and economic growth.

The involvement of Dr Tagwirei and Hon Sakupwanya is expected to strengthen the initiative through mentorship and inspiration.

Dr Tagwirei has played a significant role in supporting youth empowerment, education and economic development programmes that have positively impacted many young Zimbabweans. His entrepreneurial journey continues to serve as a source of motivation for aspiring business leaders.

Meanwhile, Hon Sakupwanya has championed several community development initiatives in Mabvuku-Tafara, focusing on skills development, youth empowerment, education support, health services and economic opportunities.

His hands-on approach has demonstrated how practical interventions can improve livelihoods and inspire young people to pursue productive ventures.Cde Voyage believes the combination of vocational skills development, entrepreneurship mentorship and revived home industries can transform communities and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“If we are serious about achieving Vision 2030, we must create opportunities for young people. We need to turn communities into centres of productivity where youths can earn a living and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

The proposed programme is expected to position youths at the centre of economic transformation while building stronger and more productive communities throughout Harare Province.

##StayTunedOnJWB#