THE high population of youths in Zimbabwe requires the creation of projects to enable them to become entrepreneurs and refrain from abusing drugs and other substances, a senior government official has said
Ministry of Youths, Sports, Arts and Recreation permanent secretary Thokozile Chitepo said this while officially launching the Jairosi Jiri and Bulawayo City Council youths’ hubs in Nguboyenja high density suburb.
International Non-Governmental Organisation SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is implementing the programme under the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) project with support from the Embassy of Sweden and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.
The project seeks to improve the livelihoods and prospects for at least 10 000 out of school youths, at least 50 percent of whom are young women, by creating “green” employment and enterprise opportunities in agriculture, energy, and other emerging sectors.
Under the OYE project, SNV has partnered with the Jairosi Jiri Association Bulawayo branch and Bulawayo City Council to set up two youth hubs in Nguboyenja and Mabuthweni respectively.
The project covers sectors such as poultry, mushroom production, horticulture, rabbit breeding, fish farming and permaculture.
“Creating economic space for the youth and persons with disabilities is one of the key milestones to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Dr Chitepo said the hubs had been established to strengthen the capacity of both Jairos Jiri and the Bulawayo City Council to deliver cutting edge and market driven employment opportunities for young people.
Speaking at the same occasion, SNV and OYE projects manager Cloffas Nyagumbo said the project was being implemented in 11 districts across the country.
Nyagumbo said the programme dovetails with the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which encourages young people to learn a culture of honesty and hard work.
