De jeugd mondig maken, de toekomst veilig stellen: Young Africa op het Nationaal Jeugdsymposium 2025

Young Africa Zimbabwe joined the National Youth Symposium where President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Youth Empowerment Strategy 2026–2030. Our students’ creativity shone bright and they left the event with life-changing opportunities.

The National Youth Symposium 2025 brought together hundreds of young people, government leaders, and development partners under the theme “Empower the Youth, Secure the Future.”

The event marked a milestone in Zimbabwe’s youth agenda as President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Youth Empowerment Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to guide structured youth development programmes across the country.

Addressing participants, President Mnangagwa urged young people to lead in digital transformation, saying, “We are now living in a digital era, where digital skills are no longer optional; they are the new literacy.”

Similarly, the Minister of State  Honourable Tavengwa highlighted that “Young people are strategic pillars in driving economic growth,” calling upon development organisations to invest in youth empowerment to secure the nation’s future.

Among the exhibition stands was Young Africa Zimbabwe, showcasing the innovation and talent nurtured through our vocational training programmes. Students and graduates presented creative works from various trades, from metal fabrication and welding to cosmetology, solar installation and food production.

The exhibition attracted high-level attention, with the President himself taking time to interact with our students and view their displays. It was a proud moment for the Young Africa family, reflecting our ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, particularly through our Mobile Training model, which has been implemented in partnership with government vocational trainers since 2019.

Among the exhibitors was Dayson Miruka (18), a Welding and Machine Shop student from Young Africa Chitungwiza. Using scrap metal, Jason crafts beautiful and functional pieces, key holders, African map displays, cup holders, and braai stands.

During the exhibition, Jason’s work caught the attention of an organisation that promotes African cultural arts. Impressed by his creativity and skill, they offered him a job to train other young people. He also received multiple orders for his handmade braai stands and cup holders.

Jason’s story is just one example of the opportunities that Young Africa students gained at the symposium. All of our participants walked away with new connections, recognition for their skills, and the confidence to contribute to Zimbabwe’s development.

Young Africa remains committed to empowering young people with life skills, technical expertise, and entrepreneurship training that open real pathways to decent work and self-employment. As Zimbabwe charts a new course through the National Youth Empowerment Strategy 2026–2030, we stand ready to contribute to its success, one skilled youth at a time.