HWANGE East MP Joseph Bonda has called on the government to take a more direct approach to youth empowerment in Hwange district, arguing that partner-led projects leave out young people without recognised qualifications.
Bonda made the remarks in Parliament, urging the government to ensure undocumented youths are included in empowerment programmes.
However, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training deputy minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga said a vocational training centre would be considered in the ministry’s 2027 strategy.
Bonda had asked the minister to update Parliament on youth development projects running in Hwange district.
Mupamhanga said the district had 46 954 youths, according to the 2022 Census, adding that most programmes were being implemented through partnerships.
Mupamhanga said 600 youths were involved in poultry and broiler production with the Agriculture ministry and CAMFED, covering Victoria Falls, Chidobe, Sileu, Matetsi, Dete and Makwandara wards.
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“The ministry is currently working on market linkages to help youth to find ready-made markets such as hotels in Victoria Falls. However, they still need to mobilise more youths in the area to take up these projects to satisfy the demand,” Mupamhanga said.
Through World Vision’s Impact Plus project, groups in Jambezi, Nemananga, Sileu and Lupote wards received funding and livestock.
“Each selected group was given 300 chickens. Youth in Jambezi ward were given 30 goats from World Vision,” Mupamhanga said.
He said 72 youths were involved in horticulture supplying Victoria Falls and Hwange Airport, with some forming savings groups to fund boreholes.
Mupamhanga told Parliament that 700 youths had joined village business units under the Ministry of Lands, with 93 units in Hwange and 25% youth membership.
“There are 93 business units in Hwange, with 25% having youth membership,” he said.
He said 300 youths were making bricks from coal ash, and 600 had been trained in construction through partnerships with Silveira House, World Vision, Amalima Loko and others.
Mupamhanga also cited smaller projects, including 15 youths producing honey and 100 youths in cattle rearing and leather production.
Bonda welcomed the update but questioned the government’s direct role.
He said the response focused heavily on partners and asked when the government would build a vocational college in Hwange.
Bonda argued that without certification, youths would remain disadvantaged.
“Those people are without papers, without any certificates. If they move out of Hwange, they remain poor,” Bonda said.
Mupamhanga responded that the government had to work with partners as it faced limited resources.
On the college, he said the proposal would be considered for the 2027 strategy.
Regarding Bonda’s request to construct a vocational training centre, Mupamhanga said it would be put into consideration when the ministry maps its 2027 strategy.
He said the ministry had deliberately focused on Hwange since receiving Bonda’s questions and would return to Parliament with an update on further direct involvement.