Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

The government has revealed that it will resume the National Youth Service program this year to include a culture of service, constructive participation of youths in nation building and keep young people away from drug abuse by offering them training in various programs.

Addressing journalists yesterday at a Post-Cabinet briefing,  the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said the program, which will be re-launched as the Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ) will target youths between  the ages of 18 to 35  to receive training for 6 months.

He said a National Youth Service Bill is being drafted to usher in the return of the program.

“Achievements to date include the National Youth Service Bill being drafted following the approval of the principles in August 2023 and the development of a six-month training programme which will target youths between the ages of 18 and 35.

“The programme, which covers three months of institutionalised training and three months of community attachment, will commence in June 2024 with an enrolment of 750 youths across the country. Those who undergo the training will be issued with certificates on completion of the programme.

“The national youth service programme has been renamed Youth Service in Zimbabwe and 10 000 youths are earmarked to undergo training in 2024.

“The youths will be drawn equally from all the country’s ten provinces. The recruitment will be cascaded to incorporate youths in all wards and districts and the new curriculum will infuse national orientation with life skills training and entrepreneurial development.

“New uniforms, signage and logo have been designed and will be registered and all production units are expected to fully use available land and engage in commercial production units for self-sustenance,” said Dr Muswere.

He said those who take part in the training programme will receive priority in employment and enrolment into the public sector and higher and tertiary education institutions. They  will also  receive priority  for financial support to establish new projects and businesses.

The National Youth Service was first established in 2000 by Border Gezi who was the Minister for Gender, Youth and Employment during that time. Its first training camp was established at Mount Darwin in 2001. Since then, the program has seized to run until in 2021 when government announced plans to re-establish it.