Minister Machakaire Advances Inclusive Youth Development Under Vision 2030

Takudzwa Karowangoro

Honourable Tino Machakaire, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, has emerged as a strong and committed advocate for Zimbabwe’s young people. Since assuming office, he has focused on practical solutions aimed at equipping youths with skills, opportunities and confidence to actively contribute to national development.

One of Minister Machakaire’s most notable achievements has been his push to expand vocational training across the country. Under his leadership, Government announced plans to establish at least one Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in every district under the Education 5.0 framework. This initiative is in line with Vision 2030, which seeks to ensure that no one is left behind as Zimbabwe moves towards becoming an upper middle-income economy.

This bold move is set to transform the lives of many young people, especially those in rural areas, by giving them access to hands-on skills in areas such as mechanics, ICT, dressmaking and agriculture. These skills not only improve employability but also encourage entrepreneurship and self-reliance, key pillars of both NDS1 and the ongoing transition to NDS2.

The Minister has also played a key role in the revival and rebranding of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme. The programme focuses on building disciplined, skilled and socially responsible young citizens through training in civic education, environmental management, entrepreneurship and life skills. More than 831 youths have already graduated, showing the growing impact of the initiative. Importantly, the programme also supports national efforts to fight drug and substance abuse, which remains a major threat to youth development.

To strengthen service delivery and ensure inclusivity, Minister Machakaire welcomed the deployment of new vehicles for district development officers. This has improved the ministry’s ability to reach young people in remote communities, ensuring that empowerment programmes are not limited to urban areas but benefit youths across the country.

In addition, Minister Machakaire has been instrumental in rolling out national youth empowerment strategies aimed at coordinating skills development, entrepreneurship and youth participation in economic activities. These strategies promote opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, arts, tourism and manufacturing, aligning youth development with the goals of NDS1 and NDS2.

Through his hands-on leadership and people-centred approach, Minister Tino Machakaire continues to give hope to young Zimbabweans. His work reflects a strong commitment to Vision 2030, ensuring inclusive growth where every young person has a role to play in building a skilled, productive and empowered Zimbabwe.