The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
THOUSANDS of youths from across the country’s 10 provinces are expected to attend the National Youth Day celebrations that will be headlined by President Mnangagwa at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo on Wednesday.
Celebrated every year on February 21, the national holiday is the late former President Cde Robert Mugabe’s date of birth.
It seeks to honour his legacy and encourage youths to adopt sound leadership values by emulating the ethos espoused by national liberators.
This year’s celebrations are running under the theme “Positioning youth empowerment and development towards Vision 2030”.
Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said preparations for the National Youth Day are over 80 percent complete.
“Our event this time round is going to be celebrated in Masvingo at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre. Last time it was celebrated in Lupane.
“This time we decided to do the celebrations in Masvingo, as we rotate the provinces, so that we make sure that we leave no one and no place unattended.
“We have reached 80 percent in terms of preparation. We expect to finalise all preps by Monday (tomorrow),” Minister Machakaire said.
He said President Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour and the commemorations will be the first interaction between the Head of State and youths after the 2023 harmonised elections.
“We expect the youth of Zimbabwe to come in their numbers to interact with the President.
“The President will have a full package for the youth, hence they need to come in their numbers.
“We have changed the way we do things since the beginning of this year as youths. We saw it fit that we host this function at that vocational training centre. This centre has many opportunities to offer for the youth.
“When they come here, we want them to see the importance of learning to do these jobs that can provide them with these opportunities and piece jobs to uplift themselves,” he said.
