The Sunday Mail
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
At a time when the issue of drug abuse, particularly among the youths, has gripped the nation, causing untold suffering, we experienced a breath of fresh air at Nagle House School For Girls in Marondera last Tuesday, when learners in upper sixth and form four expressed great enthusiasm to shape their tomorrow and contributing towards Zimbabwe’s development discourse.
They were visibly excited about the career guidance seminar at the school that gave them an insight into who and what they could become tomorrow.
Their sober participation and desire to learn more showed that the story of our teenagers is not entirely bad. We still have youths who are sober and keen on taking the baton stick to run their race.
Fears of a lost generation have been real but we also have those learners and other youths who are ready to give their all in shaping their lives and those of the nation. We were all in awe. If we get a few more of such youths who are so intentional about their future, then Zimbabwe’s future is bright.
When speakers shared their experiences during the seminar, the learners’ eyes brightened up, as they absorbed the possibilities and opportunities awaiting them once they finish high school.
They asked penetrative questions on how they could become business owners, human resources managers, bankers, journalists and much more. They are choosing a brighter tomorrow and are determined not to let marijuana and crystal meth steal their future.
This experience got us thinking that career guidance is critical right from the tender age as it opens up possibilities that their young minds might not be seeing. Most times, it does not matter the challenges that confront them as long as they can decide to keep their eyes on the ball, focusing on what tomorrow holds.
These career guidance opportunities have not been accessed by many. We have some who simply were not advised. Many went off-rail while others took up careers that were not exactly their choices. It is always a difficult proposition when we do not guide our youths.
We suggest that career guidance must actually be a subject on its own in high school. These youths have academic subjects to think about, but more than half the time, they do not know what to do with their lives.
We need to have an ethos that identifies talent and predisposition. Everyone has a gift and they simply need to find it.
One cannot conceivably do well in an area they are not gifted in. It does not do well to self-esteem. It does not do much to self-confidence either. Essentially, we need to guide our youths. It is something we are obliged to do.
It is essential to work hard, to be industrious. Some youths seem to think that things come easy, that they do not have to work hard or position themselves correctly. For some, its sheer laziness, but for others its ignorance of possibilities, hence a guiding hand is essential.
Mentorship is important. One does not need to go through it to see it. We all learn from others.
It was probably that Heinz CEO who remarked that we are so tall because we stand on the shoulders of others. Nothing is achieved independently.
Egos come in the way for some. We listen and learn from others who have trodden the road. I do not know of leaders or top performers who have gone it alone. They all have mentors, which is why we need to train our youths, to guide them, inspire them and point in the direction that best suits them.
There is no one they can look up to except us. One needs not necessarily be a parent. There are multiple role models all over. In our actions, in all we do, we set examples, hopefully not bad ones.
So, our youths need to be focused. There are no two ways about it. Unflinching focus is what will make or create the leaders for tomorrow. It was the head of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who famously remarked that our youths are not our future, but our present. It is how we handle them today that will count.
We have discussed drug and substance abuse. Its a tragedy. We cannot let that happen under our watch. They simply destroy lives and futures. Let us give the young ones better alternatives.
What characteristics should our kids have? Discipline is one. They need to walk the straight and narrow path.
Importantly, they need to delay gratification.
We have very capable human resources personnel. Career guidance is a simple matter. Schools can employ, even on a part time basis, those so endowed to lead it.
It is critical. Let us also catch them young to avoid the many that mourn that they made wrong career choices.
They did not have guidance. They were flying solo. We need not have that. We must give the kids advice and direction and this will serve posterity well.
We have spoken about sciences. But if a child is not gifted in that area, find out what their gift is. Marketing and psychology inform us about self-actualisation, made famous by Henry Maslow.
One cannot go far without reaching full potential.
To achieve much requires a whole lot of characteristics. I alluded to focus and industry. I will also talk about fortitude.
The world we live in has many challenges. If we fail at some stage, we need to rise up again. It was Donald Trump, former US President who was asked by a journalist the reason for his success. He said that he was successful because he had failed a lot. That is actually not an oxymoron.
For all his faults, he was spot on. Failure points one in the right direction. It tells one what not to do. You might remember those guys who introduced the global positioning system (GPS).
No one believed in their idea. But we all use it in our cars now. They went to 79 places looking for funding but were turned down by all these.
Only on the 80th approach did they succeed. That takes me to perseverance. Nothing comes easy. This must be inculcated in our youths, some of whom think the world owes them. It does not.
Perseverance is an admirable attribute. Never give up and never surrender. It goes to pedigree. What makes a man or woman? In part, staying power. One never knows how far they could have gone once they give up.
All the attributes are taught in school. The young ones simply have to listen.
Nagle House School was a blast. As I looked at the audience, made up of young girls, l knew the obligation we have as parents, guardians, mentors and all of us.
As said by all the speakers on the day, we must devote time and resources to guide our youths and give counsel and direction. Outside of that, it will be dereliction of duty. We have an obligation to them. After all, they look to us for inspiration and direction. What would that make us if we do not act on it.
Career guidance in schools would be my advice. The Adam Molai Foundation that hosted the Nagle House School seminar did well. Let us complement the efforts.
In God I trust!
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.
