MINISTER of Youth Empowerment, Honourable Tinoda Machakaire, has urged young people to refrain from drug abuse and instead focus on personal development and entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony for Ruwa and Chitungwiza Vocational Centres, as well as the launch of the Ruwa Social Innovation Hub this Friday in Harare, Minister Machakaire encouraged youths to put their skills to use and avoid harmful substances.
“Reject the allure of drugs and destructive habits. Guard your future with the same commitment that brought you here. Let your skills be your shield, your creativity your compass, and your community your cause,” he said.
Zimbabwe continues to grapple with rising drug abuse, with statistics indicating that approximately 57% of the youth population is involved in some form of substance use.
This year’s graduation ran under the theme: “Innovate, Digitalize, and Enterprise: Training and Skills Development Combating Drug and Substance Abuse.”
Minister Machakaire described the theme as a timely call to action for both young people and stakeholders to unite in the fight against drug abuse.
“This theme is not merely a slogan; it is a call to action. It speaks to the core of our national youth agenda and aligns with our Ministry’s vision to create empowered, skilled, and productive young Zimbabweans who contribute meaningfully to Vision 2030,” he added.
As part of the same event, the Minister also officially launched the Ruwa Social Innovation Hub, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of climate-conscious innovators and entrepreneurs. The hub was established in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, the Zimbabwe Youth Council, ZB Bank, the European Union, and UNICEF.
UNICEF Representative Ms. Etona Ekole commended Minister Machakaire for his leadership and stressed the importance of collective action.
“This hub shows what is possible when government, private sector, public partners, and young people work together what we call in UNICEF a Public-Private-Youth Partnership (PPYP),” she said.
Ms. Ekole emphasized that the hub is part of a broader solution to challenges facing young people, such as drug abuse and unemployment.
“The Ruwa Social Innovation Hub should not be a one-off investment. It should be the start of a movement a network of hubs across provinces, integrated into the vocational training system, so that no young person is left behind. UNICEF is committed to supporting this vision through partnerships, technical expertise, evidence generation, and resources,” she said.
