Youth Economic Empowerment Dialogue Session in Bulawayo.
BVTA Partnership
Bulava Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) in partnership with Plan International held a dialogue session on Youth Economic Empowerment policies and opportunities. The event was held on the 17th of May 2023 at Bulawayo Club which was aimed at getting feedback on the Youth Model Policy that was submitted to the City of Bulawayo in 2022.
The Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Mlandu Ncube, acknowledged the Youth Model Policy and stated that it has been adopted by City of Bulawayo. However, it is still undergoing consultation and input from other concerned and relevant stakeholders.
Youth Model Policy
Mr Ncube said, “Youth Model Policy was received by the mayor and myself and it was circulated accordingly. As you know council is a local government and it has so many departments and so many statutes that need to be looked into that must consider the Policy.”
Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation
Moreover, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation representative Siphiwe Moyo unpacked the National Youth Policy, which has 4 main thematic areas that are skills and education, Entrepreneurship and employment, governance and participation.
According to the National Youth Policy, young people must be custodians of their own development, respect their parents and guardians, and participate in citizen duties.
Additionally, speaking on the difficulties facing young people today, Siphiwe Moyo from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation emphasised the lack of essential skills, highlighting that only 20% of young people nationwide currently have adequate training.
Lack of Skills
To add, “one of the big problems is that they lack skill. Only 20 percent of the youths nationally are able to train for skill,” said Moyo. She added, “There is need to review Curriculum and introduce courses that appeal to the labour market so that they get employed.”
Commenting on how best youth can be empowered, Moyo suggested engagement of young people as partners and inclusion of persons with disability for example introducing sign language at vocational training centres.
Youth Innovation Trust
Youth Innovation Trust Managing Director, Thando Gwinji urged the implementation of the Youth Model Policy and addressing of needs and challenges facing informal workers.
“Young informal traders are in need of facilities such as toilets, a friendly operating environment, investment and access to capital to become fully economically empowered,” said Gwinji.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association
BVTA Communications and Information Officer, Kwanele Moyo, implored for the implementation of the Youth Model Policy. She stated that young people need opportunities to empower themselves and contribute to the growth and development of Bulawayo.
She also emphasised the crucial need to provide young people with opportunities to contribute to the progression and development of Bulawayo.
Youths Encouraged to Organise
Commenting on the way forward on how young people can be empowered, Ward 22 Councillor, Rodney Jele encouraged young people to take charge of Youth Centres and organise themselves to acquire land for projects,
Lastly, the session ended with a call to action to develop policies that empower young people and enable them to participate in decision-making. Stakeholders called for authorities to implement policies that empower young people and involve them in decision making.
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