Source: 500 graduates empowered through skills training programme in Mudzi District – herald
Blessing Chidhakwa
Herald Reporter
AT least 500 people have graduated with certificates after completing a Government-supported basic skills training programme aimed at fostering economic empowerment and combating drug and substance abuse in Mudzi District.
The initiative, facilitated by the Tonganyika Trust in partnership with Mudzi West Member of Parliament Knowledge Kaitano, covered a variety of practical courses including welding, baking, detergent production, cutting and designing and driving.
The programme is part of the Zanu PF-led Government’s broader vision to empower people by equipping them with life skills that support entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.
The graduates promised to do meaningful work from what they learned. There are dreams of opening businesses and serving the community.
“I have been dreaming of becoming a professional caterer. This is it. I have made it.
“I now know that I will become a top-notch caterer who will transform the Mudzi West landscape. We thank our MP Knowledge Kaitano and the Tonganyika Trust.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have gotten this far,” said one of the graduates, Patience Chasakara.
“I am grateful for this opportunity. I received training in cutting and designing, hence I am looking forward to starting sewing clothes and uniforms around this area. My mother already has a sewing machine and this training came at the right time.”
“I want to appreciate the efforts being done by our Member of Parliament Honourable Kaitano. We were mobilised throughout the constituency and this basic training is now our foundation, either we further our studies or start income-generating projects, hence we feel empowered today,” a graduate from the programme said.
The training programme is part of efforts to empower communities and fight the drug and substance abuse scourge and to reduce gender-based violence.
Kaitano said the initiative is a means to create a society that has the potential to change lives.
“To the congregation, to the graduates, I say there is a mantra by the President of this country Dr E.D. Mnangagwa: Leaving no one and no place behind.
“Mudzi District is one of the districts that previously was left behind but since the advent of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, we have seen that we are now being included in the development of this country.
“So we are happy that people have participated, they are being involved.
These initiatives will surely improve their livelihoods.
That will help achieve Vision 2030, where, as a country, we aim to be an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“So our people are now being involved and we are looking forward to their continuous improvement in their livelihoods.
“We are looking forward to them being able to send their children to school, to be there building schools for that matter, being able to buy food, being able to buy clothes, being able to feed the nation and do whatever they want to do with their own livelihoods. So we are happy,” said Kaitano.
“Empowerment initiatives remain critical in ensuring the development of our communities.
“We have been engaging the Tonganyika Trust to equip our people with skills because it is very important given the threats of drug and substance abuse among our youths and gender-based violence in communities.
“Now that they have received this training, some of them will be able to take care of their families and start small businesses,” added Kaitano.
Tonganyika Trust, an organisation formed by the Deputy Tourism Minister who is also Hunyani legislator, Tongai Mnangagwa, is spearheading various community initiatives across the country.
“We offer various courses and we have been moving around the country partnering with various organisations and individuals.
“This is not our first time here in Mudzi South working with Honourable Kaitano. The goal is to ensure empowerment of our people,” Tonganyika Trust National Coordinator Kudakwashe Ushe said.
Empowerment skills training remains one of the government’s priorities, hence the setting up of vocational training centres across the country and the involvement of rural communities in various development programmes.
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