News

By Podzani Tshuma

In 2022, Bhekinkosi Ncube, a young entrepreneur from Bezu in Ward 3, Bulilima, identified a need for skilled
welding services in his community.

With a vision to create employment opportunities for local youth, he established Bheki Steel Craft, a small
welding and fabrication business.

The growth of Bhekinkosi’s business has been driven by determination and hard work.

“I have noticed how unemployment has affected youths in my community, so my work seeks to bring
encouragement and motivation,” said the Entrepreneur.

He has been able to hire an assistant, bringing him closer to his goal of creating jobs for young people in his
community.

“I want my business to grow and become a big company in my community, creating more employment for
young people,” Bhekinkosi says.

Bhekinkosi has participated in financial literacy training and a Market Fair/Summit under the Young
Entrepreneurs Zimbabwe Arise (YEZA), a USAID supported project that has equipped him with valuable
knowledge on scaling up his business, managing his finances, identifying business opportunities and
networking opportunities.

These skills have positioned him for future success and growth.

As Bheki’s Steel Crafts continues to thrive, Bhekinkosi’s story serves as a testament to the power of
entrepreneurship and determination.

Podzani Tshuma is a Business Graduate Trainee for Matobo Youth Development Initiative (MYDI) operating in Bulilima
District for the YEZA project. MYDI is the implementing partner together with Regional PsychoSocial Support Initiative
(REPSSI) and is funded by USAID. For entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Bulilima who want to take part in the program
can reach Podzani at podzani@matoboyouth.org

By Sasha Ndebele and Fiona Mpofu

A group of seven young people from Ward 8 have taken the initiative to give back to their community by volunteering their time to improve their local school.

“We were excited to take part in the painting of toilets and  construction of a goat house when our school presented the opportunity,” highlighted one of the youths Mandlenakhe Nyathi.

The young volunteers offered to build a goat shelter at Nhlupho primary school and paint the recently constructed school toilets saving the institute valuable funds.

The young volunteers have already set their sights on their next project, repairing the school fence. This ongoing commitment to community service highlights the potential of young people to make a positive impact.

“It was a hands-on learning experience that taught us valuable skills and allowed us to contribute meaningfully to our community,” he added

Nolwazi Dube, a youth who also participated, emphasized that volunteering has taught them that waiting for others to take action can hinder development.

She stressed the importance of taking the initiative and contributing to community improvement whenever possible.

“We learnt as a group that nothing is impossible when youths are determined to build their community,” said Nolwazi.

Precious Sibanda, the chairperson of the Nhlupho Primary School Development Committee, commended the youth for their selfless act.

 “The youths did an excellent job, demonstrating their commitment to community development,” she said.

“Youth participation was high because the youths involved were well informed and enthusiastic about the initiative,” added Mandlenakhe Nyathi. 

These youths participated in the Strengthening Institutions Youth Agency (SIYA) project which was implemented by Matobo Youth Development Initiative.

The project seeks to strengthen leadership structures and to promote meaningful and active participation in community development by complementing existing developmental projects in Matobo.

By Dennis Ndlovu

YOUTHS from Ward 7 in Mtsuli village have resolved to meet regularly to work on a leaking dam wall in their community.

The youths have decided to come together after discussions initiated in a #Youth4Integrity WhatsApp group coordinated by MYDI where they have resolved to actively participate in community development projects in their community.

Charity Ndlovu, a youth leader from Mtsuli village highlighted that they took note of the leaking dam in their community and how if ignored for long would result in the loss of the precious resource in the next rainy season.

“We noticed that our dam wall was leaking and during the rainy season this could result in us losing more water or the wall itself hence we resolved to fix that as the youth,” Charity explained.

Agnes Ndlovu, another youth from the same village, said the group embarked on a collaborative effort to repair the dam wall by digging a 1-meter-deep trench and filling it with stones and then left a space to fill it in with concrete.

“We have since resolved to contribute R20 each to buy cement that will be used to make concrete that will fill up the hole to ensure that the seal is strong to stop the water from leaking,” added Agnes.

Maqhawe Ncube said beyond the practical benefits of the project, they have also experienced personal growth as young people.

“This has taught us the power of teamwork, that if we work together, we can achieve a lot and address most of the challenges that we face in our village,” he said.

“Working on such initiatives as youths helps keep the mind busy hence, we will have little to no time to commit crime or do drugs,” said Charity Ndlovu.

The successful dam wall repair is a testament to the potential of youth involvement in community development and it is hoped that this initiative will inspire other young people in the area to act and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

The work done by these youths now has a ripple effect as it has motivated young people in Nhlupho village to take part in the construction of Nhlupho Clinic and the youths of Tshiphisane village to take part in the construction of Mabisi Primary School in Ward 8.

Building a brighter future together! Tune into our latest podcast where Nkosinathi Ndlovu from Matobo District helps us unpack the secrets of creating thriving communities.

#Matobo Develop

By Dennis Ndlovu

MATOBO youth from ward 8 have demonstrated the power of working together to address challenges they face in their communities.

Inspired by their experiences at the Matobo Youth Development Initiative (MYDI) Youth Incubation Center and on different discussions on #Youth4Integrity platforms, the young people from Bidi village saw the need to fix a damaged bridge.

Following an assessment on issues affecting their community, they realized that vehicles were avoiding using the bridge as it was damaged, some were even avoiding using the stretch of road altogether, which was
cutting off the business center.

Speaking to this publication, Sakhile Ndebele, a young lady from Bidi village, highlighted that the road was in a bad state that even large vehicles were having a tough time crossing the bridge.

“We noticed that even buses were struggling to cross the bridge and trucks delivering supplies had stopped reaching some business centers because they could not access this road” Sakhile said.

Undeterred by the scale of the challenge, the youth rallied together to address the issue. “A WhatsApp group with local youths was used to mobilize and 32 young people came through, they all contributed their time voluntarily,” Sakhile added.

The successful completion of the bridge repair has already yielded positive results. “With the bridge fixed, we have noticed that buses are now crossing with ease and the trucks that had stopped delivering have now resumed their delivery service,” Sakhile reported.

A young man from Bidi village, Sibonelo Khuphe, highlighted that partaking in this initiative has helped him appreciate the power of unity of youths in a community.

“Working together for a common good in your community actually yields good results and indeed better one’s area of residence,” added Sibonelo.

While the youths’ dedication is commendable, the need for further skill development has been highlighted.

Claudette Ndlovu, another youth, emphasized, “The youths do need to be equipped with skills to ensure that they can do these interventions on a greater scale.”

She added that there is a need to engage the youth on a regular basis to ensure that they do not lose this momentum.

The ward 8 youth’s initiative serves as an inspiration to other communities, demonstrating that with determination and collaboration, young people can be catalysts for positive change.

“The work that was done by the youth in our community is plausible, there is a need for us as the elders to engage them so that they do not lose the momentum,” shared the Advisor to the village Headman, Mr Gabriel Ndebele on one of the community WhatsApp groups.

By Dennis Ndlovu

Recently trained peer educators in Matobo district have pledged to raise awareness on drug and substance abuse effects in their communities.

Trained peer educator in Matobo, Mthelisi Ndlovu, has vowed to hold conversations with young men in different spaces where they meet.
“I intend to connect with school dropouts, have conversation with them, and share crucial information about the risks associated with drugs and substance abuse,” said Mthelisi.

Through this, he believes sharing his knowledge and experiences can make a positive impact on their lives and help them make informed decisions.

Another trained peer educator, Given Ndlovu, highlighted that he will reach out to young people from the Seventh Day Adventist church.

Through the engagements, he looks forward to educating the youth on root causes of drug and substance abuse.

“I intend to educate them on causes and effects of drug and substance abuse and what the youths are supposed to do to avoid indulging in them,” added Given Ndlovu.

The Assistant Field Officer at Sikhethimpilo, Lerato Ngulube, highlighted that the training organized in collaboration with Department of Social Development (DSD), Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Eagle’s Wings aimed to leverage on the power of peer-to-peer engagements.

“Through engaging with their peers, these trained educators can uncover hidden information about the challenges young people face that may lead to the abuse of drugs,” said Lerato Ngulube.

Various attempts have been made to address the challenge of drugs and substance abuse in the district. In 2023, Matobo Youth Development Initiative (MYDI) in partnership with the DSD convened a stakeholder meeting to discuss the increase in drugs and substance abuse in Maphisa Growth Point.

In March 2024, Matobo Youth Development Initiative made efforts to raise awareness on drug and substance abuse through a march in partnership with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church in Maphisa Growth Point.

by Andile Thebe

Meet Humphry Moyo, a proud young farmer who is satisfying the needs of people in his community and beyond with products from his small plot.

He has been producing horticulture products since October 2023 in Matobo district, Ward 8, Tshiphisani village after he noticed a shortage of vegetables in his area.

“The agricultural products that I harvest from my land has helped me take care of my family,” said Moyo.

He said the gains have assisted him to pay his bills such as school fees for his kids and has ensured he expands his
business.

The harvest that comes from Moyo’s land includes maize, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages and onions which are the most consumed products in his community.

Humphry’s knowledge lies in the wisdom of the local farmers in the community as he has been an attentive
student, absorbing invaluable insights from seasoned farmers.

This blend of traditional knowledge and modern farming techniques has been instrumental in his success.

“I seek expertise from the local farmers as I have noticed that they hold knowledge that has been gained from experience be it of traditional or modern methods of producing crops,” he explained.

Moyo underlined that all sectors have their own challenges, and he has had to deal with his own fair share where his tomato crop was affected by the winter frost.

“In winter, I used a sail to try and protect my tomatoes however, due to the low temperatures some were affected,” said Humphry Moyo. “I was also affected by aphids and to deal with this I used ash and at times pesticides.” He added.

Humphry envisions a future where his farm is a catalyst for economic growth and youth empowerment in the region.

His goal is to expand his operations and create sustainable employment opportunities for the local community and he has already taken the first steps, employing five people on a part-time basis.

“There is a need for entrepreneurs to work together and complement each other’s efforts and to acquire more skills on leadership,” stressed Moyo.

Humphry is an entrepreneur who is enrolled in the Young Entrepreneurs of Zimbabwe Arise (YEZA) program, which seeks to nurture and support young people in business by offering business management trainings, financial literacy support and avail opportunities for growth.

Developing urban areas face the challenge of managing waste at the beginning, as it is an expensive
endeavour which requires careful and comprehensive planning and implementation.

In rural areas, it has been noted that the issue of waste management is a challenge for business centres,
where all are failing to collect and dispose of waste properly. In all these areas, waste is just disposed
haphazardly, and this waste is usually washed away to open water bodies.

Some of the innovative ways in which waste can be sorted out is through designating a dumpsite or landfill
even before any construction of a business centre has been done. This will ensure that when people start to
occupy the area, there is already a site where they can dispose waste.

It should be mandatory for all business premises and households to have litter bins, so that the waste
that they generate should be separated so that plastic, glass, and organic matter are placed in different
containers and disposed differently.

Community clean-up campaigns must be conducted at regular intervals and everyone within that area
must be involved. This will help in instilling a culture of cleanliness and proper waste management as it
will be a burden for everyone to ensure that there is no littering.

Making use of environmental committees and village and ward level environmental officers to ensure that
people adhere to the rules and regulations of the land. Improper waste management will be an offence.

Conducting education and awareness campaigns on the principles of waste recovery which include
reducing waste generation, choosing products with minimal packaging and avoid using single-use items.

People should also be taught to use items multiple times, repair, and maintenance, using reusable bags,
containers and water bottles. Plastic bags and mineral water bottles are some of the popular products that
litter the environment.

Investing in recycling is the most important waste recovery strategy as it presents a potential for waste to
become a source of income. Different methods and products have been formed from different forms of
waste, however, this requires investment and innovation.

For people to manage waste properly, they must play their role as individuals and as a community, it is
often our responsibility as a community and as individuals to know where the waste that we generate ends. @costa_cnm

RENOWNED cyclist Meli Ndlovu has issued a fervent call for parents to take an active role in combating
the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse among young people.

Ndlovu recently completed an 845km cycling journey from South Africa to Zimbabwe in July 2024 as
part of his awareness campaign against drug and substance abuse. During the ride, he engaged with
communities and schools to highlight the dangers of substance misuse and encourage preventive
measures.

“The youth of today are facing unprecedented challenges, including the alarming rate of drug abuse,”
Ndlovu said. “Many are influenced by peer pressure and lack of parental guidance. We need to foster
stronger parent-child relationships to address this crisis.”

Ndlovu emphasized the importance of open communication between parents and children, saying, “It’s
crucial for parents to create a safe space for their children to share their thoughts and feelings without fear
of judgment, early intervention is key to preventing drug abuse.”

Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Matobo district officer, Mr
Lovious Khumalo, praised Ndlovu’s efforts, stating, “His dedication to raising awareness about drug abuse
is commendable, we need more individuals like him to inspire our youth and promote healthier and
productive lifestyles.”

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has warned of the severe consequences of drug abuse, including
mental health issues, increased violence, and economic hardship. The government is urging communities
to work together to address this pressing problem.

As Ndlovu prepares for his next ambitious challenge, a 10,000km cycle from Cape to Cairo, he remains
committed to his anti-drug campaign, believing that education and community involvement are essential
in creating a drug-free society.