Professor Mavima ,National Foods, ZIFA partners to roll out youth empowerment programme in Gokwe Sengwa

SAMANTHA MADE

Gokwe Sengwa Constituency has launched a pioneering Youth Empowerment through Sports Programme, a bold initiative led by Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, in partnership with National Foods Limited and the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). The programme merges skills development with sports empowerment, creating a powerful model for youth transformation and community development.

Launched earlier this month, the initiative marks a major milestone in tackling rural unemployment and promoting sustainable livelihoods through practical training in poultry rearing. The programme aims to equip young people in Gokwe Sengwa with hands-on skills in poultry production—focusing on layers and roadrunners—to enable them to establish viable, income-generating enterprises.

At its core, the project is anchored on the establishment of four poultry training centres across the constituency. Each centre will receive 2,000 layer chickens and benefit from comprehensive training in poultry management, production, and marketing strategies.

Professor Mavima said the initiative was designed to offer both economic empowerment and social stability for the youth.

“Our focus is not only to create jobs but also to ensure that young people acquire skills that will allow them to sustain themselves and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” he said.

He added that the creation of these training centres would serve as direct employment hubs for the youth, helping to address rural poverty while curbing rising social ills.

“Creating employment through these centres is vital. It will keep our youth out of harmful activities by engaging them in income-generating ventures that also contribute to community development,” said Professor Mavima.

Beyond employment creation, the initiative adopts a unique skills-to-sports reinvestment model. Profits generated from the poultry projects will be channelled towards funding local sports, particularly soccer and netball. Gokwe Sengwa boasts 40 soccer teams and 30 netball teams, most of which struggle with funding and resources.

By reinvesting project earnings into these community sports programmes, the initiative ensures sustainable financing for youth engagement in sports. This innovative linkage between enterprise and athletics will strengthen local sports structures, allowing for better-organised leagues and greater participation among the youth.

ZIFA’s involvement aligns the programme with its broader national strategy of promoting grassroots football. The association’s partnership is expected to bring technical expertise and visibility to community-level sports. The initiative thus advances ZIFA’s vision of using sport as a catalyst for youth empowerment and social cohesion.

The project also speaks directly to the growing concerns about substance abuse and unemployment among Zimbabwe’s youth. By providing structured economic opportunities, the programme aims to reduce social vulnerabilities and promote healthier lifestyles.

“When young people are occupied with meaningful work and community activities, the rates of social problems decrease significantly,” said Professor Mavima. “This project creates a positive cycle — skills development leads to employment, which in turn supports community sports and social wellbeing.”

The Gokwe Sengwa Constituency Development Committee, working hand in hand with National Foods and ZIFA, has crafted a comprehensive model that integrates agriculture, employment creation, and sports development. The programme’s sustainability lies in its self-reinforcing ecosystem — skills development generates income, income supports sports, and sports inspire unity and purpose among the youth.

As implementation unfolds, the constituency expects to see significant improvements in household incomes, community cohesion, and youth engagement. The model could become a blueprint for replication across other rural constituencies in Zimbabwe, especially those grappling with youth unemployment and limited recreational opportunities.