Young Africa Zimbabwe

"People told me Motor Mechanics was not for women. I decided to prove them wrong. I was the only trainee in my group to walk out with a full-time job. Now I support my mother and my siblings, and every spanner and socket set I buy brings me closer to opening my own garage. Three years from now you will see me employing other young women and running a successful garage here in Cowdray Park."

Gugulethu Moyo,
SYRP Graduate Bulawayo (Motor Mechanics)

SERVE Irish Aid

50 young people in Beitbridge receive start-up kits

Fifty young people in Beitbridge received start-up kits to help them put their vocational skills to work and grow their businesses.

The distribution is part of the post-graduate support services offered through the Skills2Live and SRHR Knows No Borders programme, implemented by Young Africa Zimbabwe in partnership with IOM Zimbabwe, with support from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.

A total of 430 young people were trained and 401 graduated from the programme. Following assessments to identify graduates with the potential to run and grow businesses, 50 were selected to receive start-up kits.

For Ndamulelo, the kit means having her own tools instead of borrowing from a former classmate and sometimes losing clients when the tools were needed elsewhere.

For Decent Kwinika, a larger gas stove means he can take on more baking orders after previously struggling with an oven that could only handle one tray at a time.

The training may have ended, but the support continues. Thanks to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique for funding this initiative.

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

What happens when someone is given a second chance to learn?

Gift, 35, joined Skills2Live training at Mt Darwin Correctional Facility to learn Motor Vehicle Mechanics.

Before prison, Gift had a degree. Through Skills2Live, he gained practical and life skills to complement his education and prepare him for employment and entrepreneurship.

“When I come out of prison, I now know how to live an honest life and to earn with dignity. I will create employment for others.”

This is why Young Africa takes skills training into correctional facilities.

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to build a future through employability and entrepreneurship.



Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training

NEW DATE. SAME ENERGY. FREE ENTRY! 🎉

The Silver Jubilee Arts Festival is happening on 19 September 2026 at the Aquatic Complex, Chitungwiza and everyone is invited.

Get ready for a celebration of talent, creativity and the incredible spirit of Zimbabwe’s youth.

🔵 Live music, dance, drama and poetry
🔵 Youth enterprise marketplace
🔵 Fashion, cosmetology, digital art and more
🔵 Arts competitions with prizes for top performers

25 years of Young Africa Chitungwiza Centre calls for a celebration this big. Save the date. Bring your people. Let’s celebrate.

Why this graduation matters

One graduate is never just one graduate. Behind every one of the 693 graduates is a family, a guardian and a community that helped them get here. There are also employers who need their skills and businesses that will benefit from what they have learned.

To the parents and guardians who invested in their children’s future, and to the communities of Chitungwiza, Epworth, Hatcliff and Kuwadzana who trusted Young Africa with their young people, thank you.

And to our funding partners, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique, Oak Foundation, and the partnership of the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, thank you for supporting our work over the past 25 years.

The ceremony lasted a few hours. What these graduates learned will travel much further.

#𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Skills on Display

Graduation day wasn't only about certificates.

His Excellency Matthijs van Eeuwen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, toured the Young Africa marketplace, meeting graduates and students and seeing their innovations first-hand.

He asked questions. They demonstrated their work. Ideas turned into conversations.

This is what skills look like in action.



Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe Oak Foundation Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

Today, His Excellency Matthijs van Eeuwen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, joined us as our Guest of Honour as we celebrated 693 graduates.

During his address, he reflected:

"As the Netherlands, we are proud to support this holistic work. As you get ready to take the next steps, stay connected, let this be the beginning. Share opportunities, knowledge and help each other the way you were helped."

His message comes at an important moment.

Zimbabwe has a young population with enormous potential. But potential needs pathways into work, enterprise, further learning and meaningful participation in the economy.

Today’s graduates have taken one step. The work now is to make sure there are opportunities for the next one.

With the right partnerships, skills become livelihoods, businesses and opportunities.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Oak Foundation Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

49.2% of Zimbabwe's young people aged 15 to 35 were not in employment, education or training in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 2025 Second Quarter Labour Force Survey Report).

Today, 693 young people are graduating from Young Africa Zimbabwe with practical skills they can take into the world of work.
They spent six months in training, 70% practical and 30% theory, followed by a minimum of four months of industrial attachment.
From solar and electrical work to motor mechanics, garment construction, catering, plumbing and more.

They learned by doing. They trained for the real world. That is the YA way.



Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training

What can a skill do?

It can wire a building. Install solar. Repair a vehicle. Build a wall. Make a garment. Prepare food. Fix a pipe. Care for a child. And it is the first step towards an income or a business.

Tomorrow, 693 young people from Chitungwiza, Epworth, Kuwadzana, Glenview and Hatcliff will graduate from Young Africa Zimbabwe.

His Excellency Matthijs van Eeuwen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, will join us as Guest of Honour. This graduation is made possible with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.



Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken@