By Margaret Kamba
The career guidance initiative by Zimbabwe's First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has come at an opportune time and is crucial for the country's growth and development agenda.
This initiative coupled with other initiatives among them the adoption of Education 5.0 will help Zimbabwe achieve a middle income society by the year 2030 if not earlier.
Faced with drug and substance abuse, child-headed families, victims of sexual abuse amongst other vices, it is crucial that the young people not only find role models but access to career guidance in order to fit into the global village as well as open their minds to the endless opportunities of how they can immensely contribute to Zimbabwe's economic growth.
Biblical scriptures say train up a child in a way that he should go so that he never departs from it. Cultural proverbs for example in Ndebele, they say "isigogo sigoqwa sisemanzi" and all these instill the need to groom children at a tender age.
Writing on her Twitter handle, Her Excellency said "I am looking forward to launching my new programme dubbed "The First Lady's Career Guidance: Sustainability into generations" a first-of-its- kind career guidance, deportment, etiquette and grooming programme targeting children aged eight to fourteen years. I will be working with relevant ministries and high-achievers to inspire the children and future generations. The programme will also help tackle a host of challenges like drug abuse and dropping out from school affecting the children and society today."
The launch of the First Lady's National School Children Career Guidance Program at the Reserve Bank Sports Club was attended by two thousand children drawn from 100 schools.
With speakers from different professions including Government Departments and private sector sharing their life stories this was ideal in motivating the pupils.
Present were representatives from the Engineering, Military, Health, ICT, Aviation, Business among others. The event was also graced by all the ten Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and other government officials.
The program is expected to be decentralised to the other Provinces.