It is indeed a pleasure to join you today as we commemorate the National Youth Day. I commend your massive turn out and attendance, coming from all the ten provinces of our country. This shows your collective commitment to the ongoing building of our motherland, Zimbabwe.

Kuwuya kwenyu nehuwandu, zvoratidza shungu dzenyu pakuda kuvaka nyika yekwedu. Zvinoratidza zvekare kuti munoziva kuti, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, nekunamatirwa nevene vayo”. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe,li-khu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo”. Tinodada nemi vechidiki. Ngazvirambe zvakadaro. 

Pamberi nema youth edu. Pamberi nekuvaka nyika. Pasi nehusimbe. 

Comrades; 

The youth of yester-year played their part to bring about the independence, freedom, peace and unity we are enjoying. You, the youth of today must never shy away from playing your part in the ongoing development initiatives in our country. 

No matter the province you come from, always know that you are all daughters and sons of a united Zimbabwe, one nation, with one vision and destiny. You are all important to the future of our country. Stand tall and be proud of being Zimbabwean and being African. 

I am aware that some of your young Zimbabwean counterparts in the Diaspora are also holding commemorations throughout Africa and abroad. This is commendable. Well done to you all. Hold on to your rich Zimbabwean heritage and know that this country will always be your home. 

The holding of this event here in Mashonaland East Province is in line with my Government’s decision to decentralise all national events. Our ZANU PF Government is from the people and by the people. We shall always be found among our people, hearing, speaking with them and charting the future of our country as a united people. 

Hutungamiri hwe ZANU PF hucharamba huripavanhu, tichikurukura tose, kuti tovaka sei nyika yekwedu, tichifamba pamwe chete. 

This year’s National Youth Day affords us time of reflection, renewal and recommitment to the vital role which the youth play in our country’s ongoing socio-economic development.

As you are aware, the National Youth Day is rooted in lasting values and principles which were championed by our forebears during our protracted struggle against colonialism and the war of liberation. Those values remain alive and must be sustained by you, our young people. These also form the bedrock upon which you must defend our country’s sovereignty, Independence, and freedom, while also advancing unity, development, modernisation and industrialisation. In this regard, never-ever forget that we are masters of our own destiny.

The shameful agenda of saboteurs, sell-outs, and counter-revolutionaries, who seek to advance neo-imperial agenda for ‘a few pieces of silver and false fame’, will never succeed. As a sovereign nation and independent people, we make no apologies for our sacred duty to continuously defend as well as advance our national interest, for our own good and the wellbeing of our people.

Pasi nevatengesi. 

The youth are called upon to remain loyal, patriotic and true to our motherland, Zimbabwe. Kupise, kutonhore, rambayi makamira nenyika yekwedu. Mumire neMusangano wakahunza rusununguko, Musangano nehutungamiri hwe ZANU PF.

I urge the youth across all provinces, to continue to abide by the teachings of ZANU PF and the correct line of the Party. 

Through political education, mobilisation and visibility, continuously win more young people into Party structures. Resist the temptation of being visible only during such commemorations.

I, further, challenge the youth to be always active and always productive; within communities, right up to the national level across all sectors. The targets in our National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 demand young people who are diligent, focused hardworking and patriotic. 

Go ahead and occupy the space. Deliver more results in agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, among SMEs as well as in the science, technology and innovation arena. I have faith and confidence that the current crop of young people of our country are up to the task.

Comrades;

This year’s theme “Youth Agenda for Transformation” is appropriate. For this aspiration to be realised, the ideals of discipline, patriotism, loyalty, resilience, volunteerism and service among our youth, must be continually entrenched. 

To date, Government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, along with other stakeholders are implementing programmes and projects that benefit our youth; leaving no one and no place behind. We are achieving sustainable inclusive development, capacitating and empowering the young people of our country.

The innovations, creativity, and industrious spirit displayed by the youth, which I witnessed during my tour of the exhibitions, were impressive. I was also impressed by the young athletes, artists, and Youth Service graduates who showcased their talents. 

Well-done and congratulations to you all, for the immaculate displays. Makorokoto, Amhlophe.

The Job Fair, which is concurrently taking place at this event, provides valuable insights on career and job opportunities for the youth. To this end, my Government will guarantee that many more of our young people,have access to education, training and empowerment opportunities across different sectors.

Meanwhile, the accomplishments and milestones realised by the youth in various fields confirm that you are indeed becoming architects of Zimbabwe’s future. 

Under my Administration, many of you are embracing projects and programmes for climate smart and modern agriculture, infrastructure development, digital technologies and entrepreneurship.

You are not merely spectators in our ongoing development journey; you are active participants and demonstrating remarkable leadership. 9

What we are witnessing across the country reflects that the quest to Vision 2030 of becoming an ‘empowered and prosperous upper-middle income society,’ is on course. 

Well done. Carry on in this direction, shun finger pointing, bickering and divisive agenda. Organise, mobilise, raise awareness and promote the policies and programmes of the Second Republic. 

I commend the presentation from the Zimbabwe Youth Council which highlighted the challenges affecting the youth. The proposed innovative ideas as well as recommendations are welcome and will be put forward for consideration by the relevant government entities. 

The culture of dialogue and constructive engagement should be nurtured across the board, as we build our motherland. “Where there is unity, the people prosper”. 

I assure you that my Government will tackle the pressing challenges affecting our young people. You are, after all, the future of our country. 

Ladies and Gentlemen; Youth empowerment and development programmes are critical pathways and instruments for inclusive growth. 

They help unlock innovation and entrepreneurial potential among the youth towards enhancing production and productivity as well as increasing household incomes.The National Youth Empowerment Strategy, which I recently launched, aims to effectively address the challenges and opportunities faced by our young people..

The 2026 Budget has allocated significant amount of funding towards Job Creation, Youth Development, Sports, Creative Industries and Culture.

Government is also expanding technical and vocational education to equip you, the youth with relevant, market-driven skills. In keeping with the Vocational Training Transformation Road Map, Youth Service and Vocational Training Centres are being modernised to deliver 21st century capabilities.

This will see infrastructure development and harmonisation of operations across Vocational Training Centres as well as establishment of state-of-the-art Youth Service and Vocational Training Centres.

The new facilities include the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Centre here at Igava and the Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo Centre in Matobo. 

Additionally, the 2026 National Budget, allocated resources to strengthen innovation hubs and the training of young people in cutting-edge digital and industrial skills. I urge more of our young people to acquire these skills and embrace the expanded opportunities, essential for a modernised and industrialised Zimbabwe. 

Under the National Development Strategy 2, initiatives for youth entrepreneurship through access to credit, incentives, incubation programmes along with enhanced support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises are being scaled up. 

Funding has also been provided through the National Venture Capital Company to support start-ups.

Investment in high-demand skills, such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber-security and data analytics, are on course. The expansion of broadband access, setting up digital hubs and rural technology parks are all a priority.

To ensure that skills match industry needs, we will continue to update the national skills audit registry, reform the Technical and Vocational Education Training curricula, expand apprenticeship programmes, and strengthen trade testing infrastructure.

Going forward, I call upon the Public Service Commission, including other Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prioritise the employment of qualified Youth Service graduates.

Finally, to the Youth Service graduates present today, I have been impressed by the presentations you made, and recognise your readiness to wholeheartedly serve our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. This graduation is testimony that the ongoing efforts to combine the Youth Service programme with Vocational Training, are bearing fruit. Well done to you all. Makorokoto. Amhlophe. 

As you go back to your communities, I urge you to serve with integrity, commitment and excellence. Play your part and positively contribute to the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe.

To you, the young people of our country, here at home and in the Diaspora, I call upon you to remain disciplined, loyal and patriotic. Be honest, diligent and innovative. Remain the true vanguard of both our revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF and our country, 

Zimbabwe. Through your language, dress, conduct, hard- work ethic and Pan African culture, always be proud ambassadors of Zimbabwe and Africa. 

Regai Mutoriro, Tumbwa, Mbanje neGuka. Resist, Reject drug and substance abuse. The future of Zimbabwe is in your hands.Together in unity, let us keep marching forward, building a brighter, prosperous future; the Zimbabwe we all want, brick by brick, stone upon stone. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.

With these remarks, I wish the youth of Zimbabwe, happy and memorable National Youth Day Celebrations.

Pamberi ne ZANU PF.

Pamberi neYouth League.

Long live our Youth League.

Pamberi nekubatana.

neGwara reMusangano.

Phambili leZANU PF.

Phambili lokubambana.

Pasi nemhandu.

God bless you all.

God bless Zimbabwe.

I thank you.