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Minister Sithembiso Nyoni

Bianca Mlilo, Business Reporter
GWELUTSHENA could soon be turned into a furniture manufacturing hub in Nkayi district if efforts to establish a carpentry training school in the area go as planned.

Nkayi North MP, who is also Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, is spearheading the project, which is aimed at enhancing skills development and business growth in the constituency.

Nyoni visited the business centre on Friday to meet villagers and committees that will coordinate the project on the ground.

The minister conducted an inspection of the equipment for the proposed institution, which was housed in a makeshift warehouse.

She said the machinery will be electric-powered hence the need to construct proper structures for conducting lessons.

Nyoni handed over 100,000 bricks and 40 tonnes of cement to kick start the project.

She said she has engaged her Energy and Power Development counterpart, Samuel Undenge and Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training, Josiah Hungwe to assist in the project.

The psychomotor ministry is responsible for linking primary and secondary education to the country’s tertiary and vocational training needs so that Zimbabwe produces educated and productive personnel.

“That building there (warehouse) was built by our very own sons and they’ll build more because they’re now qualified. They’ll also help in the construction of the shops that will be built right where we’re gathered,” said Nyoni.

She said Nkayi North was home to a number of income generating projects for youth development.

“Forty two of the district’s youths were trained as security guards and now provide security to government institutions like CMED,” she said.

Nyoni said another group was trained in bricklaying and constructed the structure that houses the carpentry school, while others will be engaged in mining, livestock rearing, bee-keeping and offering driving lessons.