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Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter

A Bulawayo youth, Mr Isheanesu Mpofu (22), is now designing graphics for small companies and churches, thanks to the Bulawayo Learn and Earn Digital skills project.

Plan International, World Food Programme and the National University of Science Technology (Nust) partnered with Government in empowering more than 150 youths from Bulawayo through teaching them digital skills.

The youths graduated on Wednesday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds after being trained at two innovation hubs that were set up in Pumula and Thorngrove suburbs.

The Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzi Phuti officiated during the Bulawayo Learn and Earn Digital Skills Project graduation ceremony that was also attended by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube.

The best achievers were awarded with Samsung tablets by the World Food Programme which will help them to continue with their digital projects.

Nust formulated the curriculum and facilitated the lectures.

The digital skills that they were taught under the five months training include web designing, graphic designing and graphic application.

More than 700 youths applied for the programme and only 200 were shortlisted and got the opportunity to be trained.

Mr Mpofu said he heard about the call for applications for the programme in January but was a bit hesitant to apply as he thought the advert was fake.

He said after finally applying, in February this year he was told to go to the Pumula Innovation Hub to be trained.

“I underwent the training for five months. It was a hard but fun journey that we went through. I am now well equipped to such an extent that I can even make my own designs without supervision,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said he has since designed his own web page which he uses to advertise his designs and is hoping that more companies will approach him soon.

“I am really grateful for this opportunity; being able to get such training without paying any money. I am looking forward to spreading the knowledge that I acquired from the training to other youths in my area because there are a lot of youths who are sitting idly doing nothing at their homes,” said the young man.

He graduated as the top male graphic designer and received a tablet.

Provincial Area Manager for Plan International Mrs Noreen Makhurane said the youths they trained were a diverse group and working with them was easy.

She said the innovation hubs that they formed will remain open for access to the youths despite that they have graduated.

Mrs Makhurane said they chose digital technology because they understand that the appetite among youths for digital things is very high.

“One thing I liked about this programme is that it showed everyone that it is possible for a youth without any academic qualifications to excel in life. Most of the youths that we recruited did not have any Ordinary Level qualifications, but they are now empowered,” she said.

“There are some groups that created interesting innovations that we are going to fund with US$1 500 each. This will support their innovations and test them so that they can slowly pave their way in the creative industry.” 

Minister Ncube said she is happy the stakeholders were able to identify a field that youths showed excitement and enthusiasm in.

“I am proud of all the stakeholders that came together and helped each other in ensuring that this pioneer project is a success. It shows everyone that working as a team makes being successful easy. I hope the innovations we saw today continue working as teams as they climb their ladder of being successful,” she said.

Deputy Minister Phuti applauded Plan International and the World Food Programme for showing everyone that it is possible to equip young people with innovations and make them create their own jobs.

He said by incorporating youths from diverse backgrounds the stakeholders moved with President Mnangagwa’s 2030 vision of leaving no one behind.

“This project is promoting a part of an industry that is bankable but is mostly ignored. This is the creative industry. The industry has a lot of potential and can make good money for youths if they are supported. I hope the innovations that I saw can change everyone’s mindset about the youths and we can all start to view them as people who have great potential,” he added.

“Because most companies want people with experience, the youths sit idly on creative ideas that they have which can easily transform the country. I urge all employers to stop sidelining fresh graduates.”–@flora_sibanda