Ponesai Vanhu Technical College, Shamva District, Zimbabwe – The 3rd Graduation Ceremony of Ponesai Vanhu Technical College took place on Thursday, 13 November 2025, with the theme “Leaving No One and No Place Behind through Skills Development and Youth Empowerment”.
The Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mt Darwin South, Honourable Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, delivered the keynote address, congratulating the 324 graduates (140 male and 184 female) on their achievement.
Honourable Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, as well as the Member of Parliament for Mt Darwin South, delivered the keynote address, congratulating the 324 graduates, comprising 140 males and 184 females, on their accomplishment.
“In today’s world, vocational education stands at the centre stage of our national development strategy,” said Honourable Mupamhanga. “Ponesai Vanhu Technical College is a shining example of our national motto, ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’.”
The Minister commended the college for its commitment to empowering young people and contributing to national development. He urged the graduates to use their skills to uplift their families and communities, and to become leaders in their chosen fields.
Graduation Highlights:
53 youth (42 male and 11 female) graduated in 2 long courses accredited by HEXCO.
271 youth (98 male and 173 female) graduated in 9 short courses accredited by Bindura University of Science Education.
240 students graduated in agri-entrepreneurship courses accredited by Bindura University of Science Education.
DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director, Luckson Soda, highlighted how the college has gone beyond Zimbabwe’s borders through its integration into the Africa Skills Revolution, where some TVET students have participated in the AUDA-NEPAD HUMANA initiative to revolutionise vocational education and training.
“Students from this college participated in the Skills. Revolution competition in 2025, where they demonstrated innovation in vocational training in Africa. Although they did not win awards, I am proud to say that 3 youth from Angola, Namibia, and Malawi, from DAPP-owned vocational training centres, made it into the top 10. It is my appeal to you, Honourable Minister that you encourage more youth from Vocational training Centres in Zimbabwe to partake in the Africa Skills Revolution, so that through innovation, together the government and all players here, we give the world what it really needs and what works in our specific context.
This is not just a success for those individuals, but a collective achievement for our entire Humana People to People network. It is a testament to the innovation and potential that exist within Africa’s youth, and it highlights the growing strength of vocational training across our continent.
As we look toward the future, let this graduation serve as a reminder that the responsibility to shape Africa’s development lies in our hands. I urge all graduates here today to take the skills you have acquired and boldly step into the opportunities offered through the Africa Skills Revolution. Participate, innovate, collaborate and let your work reflect the excellence and resilience of Zimbabwean youth.” Said Mr Soda
“I am grateful to DAPP Zimbabwe and the government for providing us with the opportunity to acquire on-the-job demand skills that will allow me to compete in my area of specialty, become an entrepreneur and also improve my life,” said Robert Mataramvura, a 30-year-old graduate of Confectionery and Bakery Studies.
Another graduate, 22-year-old Mercy Muchecheko, who specialised in Motor Vehicle Maintenance, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “As a single mother of one, I am excited to return to my community and share the knowledge and skills I have gained. I am confident that I will earn a living for myself and my child”
Two best students, one male and one female from the Motor Mechanics department, received start-up kits awards from InstaToll Zimbabwe. Additionally, two outstanding ladies from Confectionary and Bakery Studies, one of whom is living with a disability also got start-up kits awards from the HigherLife Foundation. These start-up kits are a great milestone for these youths as they begin their journey.
According to UNESCO, TVET in Africa faces challenges like high youth unemployment (over 20%), a mismatch between skills and labor market needs, and inadequate funding and infrastructure.
Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing our communities, especially farmers and rural populations. But what if the solution wasn’t just about adapting, but about empowering a new generation to lead the change? That’s the big idea behind the Youth Empowerment for Climate Change Solutions Project, a new collaboration between Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPP Zimbabwe) and Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe Malawi (DAPP Malawi). This project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC) and is set to run from August 2025 to June 2027. NOREC is a Norwegian government agency that promotes global learning, understanding and development through the international exchange of personnel.
This exchange program aims to address the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related challenges by facilitating mutual learning between youth leaders from both Zimbabwe and Malawi. By equipping the youth with new skills, knowledge and methods in sustainable farming and climate adaptation and mitigation, the project seeks to strengthen the resilience of rural communities and empower youth as stewards of sustainable practices. Upon returning to Zimbabwe and Malawi, the participants will share their newly acquired expertise, with their organisations and communities, fostering a broader awareness and adaptation to climate change.
The project is being implemented in two phases, with the first phase ending in August 2026 and this phase we are already seeing the exchange in action, with three youth leaders from Zimbabwe; Kelvin Guruve, Ross Phiri and Revealed Mashonganyika having gone to Malawi and while DAPP Zimbabwe welcomed Happy Makawa, Regina Saiwala and Faresi Friday.
Throughout the project, participants will engage in hands-on workshops, site visits, collaborative projects and leadership training that focus on practical skills and innovative solutions. They will develop essential skills in advocacy and community mobilization. Participants will attend workshops, visit farms and work together on projects that create tangible solutions. Together, they will co-design strategies to address the challenges faced by rural communities, fostering cross-cultural dialogue that encourages innovation and inspires meaningful change.
We are excited to embark on this journey and are eager to witness the profound impact these young agents of change will have. Together, we can create a brighter future for both our communities and our planet.
A new project aimed at building the resilience of communities in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe, to climate change has been launched. The Building adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to climate change in Chimanimani District project, implemented by Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPPZ) in partnership with Civil Society in Development (CISU) through UFF-Humana, will target 1,000 smallholder farmers and their families in wards 13 and 21 in Chimanimani District.
The project seeks to promote climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, and biodiversity, as well as strengthen the transformative capacities of the community and local authorities to adapt to climate change. It will also enhance market linkages for smallholder farmers and promote evidence-based advocacy and cross-learning among stakeholders.
Chimanimani District is one of the areas most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change in Zimbabwe. The district has experienced a surge in climate-related disasters, including Cyclones Idai and Freddy, floods, and droughts, which have inflicted severe damage to infrastructure, agricultural livelihoods, and human settlements.
The project is expected to contribute to strengthening the partners’ efforts to build adaptive capacity to climate change among the local population, strengthen their resilience to climate shocks, and enhance the community’s advocacy abilities.
“We are committed to supporting vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said DAPP Zimbabwe Programs Director Ruth Makumbe. “This project is a testament to our partnership with CISU through UFF Humana and our shared commitment to creating a positive impact in the lives of smallholder farmers and their families”.
The project is funded by Civil Society in Development (CISU) and is expected to run for 24 months.
At a time when many young people seem aimless and adrift, feeling overwhelmed by despair and complaining about unemployment, DAPP Zimbabwe a member of the Humana People to People movement has joined the Africa Skills Revolution. This initiative, launched on July 15th, World Youth Skills Day, aims to offer a beacon of hope through skills development in technical and vocational training
DAPP is one of the eight Humana People to People countries in Africa that offer Vocational Skills Training to young people. The institutions carefully design courses that meet market demands, aligning with national educational frameworks and complementing government efforts to improve academic outcomes. The seven other countries besides DAPP Zimbabwe are Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia
Speaking via Zoom during the webinar launch on Monday, DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Luckson Soda shared how DAPP’s pioneering public-private partnerships have led to the development of market-driven short courses tailored to address specific skills gaps in sectors like agriculture, engineering and cosmetology.
“These initiatives not only enhance employability but also stimulate economic growth in local communities. As we look to the future, the role of TVET providers in Africa cannot be overstated. They serve as springboards for unleashing the potential of Africa’s youth, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to shape their own destinies and contribute to a prosperous continent,” said Luckson Soda
“Mr. Soda noted that it is important to nurture young talent in Africa. ‘Today, as we continue to invest in the potential of Africa’s youth, let us reaffirm our commitment to nurturing their talents and aspirations. Let us provide them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to realize their dreams and build the Africa they envision – a continent where every young person thrives, contributes, and achieves greatness,’ he said.”
DAPP Zimbabwe Vocational Training College Concept
Firstly, our commitment to empowering young people is unwavering. Our TVET college is dedicated to equipping students with practical skills directly relevant to local job markets. We believe in not only preparing students for careers but also empowering them to shape their own futures as drivers of innovation and progress.
Secondly, our college is more than just educational institution, it is a vibrant community hub deeply embedded within our local context. It serves as catalysts for development, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and driving collective progress in the communities.
Thirdly, the college prioritize serving rural and remote areas, ensuring that youth in these regions have equitable access to quality education and opportunities for socio-economic advancement. This commitment is rooted in our belief that every young person deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their geographical location.
Lastly, a cornerstone of education at our college is the cultivation of essential 21st-century skills. Students learn critical competencies such as organization, teamwork, and problem-solving skills vital for addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. These competencies not only prepare students to lead but also to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing world.
My name is Simba Mboma and I am a 48-year-old farmer from Svondo village in Chivi District, Zimbabwe. Throughout my life, I always practised subsistence farming, where I grew crops only for household consumption with barely anything to sell. However, I always desired to generate extra income but lack of knowledge and skills held me back. As the breadwinner of my family, I would take on piece jobs in my community to supplement my income averaging $60 a month which was not adequate to support my family.
My life changed when I enrolled in Farmers’ Club Chivi in September 2021 where I received training on smart agriculture and its three principles: potholing, mulching and crop rotation. I implemented these techniques in my 1ha field and 0.1ha garden and also substituted chemical fertilizers with organic manure from my Chinese, vermi and heap composts on my pieces of land. I started with 900 tomato plants in my garden and realised an income of about $600usd translating to a profit of $400 after subtracting input costs. This year, I expanded my garden land from 0.1 to 0.2 hectares and planted 2,000 cabbage heads using capital of $400 and I am anticipating a minimum yield worth USD 1,000. Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone El Nino-induced drought, I am confident in my ability to provide for my family.
My garden crop production increased as I also leveraged the symbiosis between crops and livestock by using animal manure for my crops. I also started producing seasonal vegetables like onions out of season to capitalize on market supply gaps in my community which helped me increase my income and profits. I sell these my produces to walk-in customers and nearby schools. I have already started to benefit an improved standard of living for my household as we now access improved food and nutrition as well as afford other services like education and health.
Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone El Nino-induced drought, I’m confident in my ability to provide for my family’s nutrition, food and income security through farming. My success is a testament to the impact of DAPP’s initiatives, which have empowered me with the skills and knowledge to thrive in sustainable agriculture. By sharing my experiences and expertise, I hope to inspire others to adopt climate-resilient farming methods, boost their yields and improve their livelihoods. Together, we can build a more food-secure and sustainable future for our communities.
