The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
LARFAGE Cement Zimbabwe has partnered the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation as well as the Scientific Research Development Corporation to train 110 builders in Chimanimani as part of efforts to rehabilitate infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Idai two years ago.
The youths were trained as part of the campaign dubbed ‘Lets rebuild Chimanimani Together #bringbackbetter’.
They received certificates at a ceremony held in Chimanimani last week on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, a director in her office, Mr Peter Ngorima, said there is need for skilled youths to create their own jobs for the country to attain an upper middle income economy by 2030.
He said some contractors who were awarded tenders to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure in Chimanimani and Chipinge got part of their labour from the pool of trained youths, thereby enabling them to earn decent incomes.
“This should not end here, as youths you must know that you are the country’s future and start creating jobs for your peers and yourselves. Do not wait for someone to come and hand you a job, especially if you are skilled and can use your hands to earn a living.
“Vision 2030 will only come to fruition if everyone comes on board and play their part,” said Mr Ngorima.
Addressing the same gathering, Larfage Cement Zimbabwe’s chief executive officer, Mrs Precious Nyika, said the aim of the #bringbackbetter campaign was to replace damaged infrastructure with stronger and better systems, adding that getting the right skills was a welcome development that helped them achieve the goal.
“We partnered with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation and conducted a basic masons training for the youths because there was no one better to rebuild their homes than the owners themselves. We selected them from local wards and equipped them with skills to serve in rebuilding efforts around the affected communities.
“With these skills, the trained youths have been positioned to continue offering construction services post the disaster response period. As Larfarge, we felt compelled to come up to Chimanimani to do our part in the rebuilding efforts following Cyclone Idai and this was not our only project,” she said.
Ward 10 Councillor Eddie Njanji thanked the cement producing giant for training the youths and equipping them with skills that will help them in the long run.
