During my visit to Mutare a fortnight ago, I was very impressed by the self-propelling attitude and creativity portrayed by the youth. They are always coming up with initiatives to stay afloat and soldier on in spite of all the well-known challenges they are facing. Instead of getting into a corner waiting for miracles to occur, or sitting on top of bins in the streets blaming bad government policies and so on, they realize that life has to go on and have to make things happen for themselves. I am very proud of the leadership there and the most evident things that I found happening are as follows;

 1) Sports Development

*National Team Appointment for one of our coaches from Mutare Youthzones

Saul Chaminuka, my former coach at Mutare United and a member of Mutare Youthzones, currently coaching Buffaloes FC, was recently appointed Assistant Coach for the Senior National football team ‘The Warriors’ and the National Under 23 football team simultaneously. He is the reigning Coach of the year in Zimbabwe at the moment due to his exploits at ZPC Kariba last season where he led them to a second place in their maiden league appearance. I am very proud of him and am in constant communication with him and he says he has a dream of coaching in South Africa at one point.

*Newly formed 5-A-Side Soccer League

The boys’ soccer teams recently formed a 5-A-side social football league with other teams in Mutare including corporates. Due to souring transport costs, Dangamvura and Sakubva UBCYF Football teams merged to create one strong UBCYF 5-A-Side team that is currently lying third on the 8 team league.

*Players in the Premier & Division One Leagues

16 players from Mutare Youthzones are currently playing for several premier league teams in the country. 28 are playing in the Division One leagues and more than 50 are in the lower divisions.

 2) Employment

2 of our youths Norman and Angela, recently got formal employment in Harare. The football team players and other non-playing guys, during free days, move from one supermarket to another looking for temporary employment contracts to take part in month-end physical stock take so as to get a few dollars for themselves and the teams.

 3) Enterprise Development

Revolver Media, a video & photography company wholly owned by 4 youths remains the notable success story in this regard and continues operations aiming for growth as the year progresses.

 4) IT Skills Development

Revolver Media also remains accessible for free to youths from in and around Mutare Youthzones site for CV and general printing, internet connectivity and even computer lessons carried by George Mtisi, Morven Kugoda and Content Makumbe.

 I will always be proud of these boys and hope that as a family we will all be inspired to utilize those little opportunities and resources we have and soldier on to achieve greatness rather than playing the blame game.