Tendai Charumbira
Youth in Zvamahande area in Masvingo West constituency’s ward 33 have embarked on small scale projects like mining and farming which local councilor Tawanda Dube said have helped in reducing the number of criminal activities in the area.
Youth in ward 33 are reported to be mining for gold at King Mine while others are engaged in growing vegetables for sale with others venturing into cooking floor polish, dish washing liquids and toilet detergents.
In an interview on the sidelines of belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations at Zvamahande Primary School in Mashava on May 8 hosted by TellZim News, Cllr Dube said that projects done by youth in the area have seen a reduction in crime, early marriages and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
“Projects that are done by youth in Zvamahande are reducing crime rate. There are now few cases of theft in the area and also it reduces early marriages as youths are more focused on projects while at the same reducing GBV as all people shift focus towards projects,” said Dube.
He also said these projects are minimizing drug and substance abuse in Zvamahande area and also these projects are helping parents as some of the youth are able to pay their own school fees.
“These projects done by Zvamahande youth help reduce consumption of drugs such as Mutoriro and dagga. It is also an advantage to some parents as some of the youth are now paying for their own school fees,” said Dube.
The sports day was sponsored by ZimMedia 21 and International Media Support (IMS) FOJO.
More than five soccer and five netball teams participated at the event, Shashe Zvamahande won first prize in soccer and were given a sum of USD$ 100 followed by Muzhi Sharks which was also given USD$50. Shashe King Mine won in women netball and walked away USD$100 richer followed by Chengeto team in second position getting USD$ 50.
Speaking at the same event Minister for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira urged all youths to venture into projects and sporting to reduce drug abuse.
“I urge all youths in Zvamahande to continue doing well in mining and farming projects to minimize the consumption of drugs like (mutoriro), I also appreciate all youth for attending this event,” said Chadzamira.
