Youth call for jobs as Matabeleland South hosts Mohadi tournament
by FHATU MULAUDZI
BEITBRIDGE – THE high unemployment rate in Matabeleland South, a reflection of Zimbabwe’s broader economic challenges, continues to push many young people into drug and substance abuse.
However, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi’s recent sports initiative has brought temporary relief and renewed conversations around long-term youth empowerment.
The colourful two-day tournament, held in Beitbridge, drew youths from across the province, including Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Insiza, Mangwe, Matobo, and Umzingwane.
Many participants welcomed the platform for engagement, healthy competition, and social cohesion. Yet they also stressed that such initiatives, though valuable, fall short of addressing the root cause of youth vulnerability—unemployment.
“This initiative by our Deputy President Kembo Mohadi is plausible because it keeps the youths out of the streets,” said Nomazulu Mpabanga from Gwanda.
“But my concern is that it is short-lived. It only takes place once a year. My question is: what happens during the other 365 days when youths remain without employment?”
The tournament, spearheaded by the ZANU-PF Matabeleland South leadership, attracted praise for uniting communities.
Still, many youths interviewed by Matabele Today expressed frustration that their economic ideas often go unheard.
“If the same amount of money poured into sports tournaments was directed to organised youth clusters to start their own companies, it could be a huge gamechanger for Matabeleland South,” said Mxolisi Tshabalala.
Echoing this, Umzingwane youth Jeffrey Dlodlo argued that even modest funding could create meaningful impact.
“If our leaders really care about us, just as little as US$50,000 could help more than 50 innovative youths organise themselves and start viable companies that create over 5,000 jobs. That would fight unemployment,” Dlodlo said.
He added: “Imagine if these expensive cars being donated to artists by ZANU-PF tenderpreneurs were channelled to the projects we propose as youths……..unemployment could have been zero nationwide. Unfortunately, our leaders do not listen to our grievances.”
ZANU-PF Matabeleland South provincial political commissar, Washington Nkomo, praised the gathering for “bringing together participants from across the province” and said it helped “amplify the anti-drug and substance abuse message, including sexual and reproductive health awareness.”
But many youths insisted job creation—not tournaments, freebies, or donations—remains their top priority.
“Only if our leaders would just once listen to our grievances. The majority of youths in Matabeleland South would not engage in drug and alcohol abuse, let alone sexual immorality,” said Melody Moyo from Bulilima.
With netball and football teams filling the Mabidi Stadium, the event was a success. However, a key question lingers: will the government move beyond once-off activities and invest in youth business clusters capable of creating sustainable employment?
