Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Sunday News Reporter
Youths have been urged to embrace initiatives in innovation and entrepreneurship to pave way for a better future for them, while also reducing the growth of alcohol and drug abuse in society.
This was said by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube on Thursday at Milton High School, during a presentation by a group of innovative pupils who manufactured their own breakfast cereal.
The breakfast cereal and the ingredients
The presentation, organised by the school, ran under the theme, “Innovative student entrepreneurs” saw the attendance of the Provincial Education Director, school heads from the district and pupils from other schools in the province.
The six Form Five pupils – Arthur Dube, Mqondisi Moyo, Tavonga Mudhe, Knowledge Tshuma, Khumbulani Ncube and Mandisa Mlawuzi – presented their product before Minister Ncube in preparation for their state presentation in front of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa in Harare on December 10.
From research, the innovative pupils gathered that most cereals are produced using additives and decided to use honey and milk among other natural ingredients to manufacture their breakfast cereal.
Khumbulani Ncube (fourth from left) makes presentation about their cereal innovation while other group members look on
They came second in a national competition aimed at discovering entrepreneurial skills in pupils and walked away with US$5 000.
Speaking during the presentations, Minister Ncube said youths should come up with initiatives and venture in entrepreneurship to shape their future.
She said she was proud to be a witness of such creativity and innovations coming from high school pupils which is in line with the country’s national development strategy goals.
“We are proud to be gathered in regards to the innovation of our young innovative Miltonian boys who came up with an innovation that is going to secure a better future for them and also create jobs for other youths in society. The cereal produced by these boys anchors on three sustainable goals which are zero hunger, health and well-being and industry and innovation. It is something we are always proud of as parents to witness the good deeds of our children,” said Minister Ncube.
She said not only will their innovation create employment but it will reduce the growing rates of alcohol and drug abuse among youths.
Minister Ncube added that the Government was rallying in support of youth initiatives to attain an upper-middle class economy by 2030.
“The Government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa has tasked all provinces to take the country’s economy forward through the National Development Strategy 1, with the aim being to encourage, stimulate and promote innovation among youths. The Government is committed to the participation of youth in the economy through the establishment of innovation hubs at tertiary institutions,” she said.
The new breakfast cereal that was produced by the Milton Boys High School students using natural Zimbabwean fruits was presented to Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube
She applauded the Milton boys for manufacturing their product using indigenous fruits hence promoting the consumption of fruits, a practice which has been neglected by many in society due to busy lifestyles and financial limitations.
Present at the function, Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Cde Jabulani Sibanda said he was impressed by the skilfulness by the boys.
He commended them and encouraged them to continue further on the steps they have started.
“We are proud of these boys and also appreciate their parents for giving birth to such incredible innovative young men, not forgetting their teachers at Milton High School. With such a crop of young men, we are confident that the future of our nation is safe in their hands.
Breakfast cereal innovators and their patrons
:A better future starts with what is done in the present and these boys have shown that they are determined to have a better future, hence the reason they have been honoured to go and present their manufactured product in front of his Excellency the President,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said the boys have played a hero status role for their country by coming up with innovations that will help revive the country’s industries.
“While there are liberation war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, it is worthy to note that we also have this fine crop of young people who have come up with initiatives to revive our industries. These industries were closed because these young people were at school, but with them developing these initiatives we are certain that the industries are set to be resuscitated,” said Cde Sibanda. – @Sagepapie14