Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sunday Life Reporter
COMMUNITY youth centres in the City of Bulawayo are in a state of derelict.
The centres, found in most high-density suburbs, are not being utilised effectively and no longer fulfill their intended purpose.
The youth centres concept, as history would have it, came about in the late 1960s as a move to give young people spaces to get exposed to life skills in the arts, sport and other industrious means of survival.
Youth centres played a significant role in nurturing sporting talent in the past, particularly in the lead up to the 1990s. Renowned figures in the sports industry often share stories of how they first realised their potential through these establishments.
These centres acted as crucial hubs for training young individuals in various sporting disciplines.
That is why it was no wonder that Mzilikazi, Makokoba, Tshabalala, Mpopoma and Pumula, Njube, Iminyela, Mabutweni and Lobengula suburbs were known for producing quality footballers, boxers and track athletes.
They were all honed at youth centres.
Years down the line, there seems to be nothing to write home about in these youth centres.
A drive around the city reveals that some are now being rented out to churches, weddings, parties and any other event that is not even close or related to youth activities.
The situation can be best described as sorrowful.
City officials are equally concerned and they strongly desire to see a change in the situation. Interestingly, a silver lining is on the horizon according to what has been tabled by the city’s economic development department.
The City of Bulawayo’s Economic Development Officer, Kholisani Moyo said there were plans to revive the youth centres by implementing the sports economy concept.
“The sports economy initiative has many benefits to the City of Bulawayo. Apart from employment creation, we think that this initiative will also result in the improvement of infrastructure, especially the youth centres where young people can do different types of sport.
“When we launched the sports economy concept last year, we signed a memorandum of agreement with Squash Zimbabwe. For us to take squash to other areas, the city now has to also work with other stakeholders that include the private sector in putting up the required infrastructure in various locations in the western suburbs of the city,” said Moyo.
He went to lengths to explain that it was in the council’s plans to extend that benefit to other sporting disciplines in order to reach out to as many talented young people and at the same time uplift the community.
“We are also expecting that this initiative will also result in other sporting facilities in the communities being constructed, especially in places like Cowdray Park. In a nutshell, the idea is to make the sport economy a very critical tool in developing sport in the city.
“We have youth centres that are well known for doing well in training youths in sports. We can make reference to Tshabalala Youth Centre where there are doing karate, so, such places need facilities and the city council has to come up with a programme in renovating these facilities in those suburbs. This will in turn lure young people to partake in sport and also participate and support the sport economy,” he said.
The envisaged idea, Moyo said would have to extend to other centres run by Government and private players in sport. He made reference to the Hockey Stadium at Kumalo suburb.
“The sport economy concept is not only exclusive to the City of Bulawayo facilities. We have places like the Hockey Stadium that need improvement and we hope that as the city’s sport economy grows, partners such as Government departments will be encouraged to improve the facility so that it meets the required standards. We expect the same, with White City Stadium to be upgraded. To us, this sport economy initiative is very critical because it has other benefits besides creating employment and making sure the youths stay away from the streets and desist from using drugs. We are expecting to see better infrastructure that will serve as an inspiration to the young people of this beautiful city,” said Moyo.
Moyo said they firmly believed that if they improve conditions at the existing youth centres, generations would be saved from the ills of society.
“We are ensuring that the youth have productive activities to participate in, rather than resorting to substance abuse. Engaging in sports can also provide them with opportunities to make a living.”
Even renowned poet and musician, Albert Nyathi would want youth centres to be brought back to life.
“I recall my own experiences at Inyathi Youth Centre, I practiced karate, while visits to Iminyela introduced me to peers engaged in football,” he said.
The community awaits to see if these strategies will be implemented. If successful, the City of Bulawayo will, again, take its place as one of the best places to groom young talent in sport.