Bulawayo Cllrs call for revamp of youth centres

Bulawayo’s councillors have called for the revitalisation of youth recreational centres across the city, saying modern programmes and improved facilities are needed to nurture talent in sport and the arts while equipping young people with skills for today’s economy. The issue was raised during a Full Council meeting on Wednesday, where councillors expressed concern that Bulawayo is no longer producing as many top athletes as it once did. Ward 14 councillor Dumisani Netha said the city previously produced a large number of footballers who went on to represent the national team but warned that the trend has declined in recent years.

“Bulawayo City Council, through the youth centres, produced the majority of players for the Zimbabwe national soccer team back in the day,” Netha said. “But now we no longer have those facilities. In the most recent games there were only two representatives from Bulawayo, which is too low a number.” He said reviving the centres would help keep young people engaged and reduce social problems such as drug abuse.

“If we leave them idle they will end up turning to drugs because they have nothing to occupy them,” he said. “There is so much talent in our city, especially in arts and sports, and we need these centres to nurture that talent.” Ward 22 councillor Bruce Moyo said the centres should also focus on equipping young people with skills suited to the modern economy. “We need to ensure that the programmes offered at these centres make young people relevant in today’s economy.

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We want them to learn digital skills,” he said. He added that traditional training programmes should evolve to reflect technological changes. “Years ago it made sense to teach young people how to repair phones and television sets, but now the world is going digital.

These young people must be taught things aligned to artificial intelligence and other digital skills.” Moyo also stressed that young people from wards without recreational centres should be allowed to access programmes in other areas. “We must ensure that youths from wards without these centres are not left out,” he said. “Community halls that council usually rents out to churches could also be used as classrooms for youth training.”

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