Reported by: The Agency Media
Date: 8th April, 2025.
Mumbwa, Lusaka Province, Zambia.
In a significant stride towards youth empowerment and community development, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has officially taken over the Nkulumazhiba Youth Resource Centre in Mumbwa District, following a formal signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Allocation Program (ZAP).
Presiding over the event, Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sport, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, described the handover as a pivotal moment in the nation’s mission to equip young people with the skills and resources they need to thrive in a competitive economy.
“This Centre is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a symbol of hope and a catalyst for opportunity,” Mr. Chileshe remarked. “Through the Nkulumazhiba Youth Resource Centre, we aim to empower the youth of Mumbwa and surrounding areas with practical, market-driven skills that will enable them to create self-employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Zambia’s socio-economic transformation.”
The new facility becomes the latest addition to the Ministry’s expanding network of youth resource centres, now totalling 24 across the country. These centres collectively graduate over 8,000 young people annually in diverse fields such as agriculture, metal fabrication, carpentry, hospitality, ICT, tailoring, driving, and entrepreneurship. Last year alone, Mumbwa’s existing youth resource centre graduated 631 trainees, highlighting the growing demand for vocational skills in the region.
Commending ZAP for its steadfast partnership, Mr. Chileshe emphasized that their investment is not just in buildings, but in the future of Zambia’s youth, particularly those in rural and peri-urban communities who often face barriers to opportunity. “Your support underlines a profound belief in the potential of young Zambians to become drivers of innovation and economic progress,” he noted.
In his address, Mr. Chileshe also acknowledged the persistent challenges confronting Zambia’s youth, including limited access to education, inadequate financing, unemployment, and insufficient recreational spaces. He stressed the importance of collaborative, holistic solutions, praising the Nkulumazhiba Centre as an example of an effective partnership between government and local development stakeholders.
“This initiative reflects our collective responsibility to provide local solutions to local challenges,” he said. “It is our hope that the Centre will become a vibrant hub for skills development, mentorship, and business incubation.”
Furthermore, Mr. Chileshe called on the youth of Mumbwa to fully embrace the opportunities presented by the Centre. “Take ownership of this facility,” he urged. “Let it be your space to dream, learn, innovate, and contribute to the growth of our great nation.”
In addition to technical training, the Nkulumazhiba Centre will integrate programmes aimed at addressing broader challenges such as climate change, recognizing its impact on food security and livelihoods. The New Dawn Government reaffirmed its commitment to equipping young Zambians with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop sustainable solutions in the face of environmental and economic pressures.
Concluding the ceremony, Mr. Chileshe expressed gratitude to ZAP and all partners involved, reaffirming the Ministry’s dedication to advancing youth empowerment initiatives across the country. “With this Centre now officially under the stewardship of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, we are determined to ensure it becomes a cornerstone of opportunity and progress for the youth of Mumbwa District and beyond,” he declared.
The Agency.