Acknowledge Mawere, the director of Masvingo Root of Development Organization Trust (MaRODO), a youth empowerment NGO, has been appointed a board member of the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC).
Mawere is the sole representative from Masvingo province among the 13 members announced by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinotenda Machakaire recently.
Mawere expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I am thrilled about the new responsibilities that have been entrusted to me. Youth empowerment and development have always been my passion, and I have dedicated my entire life to it. I am confident that my appointment to ZYC will serve as a platform to further promote the rights of young people in Zimbabwe and beyond.”
The new board, chaired by 32-year-old lawyer Rutendo Mugwagwa from Manicaland, includes Hazel Mandaza (20) from Mashonaland East, Unathi Nyoni (21) from Bulawayo, Macintosh Manonose (27) from Midlands, Victor Mupunga (30) from Harare, Blessing Ndlovu (30) from Matebeleland South, Thubelihle Nyoni (27) from Matebeleland North, Talent Kadaira (28) from Mashonaland Central, Munyaradzi Chauruka (29) from Mashonaland East, Thabani Shonhai (22) from Harare, Yolanda Mungwari (33) from Manicaland, and Tinashe Ngirande (22) from Midlands.
While the board should comprise 15 members, Minister Machakaire stated that the remaining two members, both females, will be announced in due course, with one of them hailing from Mashonaland West Province.
The announcement was made in accordance with the Zimbabwe Youth Council Act.
“This board will bolster our efforts in promoting youth participation, economic empowerment, and leadership development across the nation,” Machakaire added.
The new board replaces the previous one appointed in 2021, whose tenure had expired. The ZYC serves as a bridge between the government and the responsible ministry, advising the government on the needs of the youth.
Mawere, a native of Bikita district in Masvingo province, has been actively involved in the youth development sector through various organizations and initiatives he leads. He is a multi-award winner, recognized for his work in youth rights and community development.
In 2022, he received the Gender Champion award from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe, acknowledging his activism against gender-based violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe. Recently, he won two awards on November 6th, one from the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Africa Trust (SARHRT Zimbabwe)’s Adolescent Activism Awards 2024, and another at the 3rd edition Masvingo Achievement Awards.
“This month has been a blessing to me as I have received so many life-changing good news. These recognitions fuel my passion for driving positive and sustainable change in my community and for my fellow young people,” Mawere remarked.
He further added, “I have been involved in addressing issues such as gender injustices (GBV), drug and substance abuse, mental health, youth economic empowerment, child marriages, and more. I never thought these efforts could one day elevate me to such great heights. For example, since 2021, through MaRODO, I developed a mental health program called Mental Health Xplained, reaching over 5000 young people with awareness and education about mental health.
“Under the program, we launched a Free Youth Online Psychosocial Support Service where young people can receive free psychosocial support from our organization’s volunteer peer counselors. At least 150 have benefited from the initiative. I have personally dedicated my time and resources to assist in the program as a peer educator and counselor.”
