Gweru Seminar Urges Youths to be Job Creators, Not Just Job Seekers

By Admire Chitsungo in Gweru

The African Seventh Day Adventist Church’s Youth Empowerment Seminar, held recently at Industrial Sands in Gweru, concluded successfully under the powerful and transformative theme “Rise Up and Lead the Way,” leaving young people spiritually revived, mentally sharpened, and strategically positioned for national development.

The seminar brought together youths from the country’s ten provinces, drawing inspiration from faith-based teachings, leadership mentorship, and government-aligned empowerment strategies. It was a collaborative initiative involving the African Seventh Day Adventist Church (ASDA), Father Flower Group of Schools, DCK Group of Companies, and key government ministries.

In a practical demonstration of commitment to youth empowerment, ASDA Elder Douglas Kwande donated 20,000 chicks towards youth empowerment programmes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, agribusiness, and self-sustenance among young people. The donation was received with appreciation and hailed as a major boost towards empowering youths to venture into income-generating projects and employment creation.

Delivering a spiritually charged address, Elder Kwande anchored his message on the biblical figure Daniel, urging the youths to cultivate an excellent spirit rooted in faith, discipline, and purpose. He emphasized that excellence is not accidental but a deliberate commitment to Godly values, hard work, and vision-driven leadership.

“The spirit of excellence distinguishes leaders from followers,” Elder Kwande said, encouraging young people to rise above dependency, fear, and complacency, and to align their talents with divine purpose.

Adding a strong spiritual and mentorship dimension to the seminar, Pastor Mtandazo Moyo, the Chaplain for the Campus Ministry and Secretary for Youth in the African Seventh Day Adventist Church, highlighted the Church’s commitment to holistic youth development.

Pastor Moyo said his role as chaplain extends beyond the seminar, as he oversees the organization of spiritual events, workshops, and retreats, while also supporting students in faith development and mentorship. He emphasized the importance of nurturing spiritually grounded youths who can positively influence communities and institutions of higher learning.

He further noted that the Church remains intentional in facilitating prayer sessions, Bible studies, and discussion groups for youths in communities and universities, aimed at strengthening moral values, leadership character, and resilience among young people navigating social and economic challenges.

African Seventh Day Adventist Church President Pastor Nobert Chimunhu delivered a powerful sermon centered on the purpose of existence and meaningful service. He emphasized that every individual is called to serve God and society with intention, integrity, and excellence, regardless of their profession.

He noted that if one is a nurse, they must serve wholeheartedly with compassion and dedication, while a teacher must educate with passion, commitment, and a sense of divine calling. He stressed that true success comes when one’s profession aligns with a clear sense of purpose and service to humanity.

Renowned preacher and motivational speaker Bishop Joshua Maponga further stirred the gathering with a call for mental liberation, bold leadership, and national consciousness. He urged young people to view themselves not as job seekers, but as job creators, capable of transforming communities through innovation, creativity, and enterprise.

Representatives from the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare delivered practical and policy-driven presentations, encouraging youths to fully embrace the Heritage-Based Education Curriculum and Education 5.0, which emphasize innovation, industrialisation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.

The youths were challenged to desist from over reliance on formal employment and instead harness local resources, skills, and knowledge to create sustainable livelihoods. Speakers highlighted that this approach aligns with the national development thrust championed by His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, whose vision of excellence, empowerment, and self-reliance continues to shape Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation.

Throughout the seminar, interactive sessions focused on leadership development, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual growth, and mindset transformation. The atmosphere reflected unity of purpose, corporate discipline, and youthful energy as participants engaged with mentors and policymakers.

Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, ASDA Executive Secretary General Pastor Webster Manyika said the Church is proud to have a pool of professional youths who have attained five O Level subjects or better, but expressed concern that many still struggle with unemployment despite good academic results.

He explained that this reality has prompted the Church to realign its youth empowerment initiatives with Education 5.0, which is designed to produce innovative, practical, and solution-oriented graduates.

“As African Seventh Day Adventist Church, we believe in an education system that empowers young people not only to seek employment, but to create employment,” Pastor Manyika said.

He added that the seminar deliberately balanced economic empowerment and spiritual growth, emphasizing that work is divine and that God-given talents must be practically applied for transformation.

Father Flower Group of Schools Director General, Dr Jimmy Lemekani-Waya, hailed the seminar as a unique and impactful initiative that successfully blended business and entrepreneurial skills with strong Christian values.

“Hats off to Elder Douglas Kwande and the African Seventh Day Adventist Church for their continued support and guidance in empowering the youth and uplifting communities,” Dr Lemekani-Waya said. “Such platforms are key to nurturing disciplined, innovative, and morally grounded young people ready to create opportunities and contribute to national development.”

The successful hosting of the “Rise Up and Lead the Way” Youth Empowerment Seminar stands as a strong testimony to ASDA and its partners’ commitment to nurturing a God-fearing, skilled, innovative, and economically empowered generation aligned with Zimbabwe’s national vision.