Tinotenda Hove – On Saturday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa sparked controversy by presiding over the groundbreaking of a vocational training centre that bears his own name, during the National Youth Day celebrations held at Igava Training Centre in Marondera.

The event drew over 30 000 youths from across Zimbabwe, who had gathered to celebrate the contributions of young people to national development.

However, attention quickly shifted to the unveiling of the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Youth Service and Vocational Training Centre, prompting criticism over the appropriateness of naming a public institution after a sitting Head of State.

Addressing the crowd, Mnangagwa said he had “faith and confidence that the current crop of young people” could “deliver more results in agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, among SMEs, as well as in the science, technology and innovation arena.”

He urged youths to meet the country’s development targets: “The targets in our National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 demand young people who are diligent, focused, hardworking and patriotic. Go ahead and occupy the space.”

Mnangagwa also targeted critics, warning that “the shameful agenda of saboteurs, sellouts and counter-revolutionaries who seek to advance the neo-imperial agenda for ‘a few pieces of silver and false fame’ will never succeed… Pasi nevatengesi! (Down with sellouts).”

While the President pledged continued investment in vocational training and high-demand skills like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics, observers argue that the ceremony blurred the line between youth empowerment initiatives and personal glorification.

National Youth Day, observed annually on February 21, is meant to celebrate the role of young people in Zimbabwe’s development. This year, however, the day is likely to be remembered as much for the controversy over the self-named centre as for the promises made to empower youth.