Nsanje district youth officer Getrude Francisco says 108 youths from traditional authorities (T/As) Malemia and Ndamera will acquire vocational skills under the National Youth Service Programme.

Speaking on Wednesday during Nsanje District Executive Committee meeting, she said the programme will first be implemented in the two areas for easy monitoring before scaling it up to the remaining seven T/As.

“The youth will acquire vocational, entrepreneurial and agribusiness skills. We believe that these skills will empower them economically,” said Francisco.

Nsanje district youth network chairperson James Sande thanked government for the programme, saying it will reduce unemployment levels in the district.

Francisco: We want to empower youths

He asked government to increase the number of beneficiaries in the district.

“The programme is targeting 323 youths out of 141 955 in the district. We feel the number is on the lower side,” said Sande.

Malemia Youth Club member Mphamvu Kalima said only 36 youths have made it into the first cohort and asked authorities to increase the number in the second phase.

“The programme has come at the right time when many youths are indulging in risky behaviour because they are not employed. If more youths acquire technical skills, they will open their own workshops and employ others,” he said.

National Youth Service is a national programme that seeks to empower youths through skills development, innovations and entrepreneurship.

President Lazarus Chakwera launched the programme on July 19 2022 in Neno District.

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