Vendors Voice

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) has organized a series of basic digital training sessions aimed at assisting young people in enhancing their careers and businesses, and promoting online marketing. The BVTA Information and Communications Officer, Kwanele Moyo revealed that the trainings targeted young participants who were part of their trade camps in a bid to equip them with digital skills. The training, which focused on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp business, and Tik Tok, sought to enhance the participants’ skills development and differentiate them in today’s business environment. Zimbabwe women in MSMEsTrade Camps“We saw the need for young people to have digital skills after acquiring skills on trade camps, so they have to be able to market and advertise their wares since we are now in the fourth industrial revolution,” Moyo said. She added, “So, we realized that after skills acquisition, young people must have the ability to market and advertise their ways. So basically the basic digital skills training encompassed social media.” Moyo also revealed that the initiative hoped that social media marketing skills would help young business people reach a wider audience and save time on communication. Social Media & Digital Skills“The benefits include the ability to market using social media and if you are able to advertise your business on social media, you are able to reach a wider audience and communication becomes easy and time is saved.” Moreover, she added that the training included creating an email as well, as young people may need to communicate with potential partners or sponsors. While some participants faced challenges due to limited computer skills, the training equipped them with an adequate understanding of digital skills, enhanced by social media usage. In response to the future plans, Moyo said that BVTA plans to organize similar sessions in the future and partner with National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in subsequent training to deepen technical digital skills. Digital SkillsThe BVTA Information and Communications Officer further emphasized the importance of young people possessing digital skills in today’s business environment as we transition into the fourth industrial revolution. She also encouraged young people who reside in Pumula, Makokoba and Mzilikazi who want to improve their digital skills and knowledge to come and join the same project and the Safe and Inclusive Cities Program led by Plans International and acquire some knowledge and skills that will assist them in their entrepreneurial journey. Recently, Young men and women under the Safe and Inclusive Cities Program graduated as they received certificates of competence following their participation in trade camps aimed at enhancing their skills development. Empowering the YouthThe project, implemented by BVTA in partnership with Plan Zimbabwe and other partners, sought to empower the youth with various skills including hairdressing, beauty therapy, catering and deco, Panel Beating, welding, carpentry, poultry, garment construction, creative arts and waste management. During the graduation ceremony, Nkosana George Mazibisa, the guest of honour, emphasized the importance of attitude in business as the key determinant of success. Mazibisa highlighted that employment is created by entrepreneurs and encouraged the youth to complement and build each other to combat poverty. He also urged peer-to-peer mentorship among young people and advocated the use of internet for access to information. Safe and Inclusive CitiesThe Safe and Inclusive Cities Program has given hope to many young men and women who were previously excluded from formal employment. With their newly acquired skills, they can now actively participate in the economy and create employment opportunities for themselves and their communities. Lastly, the success of the project serves as a testament to the power of partnerships, entrepreneurship, and skills development in building a safer and more inclusive society.