National General Secretary
Rev Jacob Maforo (Acting)
An ordained minister, Jacob has vast experience in teaching, youth work, management and pastoral work. He is highly qualified, holding an MA (Theology) and a BA in Religion and Philosophy. He also has a diploma in church administration and management and is certified in case management and social work.
He joined the YMCA in 1998 and has served in various commissions and held positions of leadership over the years, both at Zimbabwe and Africa Alliance levels. He also participated in the leadership development programme at the YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
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National Chairperson: Langton Mabhanga (Acting)
Langton is a Site Manager with one of the biggest agro-processing companies in Zimbabwe. His involvement with the YMCA dates back to early 1990s as a youth member. He has been instrumental in the formation of one of the most vibrant branches, Chegutu, of the Zimbabwe YMCA. Langton was also part of the youth who helped set up the first YMCA youth council in the national movement.
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Capital: Harare
Area: 39 075 700 ha
Border countries: land locked with two major rivers as borders on the north and the south. To the south is the great Limpopo, and the Zambezi river on the north has Victoria falls, a world wonder. Forming the border countries are Mozambique (east), Zambia (north), Botswana (south west) and South Arica (south).
Population: approximately 12 million (2002 census)
Age structure: 0-14 years 41%, 15-64 years 42%, 65 and above 17%
Median age: 29 years (male 34 years, female 24 years)
Life expectancy: 34 years
Languages: three official languages are spoken: English, Shona, Ndebele
Currency: the Zimbabwe Dollar is no longer in use since February 2009, and the country uses the USD for all transactions
Religion: Predominantly Christian (75%), and Muslims, Hindu and Jewish religions are found in the remaining 15%
Socio-political issues affecting youth development:
Unemployment
The economic meltdown experienced over the past decade has resulted in close to 90% of young people unemployed. Statistics are also distorted due to a number of contributing factors such as unavailability of recent data and the high number of migrants, especially amongst the youth. Another factor is that of industry's capacity to produce as it is believed that it has been operating at below 15% capacity, thereby resulting in under-employment.
HIV/AIDS
Even though the country has managed to reduce the infection rate (Zimbabwe human development report 2006-7), the infection rate is still high compared to other countries. At 18.1% (2006) to 15.6% (2007), Zimbabwe's youth are the most affected as it is the age 15 to 49 who test positive to the virus and subsequently succump to AIDS. A new phenomenon of multiple concurrent sexual partnerships has also contributed to the spread of pandemic among unemployed youth.
Politics (violence and violation of rights)
Since the 2000 elections, Zimbabwe has experienced all forms of violence - before, during and post elections. This has left many young people feeling deprived of their freedom of association which cannot, in most cases, be divorced from their freedom of expression. Perpetrators of the violence have been found to be youth, at the instigation of older politicians who offer payment in return.
The country's education and health systems are in a deteriorating state which has had an adverse impact on the youth in the country.
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Date of establishment: 1968
Member of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs:
Member of the World Alliance of YMCAs:
Staff: 5
Local branches: 5
Members: 200
Beneficiaries: 3,700
Networks: National Associaton of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO)
Funders: UNICEF
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Youth education through sports
Targeting 15,000 youth in all 5 branches, this programme has a strong HIV/AIDS focus but also involves other aspects. It includes:
- Talent identification and development in the following sports: soccer, netball, basketball, and volleyball
- AIDS awareness and education
- Access to health and reproductive health facilities through networking agencies
- Creation of networks within civil society to rebuild a strong united movement
- Peer education
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The Zimbabwe National Council of Young Men's Christian Association contributes towards the spiritual, physical, intelletual, cultural, economic and socio-political well being of young people and marginalised groups through empowerment programmes and promotion of sustainable development. The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCA endeavours to create open and creative programmes, a strong and active membership base which sustains the work of the organisation. The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCA shall work and collaborate with the World Alliance of YMCAs and other YMCAs and organisations.
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The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCAs was established in 1968 with a mission to unite young people of Christian faiths, transcending all divisions and barriers of class, creed, colour, role, gender, age, nationality and religious denominations or political persuasion. Zimbabwe YMCA has over the years worked with a number of partners who include YCI, YMCA USA, Canada YMCA, Swedish YMCA/YWCA, and Kitchener-Waterloo.
The above mentioned partners supported different projects and programmes such as the Gender, Family Life Education Project (FLEP), Teen Service, Harare After School Project (HASP) and a number of emergency relief projects, notably disaster projects. These included the 2000 Cycolne Eline disaster and the 2005 internally displaced people from the government instituted clean-up campaign.
A youth leadership development initiative with the support of the Swedish YMCA/YWCA developed some young and dynamic leaders with some now in leadership positions within and outside the organisation.
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Norman Matepo
Acting National General Secretary
National Council of Zimbabwe YMCAs
21st Avenue, Mabelreign
P O Box M160, Mabelreign
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel.: +263 4 2918011 / +263 23 518564
Email: zimymca@yahoo.com
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