By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THIRTY young women in Beitbridge have been equipped with practical beauty therapy skills aimed at promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship following their graduation from Glamour Beauty Academy on Saturday.
The graduates, drawn from the academy’s May and June intake, completed training in nail technology, massage therapy, makeup artistry, hair installation, hairdressing and eyelash application, skills expected to enable them to start their own businesses and generate income.
The graduation marked the academy’s first combined ceremony for two classes since establishing operations in the border town.
Speaking at the event, Young Women 4ED Provincial Agriculture Head, Lindiwe Nguluvhe, said vocational skills training was a critical tool for empowering women and fostering economic independence.
“Today you’re not just collecting certificates. You’re collecting proof – proof that your hands can create, your talent can earn, and your dreams are valid,” she said.
Nguluvhe said the graduates had gained valuable life and business skills during their training.
“A skill in your hands means independence in your life. No one can take this from you. You can start with one chair, one client, one day at a time. And from there, you can build a salon, train others and employ others,” she said.
She challenged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities.
One of the academy’s directors, Patrick Mudheyi, said the institution was committed to promoting skills development as a pathway to employment creation and economic empowerment.
“Our vision is to make a lasting impact across our country by empowering people with practical beauty skills. In support of Vision 2030, we are committed to contributing to skills development, job creation and the economic empowerment of our people,” he said.
Mudheyi said the academy’s expansion from Bulawayo to Beitbridge reflected growing demand for vocational training opportunities.
“We started in Bulawayo, expanded to Beitbridge, and our goal is to continue growing into different cities so that we can reach and transform even more lives in line with national development goals,” he said.
He noted that in the current economic environment, practical skills were increasingly becoming essential for survival and economic participation.
“In today’s economy, having a skill is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. We are proud that our graduates now have valuable skills that will enable them to create employment, start their own businesses and support their families and communities,” said Mudheyi.
The graduation comes at a time when vocational and entrepreneurial training is being promoted as a key strategy for tackling youth unemployment and enhancing economic participation among women and young people across Zimbabwe.