The Empowered Students Workshop, a youth development initiative aimed at shaping Zimbabwe’s next generation of leaders, is set to return to Harare next month, with organisers placing renewed emphasis on inclusion, resilience and purpose.
Now in its third year, the workshop will take place on May 2 at the Archdiocese of Harare Jubilee Centre, bringing together students, mentors and community leaders for a one-day program focused on personal growth and leadership.
The workshop follows a successful January edition that drew hundreds of students and introduced practical tools for navigating challenges, setting goals and building confidence.
Organisers say this year’s event will expand on that momentum, with a stronger focus on ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds, including vulnerable communities, have access to mentorship and inspiration.
The program will be led by life coach Tafadzwa “Coach Taf” Mukoyi, with Lucia Tarie Urayai serving as moderator.
A lineup of speakers and mentors, including creative entrepreneur Adiona Chidzonga, teen author Yeshua Dzumbira, public speaker Quinton Dongo and Sister Diana Kanyere will contribute perspectives drawn from their personal and professional experiences.
At the centre of the workshop are three core themes: goal setting and focus, purity and purpose, and digital responsibility.
Organisers say the aim is to equip students with practical strategies for navigating both personal development and the demands of an increasingly digital world.
Inclusion is a defining feature of this year’s event. Students from local orphanages have been invited to attend, with individuals and organisations encouraged to sponsor participation for those who may not otherwise have access.
Organisers say the approach is designed to ensure that no young person is excluded from opportunities for growth because of their circumstances.
“We created this platform because we believe every young person, regardless of their background or ability, deserves to see what is possible for their life,” said organiser Liz Dziva.
“When students sit in the same space with mentors who have overcome real challenges, something shifts in them. They begin to believe that their circumstances do not have to limit their future.”
The event will also spotlight stories of resilience through guest speakers such as Tadiwa Chiposi, a young community influencer living with a disability, and Blessing Fire, an award-winning dancer who overcame physical challenges after being told he would never walk.
Their participation, organisers say, is intended to challenge perceptions and inspire both disabled and able-bodied students.
Coach Taf emphasised the workshop’s broader goal of helping young people redefine their sense of identity and potential.
“This workshop is about reminding young people that their identity is not shaped by what they lack, but by what they choose to become,” he said. “Purpose is the anchor, and when a young person discovers it, no obstacle can hold them back.”
Since its launch two years ago, the Empowered Students Workshop has grown into a platform for fostering confidence, empathy and leadership among Zimbabwe’s youth.
By bringing together students from different social and economic backgrounds, the initiative aims to build not only skills but a shared sense of belonging.
Organisers say the long-term goal is to nurture a generation that is equipped to lead with both competence and compassion — qualities they see as essential to Zimbabwe’s future.
Click https://forms.gle/uKHmQAuo2H85FAGf8 to register. For further information, contact edziva@gmail.com.
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