Nkosentsha Khumalo
OPINION
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s whirlwind of highly publicized graduation ceremonies may seem like a cause for celebration, but the harsh truth is that most of these newly minted graduates will face a bleak future, with little to no opportunities for employment in a country plagued by economic stagnation.
Of late, President Mnangagwa has been presiding over graduation ceremonies, as recently witnessed at the Midlands State University (MSU)’s 25th graduation ceremony in Gweru, where over 6 000 students were conferred with degrees.
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) also bore witness to President Mnangagwa’s graduation tour, with the President capping a momentous 3 201 students who received their degrees during the grand ceremony.
Significantly, this cohort became the first graduates to cross the finish line under the auspices of the President’s visionary Heritage-Based Education 5.0 programme, which ironically is said will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to drive national development and economic growth.
In his University tour de force, President Mnangagwa also descended upon the Gwanda State University campus, adorned in cap and gown, to bestow his blessings on the 126 newly-minted graduands.
Epoch Mine Campus sports arena in Filabusi, Insiza district, Matabeleland South province, bore witness to the momentous occasion, marking the institution’s third graduation ceremony.
Also, in the spirit of fostering the next generation of industry leaders, President Mnangagwa graced the podium at Lupane State University (LSU), bestowing degrees upon a proud cohort of 1,708 graduates, an event that also celebrated the institution’s first class of students under the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 framework.
Pioneered by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, the Education 5.0 programme aspires to nurture self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among Zimbabwe’s students, equipping them with the skills and mindset to create their own employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
But where will these graduates get the capital to start their own businesses?
The reality of Zimbabwe’s job market is a direct contrast to the President’s optimistic speeches and the triumphant moments of cap and gown.
As thousands of students join the ranks of the unemployed each year, the vicious cycle of high unemployment persists, becoming an unshakable stigma that threatens the hopes and dreams of the nation’s youth.
In a country where dreams go to die, Zimbabwe’s highly educated young population are finding that the ink on their degrees has dried up before their futures could take shape. While their degrees and diplomas once held the promise of a better life, they now lie as bitter reminders of a cruel reality, where corruption has tightened its grip on the nation’s economy, leaving graduates in a perpetual state of limbo
Despite the lure of the Public Service Commission (PSC), touted as a beacon of employment, many graduates find themselves in a years-long limbo, clutching their precious degrees while being left stranded in a sea of unemployed hopefuls.
The cruel irony of Zimbabwe’s education system becomes apparent as many graduates, donning their academic gowns with pride, find themselves on a heartbreaking downward spiral, slowly losing grip of their dreams and ambitions.
As a vicious cycle takes hold, they are often forced to abandon their hard-earned skills and embrace menial jobs to make ends meet, with garden work, farm labour, and waitressing replacing the coveted roles of engineers, teachers, and accountants.
In a testament to the country’s high unemployment rate, the streets of Bulawayo recently became a stage for a tragic theatre of disillusioned graduates.
A long line of dejected individuals, many holding degrees from prestigious universities, queued for hours in hopes of securing a humble position as a waiter at Pizza Slice.
This heartbreaking sight
became testament of the employment situation in the country, with these qualified individuals reduced to begging for jobs that fall far short of their educational attainment.
Even at the queue outside Pizza Slice, a sad chorus of despair emerged amongst graduates who shared their stories of frustration, despair, and broken dreams.
For many graduates, the sad truth was the same that despite years of waiting for jobs through the Public Service Commission, their efforts had yielded little more than empty promises and shattered hopes.
Most disheartened graduates were wary that seemingly, lt’s only who you know that counts in this country.
The graduates’ plight reflected a reality of Zimbabwean society, where meritocracy had long been overshadowed by favoritism and nepotism.
Even at the Pizza Slice, tales of backdoor dealings, bribes, and nepotism were the major rumours doing circles within the crowd.
Most graduates thought their degrees would open doors, but it seems to count for nothing in this country.
The domino effect of unemployment stretches through all aspects of life, as young male and female graduates find themselves trapped in a grim cycle of delayed adulthood.
For some male graduates, marriage becomes a distant dream, their prospects dimmed by a lack of stable income and the crushing burden of societal expectations. The few lucky enough to wed are often in their late 30s or even 40s, a far cry from the youthful aspirations of their university days.
For some female graduates, the desperation to secure a steady income and a stable future has led to darker, more dangerous paths.
The soul crushing weight of poverty and disillusionment has driven a growing number of female graduates into the murky world of prostitution. Trapped in a system that offers few legitimate opportunities, these young women, once full of hope and ambition, now resort to selling their bodies for a few dollars, an attempt to stave off the wolves of hunger and deprivation.
The indignity of this desperate act is not lost on the women, who once envisioned careers in law, medicine, or education.
The impact of unemployment, coupled with the betrayal of a broken system, has sent many graduates into a spiral of despair. As opportunities continue to dwindle, some have turned to illicit vices as an escape from reality, while others have opted for a life of crime, shattering the dreams and ambitions that once defined their lives.
Some youths are so full of life when they graduate, but now just sit on bridges all day, doing nothing like as if they have given up on life.
While most graduates struggle to contain their disappointment, a ripple effect of heartbreak and anguish spreads into their homes and families as well.
Some parents, who would have invested so much time, money, and hope in their children’s education, are at the end left bewildered and disillusioned.
Parents, who would have worked tirelessly to finance their children’s university education, are at first so proud when their children graduate, but end up beginning to wonder if it was all worth it.
What then is the use of a degree if it doesn’t get you anywhere?.
While President Mnangagwa’s graduation tour became a highlight of the year, with hundreds of proud parents and friends cheering on the sidelines, graduates have left with the harsh reality of a dilapidated economy and a job market on life support.
The graduation ceremonies constrasted the symbol of the nation’s intellectual prowess and a beacon of hope for its youth.
Despite the illustrious commencement speeches and the thunderous applause, the new graduates are now faced with the reality of limited opportunities in a country mired in economic doldrums.
Zim GBC News© 2024