Minister of Finance and ILO Director tours Youth Exhibitions

“People do not appreciate fine art”

lamented one of the artists at the knowledge fair convened during the recently concluded Eastern and Southern Africa Youth Employment Knowledge Sharing Forum. Beneficiaries who had received training from the ‘Skills for Youth Employment and Rural Development Programme’ and other partners working on youth employment, Restless Development and Royal Business Trust showcased their products. During one of the sessions, the beneficiaries shared testimonies about how through the training they had acquired, their lives had been transformed. Participants were invited to see the evidence at the various booths. One of the beneficiaries, who was a carpenter had made furniture for a kitchen, living room and bedroom and the bed linen was made by another beneficiary, who had studied interior decoration.

During a tour of the knowledge fair, the ILO Country Director, Ms Hopolang Phororo accompanied Honourable Chinamasa, Minister of Finance, who interacted with the beneficiaries as they explained to him how the training that was provided had transformed their lives. The artists from Bulawayo lamented that their products moved very slowly since they was no appreciation for fine arts. They indicated that people would rather buy the cheaper ornamental pieces from China, as opposed to buying their pieces, which had a story. When asked whether anyone had purchased any pieces to date, they shrugged 'People said they would come back but whether they will, we don't know...' It seems they doubted the promises people made. The Minister suggested that the artists should improve on the aspects to increase the visibility of their products. A beneficiary, who had studied cosmetology proudly and confidently mentioned that she did massages, facials, pedicures and manicures and during the Forum, she had received a number of clients.

The solar products were showcased and the merits of using solar power, particularly in the rural areas were well articulated by the beneficiaries, who are trained by SNV. They indicated that they had become entrepreneurs and spoke with great confidence.

The knowledge fair provided an excellent platform for the beneficiaries to interact with participants and to network and establish contacts for the future, particularly in terms of purchasing the products during the tea and lunch breaks.