Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
BENEFICIARIES of Government empowerment initiatives should bring back tangible results, showcasing the effective use of resources availed to them, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President made the remarks at State House in Harare yesterday while presenting a consignment of equipment, comprising tipper trucks and front-end loaders, to the youth under the US$2 million revolving Presidential Youth Fund, which he launched earlier in the year.
The consignment was the second batch of equipment availed to provinces across the country, with Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Harare being the latest beneficiaries.
Addressing journalists after handing over the equipment, President Mnangagwa said it was critical for youths to hold themselves accountable and deliver tangible outcomes.
“I hope that down the line they come back to me as President and say, Mr President, you empowered us with this type of equipment and these are the results of the empowerment you gave us. Last time I gave them . . . they have not come back yet,” he said.
The President then shared a lighter moment with the youths.
“I hope this time they will come back. If they don’t, then I will make sure I declare them old,” triggering laughter from those in attendance.
President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Second Republic’s commitment to unlocking opportunities for the country’s youth dividend.
Over the years, the Government has rolled out a plethora of initiatives to empower the youth, making them active players in the country’s current economic growth trajectory.
“This is not the first time we are empowering our youth . . . this is a process which has been ongoing for a long time.
“We continue, both as ZANU PF and as Government, to empower our youth because the future of the country is in the hands of our young people.
“So it is critically important that we empower them now and see that they are committed to their country . . . they are committed to developing their country.
“They are committed as a younger generation to leave a mark behind for those who come after them and say, look at what we did when we were young people leading the youth.
“So we, as leaders, are empowering them . . . it’s now up to them to make use of this equipment,” said President Mnangagwa.
On his part, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire, who is also the ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, said each province was choosing what they wanted to be availed to them for income generation under the revolving fund.
“We do not impose what they want to choose (for income generating projects) . . . they have chosen what they want, relating to what they are going to do with the machinery.
“This machinery is going to benefit the youth who are in the villages, the youth in cells. We were given a mandate to make sure that we monitor and supervise this machinery,” he said.
Minister Machakaire expressed gratitude to the President for walking the talk on youth empowerment.
“We want to thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa for putting in place a system whereby there are no corrupt activities amongst our youth,” he said.
“I want to thank His Excellency the President for coming up with this noble initiative to make sure that there’s no one who is left behind.”
