Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza, Chronicle Correspondent
LOCAL youths and women, who often feel left out of socio-economic initiatives, have been urged to grab opportunities that will be availed by the newly established Action for Empowerment Zimbabwe (AEZ).
The interim leadership of AEZ, a grassroots, ward and national based socio-economic empowerment organisation, met with President Mnangagwa at State House this week to introduce itself and outline the organisation’s vision, mission and objectives.
Matabeleland youths and women have been urged to be at the forefront of taking up opportunities that AEZ will bring to the region.
“We are saying AEZ will make sure that the youths and women of Matabeleland have access to loans, resources, such as land and equipment, as well as access to skills training. Our aim is also to attract and engage the private sector to be up-takers of products made by young people so that everyone who works with AEZ has a ready market for their products,” said AEZ interim vice president Mr Albert Mavunga.
“It’s important to note that we are not only concentrating on urbanites, but are a broad-based organisation that will reach all corners of the country, including rural areas,” he said.
Mr Mavunga is based in Bulawayo and has done extensive work with Smile for Africa, a non-governmental organisation that he founded in the Matabeleland.
“There is an information gap on the various opportunities that young people can take advantage of out there, so we are closing that gap by providing information and lobbying the private sector and Government on how best they can work with the youths.
“AEZ is easily accessible to anyone in the southern parts of the country as we have offices in Bulawayo and we can also be accessed on social media platforms for easy interaction and engagements,” said Mr Mavunga.
President Mnangagwa implored AEZ to live up to its name by moving beyond mere rhetoric and provide real empowerment to the people.
President Mnangagwa urged AEZ to create programmes that give rise to people empowerment during their meeting.
AEZ interim president Mr Alson Darikayi said they are a new inclusive economic empowerment mass movement with a vision to empower the people of Zimbabwe.
“We want to take economic empowerment to the remotest parts of the country. In terms of our membership drive, Action Empowerment Zimbabwe is a ward-based movement. We have already set up structures across the country,” said Mr Darikayi. — @RaymondJaravaza
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