Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
YOUTH Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister, Tino Machakaire, has expressed concern over what he termed the “erratic disbursement” of funding for his portfolio during the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) period — a five-year blueprint which concludes in December this year.
Speaking during the Ministry’s Strategic Planning Workshop, which commenced in Bulawayo yesterday, Machakaire said that despite notable achievements realised during NDS1 (2021–2025), there were challenges along the way that must be addressed as the country transitions to NDS2.
“During the NDS1 period, I noted the following key challenges that we need to seriously consider during this workshop. Disbursement of funds by the Treasury was erratic, and we frequently received only half of the approved budget. This affected our performance and highlights the need to strengthen our capacity for resource mobilisation, both within and beyond Government structures,” said the Minister.
He noted that the Youth Ministry is one of the largest in Government, yet the impact of its programmes has not been felt as strongly as it should. With a youth dividend of over four million, Minister Machakaire said his portfolio should be driving national transformation — something that calls for an innovative strategy.
He expressed concern that provincial and district structures were not adequately supported, both administratively and in terms of programming.
“Limited capacity, lack of stationery, and office furniture have compromised our operations. This workshop must come up with deliberate strategies to empower our provincial and district offices. It aims to chart our course for the second phase of the Second Republic’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society by 2030, as it relates to our Ministry’s mandate,” said the Minister.
Machakaire said they have since engaged the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to capitalise Empower Bank to the tune of US$10 million. While the final details are still being worked out, the proposal has been accepted in principle.
He said that with the rollout of NDS2 beginning in January next year, Government expectations are higher and the needs of young people are becoming more complex.
“The time to make a real difference is now,” said Minister Machakaire.
As such, he said the strategic planning workshop must produce well-thought-out strategies, interventions, and activities to address the challenges facing the youth.
“As I have already emphasised, this time it cannot be business as usual. We must adopt systems thinking to produce disruptive, dynamic, data-driven, and results-oriented strategies. As your leadership, we will continue to mobilise more resources to ensure that our mandate is fulfilled,” said Minister Machakaire.
To guide deliberations in the coming days, he stressed the need to break down silos, as the name of the Ministry clearly reflects a unified entity.
Minister Machakaire challenged officials from his Ministry to integrate their operations and avoid a silo mentality.
“We are one team, and we must work, win and rise together. For example, a young person should be able to receive training through the Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ), acquire technical skills at a Vocational Training Centre (VTC), and access start-up financing from Empower Bank,” he said.
