dyton mupawaenda
Mutsawashe Mashandure-Herald Correspondent
The National Youth Policy is being revised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training to ensure that it is consistent with the demands and expectations of the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa.
Speaking during a workshop in Harare yesterday, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Macharike said his ministry was having a re-look at some of the youth development programmes within the policy so that they attend to the needs of youths.
He said the new youth policy should focus on job creation for youths and industrial growth, as well as economic empowerment projects.
“Our programming on youth development should therefore now focus on interventions that impact positively on the livelihoods of young people, job creation, and industrial growth.”
He said gone are the days when youths were often active participants and perpetrators of violence, saying the youth policy should emphasise more on youths playing a critical role in maintaining peace and the attainment of Vision 2030.
“His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa espoused his vision of seeing Zimbabwe become a middle-income economy with increased investment, decent jobs, broad-based empowerment, and freedom from poverty and corruption by 2030,” said Minister Machakaire.
“The Government recognises that young people are a critical resource both as participants and beneficiaries in maintaining peace and the attainment of Vision 2030.”
Minister Machakaire emphasised the need to involve youths in all their affairs. “Young people must be placed at the centre of all national development and decision-making strategies.
“We must come up with solutions that will make youth appreciate their Ministry. We want to see young people in our structures, and we need platforms for young people to bring out issues and their ideas,” he said.
To achieve all this, the Minister explored the essentiality of five working principles: respect, love, time, accountability, and giving hope to all young people.
Minister Machakaire came to the realisation that anything for the youths without the youths is indeed not for the youths.
“The Government needs to deliberate and come up with the best strategy for how they are going to develop and empower the young people in Zimbabwe,” he added.
He urged all guardians and parents to come together in the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youths and encouraged the youths to acquire life skills training at various vocational training centres in the country.
“I urge you to continue from here and enrol at our vocational training centres to further polish the various skills that you have acquired. I also exhort you to take advantage of available empowerment programmes in the Ministry as well as at Empower Bank, which is Zimbabwe’s youth-oriented bank,” he said.
“I encourage youth to stay away from drugs and other harmful substances and to always respect yourselves and act with dignity as leaders in your communities. Use the knowledge and skills you have acquired here to develop your communities, and always remember that: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” he said.
Mr. Machakaire hailed the government for introducing Empower Bank, which offers youth loans for different projects.
“Empower Bank promotes the setting up and expansion of youth-owned enterprises through the provision of loans for their business start-ups,” he said.
The Government advised the Zimbabwe Youth Council during the 31st Junior Parliament that it should take a robust approach to reach out and strengthen the youth associations throughout the country.
“It is your role to demystify them and help them realize their dreams. Many youth associations do not know the existence of ZYC.
The Minister appreciated Permanent Secretary Doctor Thokozile, for the work she had done in promoting youth in the Ministry.
“I would like to thank the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, for what she has done in promoting the youth ministry in Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter