Participate in economic activities, youth urged

Zimpapers Elections Desk

THE youth must take advantage of business opportunities created under the Second Republic to empower themselves, Zanu-PF Youth Quota candidate in the Midlands Province, Cde Kudakwashe David Mnangagwa, has said.

The Government is taking youth empowerment seriously with a youth desk having been opened in all ministries. Cde Mnangagwa said youth empowerment is one of the key priorities that he needs to focus on if he gets into office.

He was speaking during political parties engagement meeting in Gweru dubbed “What’s there for Midlands youths and women”, which was organised by a local media company ‘Tell Zimbabwe’. The meeting featured political actors from the ruling Zanu- PF party, MDC, CCC and ZCPD.

Cde Mnangagwa, who is also a successful business entrepreneur, said youths must not just seek employment but must instead create jobs.

“As youths, we are the future of the country and in that regard we must participate very actively in economic activities in this country. We have seen huge strides in infrastructural development that have been spearheaded by the Second Republic in different sectors, which opened a lot of job opportunities for the youths,” he said.

“However, we must go beyond that, we also need to take advantage of those economic developments to become entrepreneurs so that we can also create jobs for the next generation.”

Cde Mnangagwa said the Second Republic has created an economic framework that is inclusive and promotes industrialisation and youths should be actively involved.

“I would like to tell you that there are a lot of untapped opportunities that have been created by our Government in all economic sectors and the whole ethos of the economic model opened doors for us youths.

“If you look at the mining and agriculture sector over the past years, you agree with me that a lot of youths have benefited,” he said.

“It is my desire to continue pushing for youth involvement so that we can also contribute significantly towards the attainment of vision 2030.”

Cde Mnangagwa said the youth should be patriotic and desist from tarnishing the image of the country, pointing out that the development of the country comes from people who love their country.

“The ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo’ philosophy is a deep-rooted philosophy that we must all follow as patriotic Zimbabweans so that we can build our nation together,” he said.

“We are the owners of the land and all its resources and we must be the architects of our nation and build our nation together. As the youth we must engage in constructive discussion rather than wasting energy spreading toxic and hate speech.”

Vice president of the newly formed party, Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD) led by Trust Chikohora, Lucia Matibenga, said her party is going to push for inclusivity when it gets into power.

“The development of our nation requires the participation of all and that includes women and people with disabilities,” she said.

“Our party believes in democracy, which is the rule by the majority. If you look at the Zimbabwean population you would see that women constitute 52 percent of the total population and if the decision-making process leaves out women it means there is no democracy in the country.

CCC candidate for Silobela constituency Ephraim Ndlovu said if his party wins it will dump the local currency.