Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday fulfilled his commitment to distribute equipment for young people under the US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme Revolving Fund, aimed at fostering economic development in the country in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.
Zanu-PF youths drawn from four provinces took delivery of trucks yesterday at State House; these are the last batch of vehicles handed over to young people.
Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, represented President Mnangagwa in delivering the remaining trucks.
In an interview soon after cutting a ribbon to mark the official distribution of the vehicles, Dr Rushwaya said President Mnangagwa expected the youth to work hard in their different income‑generating projects.
“Indeed, the President launched the facility and delivered cars to all provinces of the youth league. When he initially distributed the equipment, there were not enough at that time.
“So today His Excellency the President is fulfilling his commitment, and the youths are taking delivery of the remaining equipment. We are happy that all the vehicles are there now and ready for delivery,” said Dr Rushwaya.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire commended President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership that has empowered every person in line with his thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.
“Let me appreciate the President for coming up with an impressive initiative to ensure we empower our youths. Remember we are facing a challenge of drug and substance abuse, and this is the solution,” said Minister Machakaire.
“This initiative will capacitate them to become employers and entrepreneurs, creating jobs for those looking for work in their provinces. This is the way to go. We want to promise the President that we will deliver. Whatever proceeds come out of the provinces, we will make sure we create a revolving fund among the provinces as guided by the President.”
He said a revolving fund would be created through proceeds from the project to cater to individual provinces.
“These youths have created companies within their provinces, so we will create a revolving fund within each province so that they can give loans to other youths who are doing well in their businesses,” he said.
Minister Machakaire, who is also the Zanu‑PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, challenged the youths to take heed of President Mnangagwa’s zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of the facilities provided.
He said President Mnangagwa was the brain behind the Youth Fund’s model of not giving provinces and individuals cash, but empowering them by providing equipment and other facilities to curb corruption.
Zanu-PF Youth League Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs in Midlands Province, Mr Vusa Manjonjo, hailed the facility, saying it will transform several lives.
“We have already registered companies, and some of the equipment that we took in the initial distribution exercise has already started hitting the ground running,” said Mr Manjonjo.
Zanu-PF Youth League Bulawayo provincial chairperson, Mr Freedom Murechu, said they would put the money to good use.
“As Bulawayo province we got three trucks. We had collected two, and today we took delivery of the third one. We are very happy with this facility because the trucks will go a long way in empowering young people,” said Mr Murechu.
Yesterday’s event marked a milestone initiated last year and included the supply of tipper trucks, front‑end loaders, and agricultural equipment to youth‑led projects across all provinces.
The equipment is intended for mining, transportation, and agricultural projects to empower young entrepreneurs to be producers rather than consumers.
The fund is structured as a revolving facility to ensure sustainability and viability.
The programme seeks to boost youth participation in the economy, create employment, and support infrastructure development.
In his address during the launch of the facility last year, President Mnangagwa said there was a symbiotic relationship between the ruling party’s Youth League and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Skills Training.
He said the two were working together for mutually beneficial objectives and serving one constituency: the youth.
Yesterday’s event was attended by Zanu-PF Deputy Secretary of the Youth League, Cde John Paradza.
