Online Reporter
Harare Bureau
HIGHLIGHTING the importance of accountability in public resource utilisation, President Mnangagwa yesterday urged beneficiaries of Government empowerment schemes to produce tangible outcomes.
He was speaking during the handover of equipment—including tipper trucks and front-end loaders — to youth groups under the US$2 million Presidential Youth Fund launched earlier this year.
This marked the second batch of equipment distributed to provinces across the country, with Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Harare being the latest recipients.
Speaking to journalists after the handover ceremony, President Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of accountability and visible outcomes from the youth.
“I hope that, down the line, they will come back to me as President and say, ‘Mr President, you empowered us with this equipment, and here are the results of that empowerment.’ Last time I gave them equipment… they have not come back yet,” he said.
The President then shared a light-hearted moment with the youth in attendance, joking, “I hope this time they will come back. If they don’t, then I will make sure I declare them old,” prompting laughter from the crowd.
President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Second Republic’s commitment to creating opportunities for the country’s youth, recognising them as a vital demographic in Zimbabwe’s development.
Over the years, the Government has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at empowering young people and positioning them as key contributors to the nation’s economic growth.
“This is not the first time we are empowering our youth… this is a process that has been ongoing for a long time. We continue, both as Zanu- PF and as Government, to empower our youth because the future of the country is in the hands of our young people.
“So, it is critically important that we empower them now and ensure they are committed to their country… committed to developing their country.
“They must be a generation that leaves a legacy, one that future generations can look back on and say, ‘Look at what we achieved when we were young and leading the youth.’ So we, as leaders, are empowering them… it is now up to them to make use of this equipment,” said President Mnangagwa.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire, who also serves as Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, said each province had the freedom to select the type of equipment they needed for income-generating projects under the revolving fund.
“We do not impose what they should choose for their income-generating projects… they have selected what they want, based on how they intend to use the machinery.
“This equipment will benefit youth in villages and local communities. We have been given a mandate to monitor and supervise the use of this machinery,” he said.
Minister Machakaire also expressed gratitude to the President for his unwavering support for youth empowerment.
“We want to thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa for putting in place a system that prevents corruption among our youth. I also want to thank the President for initiating this noble programme to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
