Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
The ZANU PF Manicaland Youth League has invested the US$200 000 Presidential Youth Empowerment Fund into a new public transport venture, aiming to grow the capital and gradually channel resources to its grassroots structures.
The bus company, Manica Go, began operations last week on the Mutare–Harare route with two modern, state of the art buses.
The initiative has already created jobs for drivers and conductors, while improving access to safe and reliable transport for travellers.
Manicaland provincial youth chairman, Cde Stanley Sakupwanya, praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for providing the revolving fund, describing it as a life changing resource that has enabled youths across the country to launch vital commercial projects.
He explained that the province chose the transport sector to quickly multiply the funds, with plans to reinvest profits into other sustainable projects across Manicaland.
“The bus project stemmed from the Presidential Youth Empowerment programme that was launched by President Mnangagwa last year. Provinces were handed US$200 000 to engage in meaningful business. The expectation is that sustainable projects will fund youth empowerment at grassroots level rather than it being a once-off payment that yields very little return on investment. Manicaland Youth League leadership decided to purchase two buses with the funds, and the buses have already started operations. As will be the case with any other business, results will not be instant. We expect to build up and retain profits over a reasonable period before we finally disburse them in the form of revolving empowerment funds to organised youths across all eight administrative districts of the party.
Our vision is that this will be an ongoing process. Once empowerment starts, it will not stop.
“Our visionary President did the hardest part of availing capital, and the onus is on us to capitalise on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and repay our President’s trust in the youth with deliverable results,” said Cde Sakupwanya.
He added: “The company is operating as a professional business entity and there is no room for fun and games. We do not want to disappoint the President, and we should be a shining example to other provinces.”
Besides the US$200 000 fund allocated to the youths, the ruling party is also carrying out a number of initiatives to empower youths, with notable projects such as the affordable residential stands in Chipinge District where hundreds of youths are now proud owners of housing stands.
The youths were also empowered under the Presidential Heifer Pass-On Scheme. The initiative, launched by President Mnangagwa in 2022, was aimed at restoring the livelihoods of rural households that were devastated by the January disease (theileriosis) outbreak in recent years.
The scheme is designed to ensure food security and nutrition for vulnerable communities, with beneficiaries expected to pass on calves from the cattle they would have received to others, to sustain the initiataive.
Cde Sakupwanya also affirmed the youth league’s firm support for Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, inspired by the work and progress being championed by President Mnangagwa.
He emphasised that the youth league is the vanguard of the party, and further underscored that these gains and struggles were achieved through the sacrifice and courage of war veterans, whose legacy continues to inspire and strengthen the nation’s march forward.
