Online Reporter
We publish here the speech delivered by President Mnangagwa at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme in Harare yesterday.It is my honour and privilege to be addressing you once again, barely a month since we met in Bulawayo Province to celebrate the National Youth Day.
Today, we are gathered to witness yet another great stride by the Second Republic in our endeavour to realise the development, empowerment and prosperity of the youth of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.
This event, which marks the official launch of the “Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme” is being held under the theme, “Fuel Youth: Ignite the Future.”
This programme includes aspects that resulted from the various interactions I have had with you, the youth, and the tours I have taken across provinces which exposed me to your pressing needs and requirements.
My Administration is a listening Government, you the youth spoke; I listened and my Government is delivering.
This scheme is, therefore, yet another testament that my Administration is indeed undertaking all-encompassing programmes towards improving the quality of life of all Zimbabweans. As we march forward to realise Vision 2030, no one and no place will be left behind, regardless of age, gender or where one lives.
The aspirations and hopes of all the youth of our country, from Plumtree to Mutare and Chirundu to Beitbridge, form the bedrock, foundation and main pillars of the projects and initiatives that will commence under the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme.
The youth are the future and you constitute a large portion of our country’s total population. Your eagerness, zeal and enthusiasm to participate in the social, economic and political affairs of our nation, gives us as a Party and Government great pride.
In undertaking programmes of this nature, the Youth League is living up to the dictates of the Party’s Constitution in Article 25.
Section 325 (1) enjoins you to mobilise the youth for the full participation in political, social, cultural and economic affairs of the country.
Under Section 325 (7), the Youth League also has a duty to promote, foster and encourage skills development and self-reliance among the youth, which is echoed in our national Constitution in Section 20 (b) and 20 (c).
This programme I am launching today, therefore, dovetails with the spirit and letter of these provisions.
The symbiotic relations existing between the Ruling Party’s Youth League and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Skills Training are mutually beneficial and serve one constituency, our youth. Following the establishment of youth desks in Government ministries and the ongoing quest to ensure a conducive ease of doing business environment for the youth, notable strides are evident with regards to youth empowerment and inclusion in all sectors of the economy.
To advance this endeavour, today I am launching a US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Revolving Fund that is earmarked to fund youth income generating projects.
I am giving you 72 tractors, 10 combine harvesters, 10 vehicles for provincial youths, and 10 rigs for boreholes.”
In addition, I am launching a US$5 million Presidential Youth Mining Equipment Scheme for our young artisanal miners. These two initiatives are just but a few of the many that will follow in due course.
As you distribute these resources, I urge you to exercise high levels of morality and ethical consideration.
The schemes must identify deserving and capable youth. No to favouritism and corruption. I want this to be an enduring and sustainable fund which benefits the majority of our country’s youth.
Hence, the US$2 million fund must not be taken as a free hand-out but administered as a revolving one that issues loans which are paid back for the benefit of many more people after.
The Youth Empower Bank will administer the fund. My Government will be mobilising more financial resources towards this initiative.
Additionally, from the US$50 million Financing Facility that my Government is mobilising to accelerate irrigation development, for climate proofing agriculture, US$10 million will be reserved for the youth in agriculture.
As these programmes unfold, the Youth League national structures will be capacitated to offer technical assistance, as well as monitor and evaluate progress of these schemes for sustainability.
To this end, use of technology is the way to go to enhance productivity.
I acknowledge Youth Development and Empowerment Strategic Partners who have heeded our call for partnerships in resource mobilisation for this Scheme.
Your unwavering support and patriotism is applauded. I challenge other market leaders, entrepreneurs and patriotic citizens to come on board in support of this noble idea that is empowering our next generation, including through the pursuit of business mentoring and capacity building initiatives.
Together let us build our country, brick by brick, stone upon stone; “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-kelwe ngabanikazi balo.”
The ZANU PF Government under my leadership is walking the talk and delivering results to the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. As we continue to explore avenues to deliberately empower the youth, who are our future leaders, the Second Republic, has appointed many young people into strategic areas of governance and decision making.
This is designed to create an ideologically sound and experienced cadreship in all facets of our society. These young people are performing incredibly well so far. Well done.
Furthermore, my Administration has implemented tangible youth empowerment projects such as the piggery, heifer and poultry schemes, among others.
In addition, land for both agriculture and housing has been availed and is currently being distributed to ensure that our youth can run profitable agricultural businesses and also build decent homes.
Hard honest work pays, while focus, discipline and professionalism in all business endeavours are indispensable values for the success and prosperity of our nation. This culture should be preached and entrenched among you, our young people.
Discipline and unity of purpose amongst the rank and file of the youth remain the compass for a united ZANU PF and a nation that is living in peace and harmony.
The youth are the vanguard of the Party. As such, you are called upon to remain, patriotic, loyal and united in defence of our colossal mass Party, ZANU PF. To be sustainably empowered, moving in unison and exhibiting high levels of discipline are critically important.
We are one united Party and an indivisible nation. Let us continue to stand strong in defence of our freedom, peace and independence. We are charting our own course towards a shared prosperity for all our people.
In doing so, the youth should never forget our rich heritage and traditions, as a proud African people.
I once again congratulate the first batch of the programme beneficiaries. I wish you all success in your various business endeavours.
I urge you to continue with proactive forward planning and the promotion of results and benchmarks that will propel the overall prosperity of our country.
Transparency and integrity in administering your projects is of uttermost importance, do not be found wanting.
At the regional and continental levels, we have the SADC Vision 2050 and the AU Agenda 2063. In your business models, there is need to look beyond our own country, into the SADC region, continent and globally.
The Youth Owned Businesses of Zimbabwe should situate themselves in this respect and play their part.
Innovation, the use of emerging technologies and deployment of ICTs to create new product lines, penetrate value chains and global markets are now essential ingredients to realise business success. I expect youth-led business to be up to the challenge.
In your various business fields, I urge you to constantly upskill, and entrench a learning culture towards improving efficiencies and profitability.
The importance of good environmental practices in all sectors of the economy cannot be over emphasised.
I, therefore, call upon entrepreneurs and the youth in business to be good citizens in the management of our environment, communities, cities and towns.
To this end, the Youth League and the Ministry of Youth should be more visible in the National Clean Up days which are set aside as the first Friday of every month.
In the spirit of Ubuntu, “I am because we are’, I exhort the youth of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, to uphold the culture of voluntarism and community service in aid of the vulnerable, elderly and disabled.
You must also play your role in the development of community infrastructure such as roads, schools and clinics.
In concluding, the youth are assured that my Government will continue to prioritise well-coordinated and seamless grassroots based youth empowerment programmes.
No one will be left behind. Vision 2030 is becoming a reality. Forward ever, backwards never.
With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme officially launched.
Pamberi ne ZANU-PF.
Pamberi nekubatana.
Pamberi neYouth yakarongenga.
Pasi neMhandu.
God bless you.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.
