Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
Herald Reporter
HUNDREDS of youths on Friday converged at New Parliament Building for the second edition of the Youth Inclusive budget conference organised by the Parliamentary Youth Caucus in partnership with the Zimbabwe Institute and the Zimbabwe Youth Council.
The conference, which was held under the theme: “Empowering The Young Drivers of Economic Growth and Transformation for Sustainable Development to Deliver Vision 2030”.
The young people who were representing various Government ministries were afforded opportunities to give their views and aspirations in the 2026 National budget, focusing on their needs and wants.
Speaking during the conference, Stanley Sakupwanya, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, said he was thrilled to work with young people and had high hopes that their voices would be heard for national development.
“At the national youth budget held last year, many doubted whether the voices of young people could truly shape the national budget,” he said.
“But you, the youth, proved them wrong. You spoke boldly, you raised difficult issues, and you demanded action. Today, we can look back and say with confidence, your voice made a difference.”
He said that one of the most powerful outcomes of last year’s conference was the fight against
alcohol and substance abuse, especially the dangerous brew known as ‘mukozodo’.
“This poison is destroying our brothers, our sisters, our friends, and our communities,” he said.
“Here, in this very space, you demanded that the Government take action to save lives. And because of your advocacy, today we celebrate a major victory: the establishment of the Drug and Substance Abuse Fund under Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025 and the
banning of harmful, illegal alcohol products.”
Sakupwanya said the 2025 Budget further demonstrated the Government’s commitment to combating this menace by allocating resources to equip drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres and capacitating law enforcement agencies to undertake
surveillance and policing of drug dealers.
“This is proof that when young people unite for a cause, even the mightiest of challenges can be overcome,” he said.
“We also cannot forget the heartfelt call that came from young women and girls who asked, simply, for dignity. The issue of free sanitary wear was raised so passionately last year, and once again, your voices reached the ears of decision-makers.
“Today, because of that push, free sanitary wear has been placed in the national budget. This
was not just a policy change, it was a triumph for dignity, equality, and justice for every girl child in Zimbabwe. But the victories extend far beyond these two landmark achievements.
“Your advocacy for youth empowerment has yielded remarkable results across multiple sectors. The Government has allocated ZiG670 million to support Rural Development interventions anchored on value-adding and beneficiating agricultural produce, to
establish 35 000 village business units, 4 800 youth business units, and 9,600 school business units. This means that young entrepreneurs across our 35,000 villages will have structured support to build sustainable businesses that add value to our agricultural
products.
He applauded the Government for increased funding to empowerment banks.
“The 2025 Budget has significantly capitalised institutions that directly serve young entrepreneurs: Zimbabwe Women Micro Finance Bank received ZiG130 million, Empower Bank for the Youth received ZiG77.4 million, the Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Corporation received ZiG130 million, and the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe received ZiG108 million specifically to support upcoming start-ups and MSMEs,” he said. “These allocations demonstrate that the Government recognises
young people as the drivers of innovation and job creation.”
Sakupwanya said the 2025 National Budget stood as testimony to the power of youth advocacy and the Government’s commitment to empowering young people as drivers of economic growth.
“But these victories also come with responsibility. Oversight is not only the work of Members of Parliament. Oversight is also the duty of citizens, especially the youth, because it is your future that is being shaped in these decisions,” he said.
“It is a chance for you to step into the shoes of a legislator, to understand what it means to debate, to question, to hold government accountable, and to propose bold solutions.
“By taking part in these processes, you are also training yourselves to be the lawmakers and leaders of tomorrow.”
