adminInnocent Katsande
The decade-long economic sanctions on Zimbabwe have violated provisions of the UN Charter on State sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of our country. The result has been economic deprivation and human suffering on all Zimbabweans and thus has negatively affected the performance of our local industry and our economy at large.
As we see it, the sanctions constitute a form of hostility and violence against our quest to fully indigenise our economy and benefit from the resources that are rightfully ours. Much has been the struggle for the rest of the African continent as African countries continue to suffer at the hands of Western countries, whose industrialisation largely depended on African resources in the past and up to now they still hope to maintain their grip on the means of production of African economies, particularly in the mining, oil and agriculture sectors.
Given the current complexity of our economic environment and the challenges we face today as a nation first and also as a continent it is imperative that our youth be resolute in fighting the now relevant war for economic freedom that lies before us.
As we seek to fully indigenise our economy and draw value out of Government policy, it is important that young people appreciate the fact that each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. Despite the challenges we face going forward the generation of young people growing up now will have opportunities beyond anything we’ve ever known.
In mining the sector has made significant contribution to the economic turnaround drive since 2009. The average share of mining to GDP grew from an average of 10,2 percent in the 1990s to an average of 16,9percent from 2009 onward. Mineral exports, on the other hand, rose by about 230 percent over the 2009-11 periods, making mining the leading export sector.
By the end of 2011, mineral exports accounted for 47 percent of total exports, led by platinum (43 percent), gold (28 percent) and diamonds (20 percent). In 2012, mineral exports accounted for 64 percent of total exports. The trend continues in 2013 and 2014 as we will witness a steady growth in exports.
Young people need to capitalise and maximise on the work already done, the mining sector is now begging to open up for indigenous people. Opportunities exist in prospecting and mining of various minerals including gold, coal, diamond, granite and platinum (of which Zimbabwe has the second largest reserves in the world after South Africa). Opportunities also exist in the beneficiation of the minerals such as cutting and polishing of diamonds, jewellery manufacturing and tile manufacturing, quarrying and mineral exploration.
An expert once said “I’ve always thought that a poor economy is the best opportunity for sales people because the naysayers and grumblers have already given up, leaving more territory, more opportunities to be successful than in a good economy when virtually all salespeople are out there, giving it their best.” The lesson there is that we should not be discouraged by challenges and limitations we face but that we should focus on our strength and that which we are able to do.
For the youth now is not the time to be desperate but the time to be strategically positioned for a host of opportunities in different sectors of our economy.
In the manufacturing and textile sector opportunities are available for cotton ginning, spinning, weaving, finishing textiles and knitting products with foreigners largely dominating the sector.
Under chemicals manufacturing fertilisers, insecticides, pests, paints, varnishes, soaps, detergents, inks, glues, polishes, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, petroleum products, rubber and plastic products remain opportunities that young people can explore and revive our productive capacity.
Looking at infrastructure development under the tourism sector construction of hotels and lodges in designated tourism zones is another opportunity that young people have not been asking about yet it has great potential in terms of contributions to the economy. In agriculture under agro-processing the country possesses a number of opportunities for investment, for instance meat processing, fruit juices, horticulture and floriculture, processing of cotton lint, sugar milling and timber processing.
However, to fully facilitate for the empowerment of young people through agriculture government still needs to ensure that youth get access to the remaining land available for agricultural activities.
In the agro-forestry sector opportunities that require land still remain, being primary production of food and cash crops, horticulture, game, wild life ranches, livestock, poultry farming, fishing and fish farming.
Under the services sector our City Councils need to step up in offering opportunities to young people to access stands for medium priced residential accommodation, Commercial and industrial buildings (industrial parks, factory shells & office accommodation.
Guided by the new constitution and the National Youth Policy young people need to begin to ride on the provisions Government has already made.
Constitution of Zimbabwe Youth Section 20:1 (b) and (c) states that: The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must take reasonable measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that youths, that is to say people between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five years —
- have access to appropriate education and training;
- have opportunities to associate and to be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life;
- are afforded opportunities for employment and other avenues to economic empowerment;
- have opportunities for recreational activities and access to recreational facilities; and
- are protected from harmful cultural practices, exploitation and all forms of abuse.
In reference to the National Youth Policy, Zimbabwe Youth Council recognises the work already done by Government and on behalf of the youth of Zimbabwe and appreciates the support and past effort of Government through the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment. What is required now going forward is the implementation of the newly launched Youth Policy by President Mugabe.
The youth have generally expressed their delight about the new document that now awaits the great test in terms of its popularisation and implementation, Government being at the forefront then the private sector. However, as Government implements, young people on the other hand must prepare and be positioned for meaningful participation and contribute to the nation’s economy. In terms of our New Youth Policy, Government recognised the demographic, socio-economic and political significance of the youth and the need to demonstrate its commitment to addressing their development and empowerment needs.
In the year 2000 the National Youth Policy was developed with the intention being to empower the youth in a comprehensive, co-ordinated multi-sectorial manner, by “creating an enabling environment and marshalling the resources necessary for undertaking programmes and fully developing the youths’ mental, moral, social, economic, political, cultural and their physical potential in order to improve their quality of life for the future.”
Innocent Katsande is the Communications Officer for Zimbabwe Youth Council.
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