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Remember Deketeke Herald Correspondent
Entrepreneurship is the gateway to economic development and job creation, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire told the EmpowerBank youth empowerment initiative in Harare on Tuesday.
This initiative was brought by the EmpowerBank to motivate youths in creating their own employment by giving them loans to open and expand businesses and so boost and create employment.
“Our nation, through the leadership of His Excellency, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, values the role of youth in national development,” he said.
“In that regard, the Second Republic has to date launched several youth empowerment initiatives across the country’s key economic sectors such as the creation of EmpowerBank, a youth centric microfinance bank under the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.”
Minister Machakaire said young people were passionate about improving the economy, and they may do so by participating in the economy.
“The youth has the energy and innovative ideas to create a paradigm shift in the economic development of our Motherland.
“Through EmpowerBank and its youth empowerment financial services and solutions, the government is fostering a society in which youth are included and are given the means to meaningfully contribute to economic development,” he said.
Youths had to seize the chances for empowerment provided by the Second Republic.
“To all youth, I urge you to take the empowerment opportunities created by Government ministries, departments and agencies and excel in all the economic sectors. In the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind, we will do everything to include all youths in our programming,” he said.
Ms Chipo Amanda Mataka, a fabric waste manager, who won US$2 000 at the youth business pitch said she will be able to buy most of the heavy duty industrial machines needed.
“With the financial support from EmpowerBank youth empowerment programme my business will expand its production capacity and move from the current state where the business has been relying on 100 percent manual labour,” she said.
“I am grateful to EmpowerBank and its stakeholders for the support given to us as I am able to purchase most of the heavy duty machinery that will increase the number of rugs made per day.”
Ms Mataka is also trying to reduce the fabric waste as she makes her rugs from fabric waste.
“I had to take immediate action to sustainably get rid of fabric waste from tailors, otherwise the community will continue to suffer from effects of poor waste management,” she said.
“The Ministry said Kuwadzana drainage pipes are mainly blocked by sand or fabric waste, thus causing many diseases like cholera which is causing havoc in Harare today.”
Ms Mataka said the business seeks to reduce fabric waste in communities whilst promoting talented youth in her community in Kuwadzana through expressions on art on the rugs.
This combination of fabric waste management and creative industry would alleviate poverty in underserved and low income communities.
Online Reporter