Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MANICALAND has made a significant stride in youth empowerment after purchasing two brand-new 65-seater buses under the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme.
The buses are expected to generate income which will be channelled towards supporting grassroots youth projects.
ZANU PF Manicaland Youth League chairperson, Cde Stanley Sakupwanya confirmed the development in on Wednesday.
Cde Sakupwanya said the buses were acquired using part of the US$200 000 allocated to Manicaland under the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, launched by President Mnangagwa earlier this year.
The scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship and income-generating projects among young people, aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
Rather than distributing the funds directly to individuals or projects, Manicaland opted to invest in the buses, which will be used to generate income.
“Just last week, we successfully paid for the two brand-new buses. We are now awaiting their delivery. The President will commission the buses once they are in our possession,” said Cde Sakupwanya.
He stressed that the leadership has taken a firm stance to prioritise the needs of ordinary youths over their own.
Once commissioned, the buses will be managed to ensure sustainability and inclusivity, targeting youths who have struggled to access funding for small projects.
The initiatives will include poultry, horticulture, manufacturing, and other entrepreneurial ventures that contribute to Vision 2030’s goal of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.
Regarding the selection criteria for beneficiaries, Cde Sakupwanya explained that the programme prioritises youths at the grassroots level with viable project ideas.
“We will prioritise small projects that align with Vision 2030 and have the potential to make a positive impact in our communities,” he said.
Although the formal application process has yet to be announced, he assured youths will benefit and urged patience while the logistical groundwork is finalised.
Cde Sakupwanya said the buses’ availability and commissioning are eagerly awaited, marking the commencement of operations and revenue generation.
He praised the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme as a testament to President Mnangagwa’s commitment to empowering young people and tackling unemployment.
“Our President is a listening leader who genuinely cares for us. His mantra, of leaving no one and no place behind resonates deeply. This initiative transcends mere bus purchases – it is about forging a future anchored in economic empowerment and national development for our youth,” he said.
Cde Sakupwanya revealed that district youth chairpersons across Manicaland have provided valuable insights into the challenges and aspirations of young people, highlighting the pressing need for employment opportunities and access to funding.
“The President’s Vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy, is more than just rhetoric. Through initiatives like this empowerment scheme, as well as previous projects such as poultry and heifer programmes, Government has demonstrated its resolve to transform young lives,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the scheme, once fully implemented, will bolster youth-led entrepreneurship, reduce dependency, and combat poverty across the province.
The Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme is a key component of the Government’s broader strategy to ensure inclusive development and economic participation of Zimbabwe’s youth under the Second Republic.
