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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
Youths are central to economic development and should use their skills to turnaround the economy for the attainment of Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy, Zimbabwe Congress of Student Union (ZICOSU) president Mr Pijiwest Nhamburo has said.
He was speaking during an Affirmative Action Group (AAG) and ZICOSU interactive seminar at Chinhoyi University of Technology recently.
“Youths are the backbone of economic development. They constitute the required skills which are necessary to transform our economy,” he said.
“President Mnangagwa is on record saying empowerment should be given to youths.
“We have a lot of students with potential and the required engineering and other skills that we should recognise but, as youths we should rally behind President Mnangagwa’s call and work together.”
Mr Nhamburo called on university students to come up with innovative ideas that help turnaround the economy and engage the Government and pressure groups such as the AAG for support so that their ideas are turned into reality.
The symposium, which sought to explain the role of students in promoting economic development towards attainment of Vision 2030, saw the AAG leadership addressing the students.
Guest speaker and AAG vice president Prophet Passion Java, said the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa had availed a lot of opportunities to citizens, which needed harnessing.
“Rally behind NDS1 which the President has launched for our economic growth. For you to be prosperous, always respect your President and the ruling Government as inscribed in the Bible,” he said.
“As AAG, we are here to empower the youths and we want to find out from you the students your challenges and business ideas.
Youths should not demand money or employment but rather create opportunities that economically sustain them.”
Another AAG vice president, Mr Mabuto Moyo concurred, adding that education was not an impediment to financial independence and stability.
AAG communications and advocacy secretary, Mr Ari Goldstein, said they were engaging university students given that Vision 2030 primarily targets youths.
“Vision 2030 is targeting the youths, so the youths are an important part of this puzzle. They have to understand it and participate in this.
“Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube launched this and this is our gospel to the youth,” he said.
Four less privileged final year students were promised full scholarships by AAG president Mr Mike Chimombe.
Online Reporter