Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
BEFORE Independence, a majority of blacks, especially youths, were subjected to menial domestic jobs in the kitchen and herding cattle in white-owned farms.
But as Zimbabwe celebrates its 42nd Independence Day today there is excitement among citizens that the Independence did not only usher in political liberation but also brought economic and social emancipation for the majority blacks.
Government came up with programmes aimed at empowering youths who are now actively involved in politics and the economy of the country.
Government has made great strides in delivering its promises to empower youths with thousands having benefited from various programmes.
Many are now successful farmers after benefiting from the land reform that the Government embarked on in 2000 while some own large herd of cattle and others are company owners and directors.
Government is still spearheading youth empowerment programmes across the economy. In education there is the Presidential Scholarship where underprivileged deserving youths from all the country’s provinces are given scholarships to study abroad.
Recently President Mnangagwa allocated 698 heifers to youths across all provinces under the Presidential Heifer Pass-on Scheme, with 500 youths going to be recruited annually to learn agriculture skills.
The Youth Empower Bank and Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank were also set up after Independence to empower youth and women, regardless of political affiliation, with loans and business start-ups.
Cde Elizabeth Masuku, a youth who is Matabeleland North proportional representation legislator said Government should be applauded for prioritising youths.
“Before Independence black youths were subjected to being herd boys for white settler farmers in farms. Government has empowered us youths by allocating a herd of cattle so that we have a start in life.
We have the Youth Empower Bank that was established to capacitate youths with loans to start projects and businesses where it is now easy for a young person to write project proposal and approach the bank for loans,” said Cde Masuku, who is also Zanu-PF National Youth League Secretary for Transport and Welfare, and Affirmative Action Group chair for Matabeleland North.
She said the Second Republic has prioritised youths with a significant number of them now ministers in the New Dispensation.
“We want to applaud our Government especially the Second Republic for giving youths a chance in the economic and political sphere.
We thank President Mnangagwa for prioritising youths. Because of Independence, we have ministers who are youth and we are proud to be included in politics and economy of the nation.
“It is up to youths to embrace Government programmes and choose where they can fit according to their skills and proximity. Today the President is handing over fishing rigs in Binga and youths will also benefit,” she said.
Another youth Cde Sithandazile Moyo of Tsholotsho and is former Zanu-PF Youth League acting chair for Matabeleland North said youth livelihoods have improved as a result of programmes initiated by Government in independent Zimbabwe.
“From what we have learnt life was not easy as a youth before Independence but now we can access loans and benefit other programmes.
These are the fruits of Independence which we are enjoying and we thank our forefathers and all those that fought in the liberation struggle, living and departed,” she said.
Mr Daniel Sithole, who is director of Green Shango Environment Trust, an organisation championing environmental issues in Matabeleland North said because of Independence, it is now possible for youths to start their own businesses.
He said youths are vulnerable but have been empowered through various programmes across the economic sphere.
“The Zimbabwean Independence gave birth to a new epoch for young people and opened new opportunities which were not there during the colonial period.
There are vocational skills training programmes to complement formal education and this has seen many youths taking charge of their lives.
“However, there is still room for more opportunities and we pray that our able Government continues to support youths despite the challenges brought about by the illegal sanctions imposed on our sovereign country.
I encourage other young people to adopt the “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi” mantra because it is only us who can make Zimbabwe great,” said Mr Sithole.
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