Youths need strategic planning

Innocent Katsande
The measure of potential to succeed in a particular group does not rest in their ability to make noise or in how close they are to people of influence but in the substance of the work they do.
The introduction of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme through the Kurera/Ukondla Youth Fund, the Wealth Creation Fund, the CBZ Youth Fund, the IDBZ Youth Fund and various other opportunities that became available to young people, did not call for youth without sound strategic plans and sustainable ideas.

The policy was a legitimate opportunity for young people in this country to be creative, put together great ideas and meaningfully participate in the economy.

After launching the various Youth Funds with different financial institutions the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Zimbabwe Youth Council and stakeholders were under pressure to deliver.

Unfortunately, most young people did not have a clear understanding of what they wanted and how they were going to create growth, become profitable and contribute to national development.

Government is mandated to empower youths by the African Youth Charter and the National Youth Policy.
Years down the line, what have youths managed to produce to contribute to the economy after Government invested millions of dollars in their projects?

In the true spirit of development, young people need to first to admit the mistakes they have made, reflect and learn to become more objective in their pursuit of empowerment.

If youths are going to take over the economy as captains of industry and the leaders of tomorrow, they need to start exercising wisdom and becoming responsible now.

Youths need to be accountable to Government in taking advantage of policies designed for job creation and the development of our economy.
Now is the time to change the way youths do business and become more futuristic in approach to the development Zimbabwe.

Economists agree that young people plus descent jobs equals growth.
One cannot fault this reasoning.

It is time for young people to be the ones creating the jobs.
It’s happening in India and other parts of the African continent where young people are becoming creative and innovative.

Through technology, youths are creating jobs and contributing to the growth of the GDP of their nations. Zimbabwean youths have the same capacity.

The platform has been laid by Government for young people to be productive.
Funding may be limited, yes, but it is currently a global challenge and not only in our local economic environment.

In spite of the limitations and the challenges that surround us, there is one thing that is certain: no unique invention that benefits the people goes unsupported.

There is scant reason for Zimbabwean youths to shy away from the marketplace and becoming profitable. Market growth trends are on Africa’s side and economies are growing largely because of the active and skilled young population.

To fully take advantage of the current momentum of growth on the continent Government will need to follow up on the implementation of Zim-Asset and the indigenisation policy to ensure that the intended beneficiaries benefit and the economic objectives are achieved.

These are some of the sentiments shared by President Mugabe during his 90th birthday interview on ZBC.
In partnership with Government, the private sector must play a huge role in putting into practice the framework for empowerment that Government has outlined.

It will take a more co-ordinated approach between Government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations for the country to attain a state of “young people plus descent jobs equals exponential growth”.

There is need to cultivate the current wild bush of potential into a Garden of Eden of results.
This potential energy, life within our youthful society is indisputably the future of our economy and country.

At some point today’s captains of industry, economists, bankers, educators, politicians and financial technocrats will have to hand over the baton to the youths.

Youth development is everyone’s responsibility and all players in our socio-economic environment are liable to contribute.
In Government structures the responsibility to develop youths cannot be left to the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment and the Zimbabwe Youth Council alone.
All Government ministries and stakeholders are partners in this endeavour to develop.

Innocent Katsande is the Communications and Advocacy Officer for Zimbabwe Youth Council.