Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
Zanu-PF has intensified its grassroots mobilisation efforts in Bulawayo, specifically targeting young people, in a clear bid to consolidate its support ahead of future elections.
The party asserts these initiatives are designed to benefit the youth through various development programmes.
Addressing Zanu-PF members from the City Centre district in Bulawayo, District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) Political Commissar for Area One, Cde Misheck Gumbo, urged young people to join the party and register within its structures, describing them as the heartbeat of the nation.
“As the ruling party, Zanu-PF has many projects for young people, and joining the party gives them access to these opportunities. Many youths mistakenly believe that these opportunities are only for older people, but a lot of them are specifically designed for the youth.
“For example, through the Presidential Youth Empowerment initiative, tipper trucks were provided, and the jobs created from this project are intended for young people,” said Cde Gumbo.
He noted that in Bulawayo, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, recently funded various youth projects.
“He provided brick moulding and chip fryer machines. These initiatives are all aimed at benefitting young people. I urge and encourage the youth to come and join the party. No other party has projects for young people like Zanu-PF does.
“While other groups, such as the Women’s League, also benefit, our main focus is on the youth, as they are the leaders of tomorrow. These projects will also keep them occupied, helping them to avoid drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Zanu-PF City Centre District Chairman, Cde Nicholas Bokosha, expressed satisfaction with the “Fishers of Men” mobilisation programme, which saw a large number of supporters and new members — particularly youth — registering.
He said the programme has been highly successful, with an excellent turnout driven by the party’s visible development projects.
“The new members are encouraged by the party’s visible projects, which reflect President Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’. The party is initiating various programmes to benefit different groups.
“For women, these include poultry rearing, sewing, and peanut butter production. The youth are also benefitting from a wide range of visible projects. So, we are encouraging the youth to come out in numbers to join and be registered within the party’s structures so they can enjoy these opportunities.
“Recently, the district held a drug and substance abuse awareness campaign, encouraging young people to quit these habits and take part in the party’s various programmes,” said Cde Bokosha.
Cde Bokosha emphasised that Zanu-PF is not waiting for the 2028 elections, but is actively mobilising daily to ensure its cells, branches, and districts are fully constituted.
Zanu-PF City Centre District Youth Chairman, Cde Joseph Majoni, expressed satisfaction with the number of young people joining the party.
He encouraged more youths to get involved, highlighting ongoing programmes designed to benefit them.
“There are many successful projects being rolled out by the party, and most of them are meant to benefit the youth, so they must come and join the party. One of these is the Youth Empowerment Fund, for which President Mnangagwa allocated US$200 000.
“As a province, we have used the funds to purchase three tipper trucks for the youth, and we, as young people, are the ones who will benefit from them. This will also help discourage drug and substance abuse, which negatively affects mental health,” said Cde Majoni.
In March this year, President Mnangagwa launched the Youth Empowerment Scheme, which provides Zimbabwean youths with access to funding, including mining and farming equipment.
The initiative aims to support young entrepreneurs and farmers, helping them to drive economic growth and development.
