Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF has commended Manicaland youths for their discipline and mobilisation efforts during the ongoing Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 campaign, while rolling out strict financial and regulatory controls for businesses established under the Youth Empowerment Fund.
ZANU PF national deputy secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde John Paradza, said the province’s youths were central to the success of the public consultations and firmly behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda.
He said the mobilisation drive channelled towards Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 was seamless, with youths across the province rallying behind the legislative process.
“The youths acknowledge the work that the President has done since assuming office in 2017. This resulted in Resolution Number 1, which we supported. When you have such a competent President, nothing should stop him from seeing his Vision 2030 through. Our youths in Manicaland support CAB3, the President, together with all his outlined programmes. President Mnangagwa should remain in office until 2030 to allow continuity and the completion of tangible development. As the Youth League, we stand by President Mnangagwa and Vision 2030. We want the President to remain in office up to 2030 and beyond,” said Cde Paradza.
Turning to empowerment, Cde Paradza said the Youth Empowerment Fund has seen all the 10 provincial youth leagues register companies.
“We came here to teach them how to run the businesses. We also gave them a circular from the national office on how the companies would be managed across the 10 provinces,” he said, stressing that although the fund originated from the President, all enterprises must comply with national laws.
“Even though the fund was from the President, when running the companies, they should be compliant with the laws of the land. We taught them about compliance, that they should follow all the laws, regulations and policies. Where there is need for clearance or route authority, their companies must comply,” he said.
Manicaland Youth League has invested in buses, and Cde Paradza emphasised financial accountability, insisting that provinces are required to submit monthly financial reports to the national office, including bank statements, while any use of funds must receive prior approval from the national secretary for finance, Cde Garikai Zonde.
The Sunday meeting drew 400 youths, led by Manicaland provincial youth league chairperson, Cde Stanley Sakupwanya and his deputy, Cde Wilson Nyamande.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, and provincial women’s league chairlady, Cde Dorothy Mabika also attended.
Cde Mabika urged the youth league to remain united, and work as a team.
“Youths should not allow to be used and divided by individuals with vested interests. They should uphold the party ideology, and remain resolute in working for the party. Youths are the last line of defence, the vanguard of the party. It doesn’t matter how difficult things are, they should remain loyal and ideologically correct, and not allow the enemy to blow holes among them as a youth league,” she said, adding that the women’s league is fully cognisant of CAB 3, and fully behind it.
“We are optimistic that CAB 3 is a done deal. We are fully behind it. We are optimistic that this will be irreversible because it is good for and the best foot forward for our nation. We expect our legislators from Manicaland to defend the people’s view and make sure this Bill sails through Parliament and the Senate. They should just finish off what we started together as Manicaland.
We do not envisage any deviation from what the people have said during the Parliamentary public consultations. What has been agreed on earth, let no man put asunder,” said Cde Mabika.
Cde Sakupwanya cited the Presidential Livestock Pass-on Scheme, residential stands in Chipinge, Munhumutapa Empowerment Programme, a mechanisation drive that delivered nine tractors, land reform that saw 500 hectares allocated at ARDA Transau in 2022, and village youth empowerment through the Mega Market project as some of the empowerment programmes that have benefitted the youths.
He added that the youth league received US$200 000 from President Mnangagwa, and invested it in acquisition of two buses now operating on the Mutare-Harare route under the Manica Go banner.
He said youths across the province are fully behind CAB3, noting that inter-district meetings produced “CAB 3 sharp shooters” to mobilise support.
“We have seen immense progress under President Mnangagwa. Be rest assured, youths in Manicaland are solidly behind CAB 3, which is anchored on tangible development, and our expectation is that our legislators in Parliament will finish the business and approve the Bill,” he said.
Cde Nyamande said the empowerment drive could not have come at a better time, while throwing full weight behind CAB 3.
“The launch of the Youth Empowerment Fund is a watershed moment for us in Manicaland, and indeed for young people across the country. It has come at a time when our youths are hungry for opportunities, skills and platforms to participate meaningfully in the economy. This is not just about buses or companies on paper – but dignity, productivity and shaping our own future under the Second Republic. We commend the President for entrusting the youth league with this responsibility, and we are determined to run these enterprises transparently, profitably and in full compliance with the laws of Zimbabwe. Equally, we are unwavering in our support for Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3. The Bill speaks to continuity, stability and the protection of the gains we have made since 2017. Vision 2030 is not a slogan to us, but a lived commitment. Our legislators must therefore honour the voice of the people and ensure CAB 3 sails through Parliament without compromise,” said Cde Nyamande.
