Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE continues to bust sanctions through deliberate economic empowerment projects that capacitate young people to realise their full potential through tapping into opportunities in mainstream economic sectors.
Recently, over 2 000 youths from across the country gathered at Dadaya Training Centre in Zvishavane, Midlands Province, to witness the launch of the National Youth Empowerment Starter Packs Programme.
Under this initiative, youths are provided with empowerment starter packs such as sewing machines, welding machines, farming equipment and building equipment.
This programme is a significant step towards empowering Zimbabwe’s youth, in line with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training’s vision for an empowered youth actively participating in national development by 2030.
In his address at the event on Friday, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Cde Tino Machakaire, said the future of this country lies in the youth.
“Government under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa is pledging to prioritise funding for you the youths so that you are found participating in the empowerment programmes that are aimed at assisting you realise your full potential for a brighter future of the country,” he said.
“We want you to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s vision 2030 of building an upper middle-income economy by year 2030, and to improve livelihoods. I urge all youth to responsibly seize the opportunities brought about by Government, to ensure their own economic empowerment and that the country realizes the economic dividend rooted in the youths.”
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, who also addressed the same gathering said youth empowerment remains a cornerstone of nation-building.
“By equipping our youth with skills, knowledge, and availing opportunities, not only are we preparing them for the future but positioning them to partaking vital roles as avid agents of innovation and development of communities of our motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
Minister Ncube applauded the Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda that recognises and entrenches values of unity, peace, resilience, loyalty, patriotism and hard honest work.
“I urge our youth to remain vigilant as the nation traverses a plethora of hybrid threats from our erstwhile colonizers. We hold the country in trust as it holds the destiny, hope and aspirations of future generations, which we should never compromise for personal gain,” he said.
He said the event comes at a time when Zimbabwe will be commemorating the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day on October 25th, a day he said is aims at pressing the West to lift its illegal sanctions imposed on the country.
“However, despite these illegal economic sanctions imposed on our motherland Zimbabwe by the USA and its Western allies, it is the steadfast determination of the Second Republic under the able and visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa to pursue and accomplish transformative, tangible, signature projects and programmes,” he said.
Minister Ncube said underpinned by the philosophy of ‘leaving no one and no place behind,’ saying devolution-funded projects have improved the livelihoods of communities through construction of schools, clinics, purchase of borehole drilling, refuse collection and road equipment.
He said the Midlands province, like the rest of the country’s provinces remains resolute and unwavering in supporting the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030 under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa.
Online Reporter