Manicaland youths create 29k jobs: Zhuwao

10 Feb, 2017 - 00:02 0 Views
Manicaland youths create 29k jobs: Zhuwao Minister of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Cde Patrick Zhuwao (right) and House of Assembly for Mutare West constituency, Cde Chris Mushohwe (second from left) hand over four bags of pig concentrate to the Chairman of Mafurere piggery project Mr Forget Mutsago (second from right) and the Director of youth development officer Mr Alexis Mwakipesile after the official opening of the project in Marange last Thursday

The ManicaPost

Tendai Gukutikwa Business Correspondent
AT LEAST 29 817 jobs have been created by Manicaland’s 14 923 young entrepreneurs to date, the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment has said.

Minister Patrick Zhuwao said this at Marange Youth Can market linkage agri-business function which was held at Mafurere Piggery Project in Marange last Friday as he officiated the event.

It was held under the theme: “Youth and community action towards development through market linkages: Nurturing the champions and heroes of the economic empowerment revolution”.

The event was held to complement a collaboration with the Government and the International Institute for Development Facilitation (IIDF), that the International Rescue Committee (IRC) implemented, calling it the Youth and Community Action programme. This is a 24 month pilot project that commenced in June 2014 and ended in April 2016.

Minister Zhuwao said that the number of jobs created by the youthful entrepreneurs was way above the number that has been created by foreign investors in the country.

He said this was commendable as the youth are responsible for the revival of the country’s economy and are evidently working towards its revival without much need help.

“Youths who were supported under this programme were only given start up kits and engaged into poultry, layers production, piggery, horticulture, apiculture and broiler production. They made use of the few resources and start up kits they got and now they have created employment for other youths. That should not go unnoticed,” he said.

He went on to encourage other youths to come out and create employment for themselves by taking advantage of the income generating projects that had been offered to them by the IRC, IIDF and the Government.

“We are identifying champions and heroes of economic empowerment and I want to ensure that the youth enter and win the competition. It is all about you making an impact in your communities through enterprising,” he said.

Also in attendance was the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, who said every youth had a place in youth programming because they have the ability to feed, construct and shape Zimbabwe.

He urged the youths that have already ventured in business to improve on their business skills and management.

“As you have ventured into business today, I urge you to be intelligent in the way you deal with your businesses. Improve your business management and do not look down at your peers, those that you have created employment for.

“This is because a good leader works together with his employees and not drive them like slaves,” he concluded.

The IRC country director, Mr Paolo Cernuschi said of the 14 923 Mutare youthful entrepreneurs, his organisation had supported 2 500 with capacity building and implemented 65 different projects in the province aimed at economically empowering the youth.

“We are proud to say that we were successful in achieving the objectives that we set out in 2014,” he said.

The IRC which has been operational in Manicaland since 2008, embarked on an ambitious initiative in 2014 which according to Mr Cernuschi was meant to, “design a project that would bring the youth together, creating moments where youth could discuss issues affecting them and their communities. By so doing we also wanted to contribute to the economic development.”

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