Zimbabwe Government equips young generation with entrepreneurial skills
By Novell Zwange – HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Hon. Saviour Kasukuwere said that the government through his ministry has set out to promote youth’s active participation in the country’s economic development.
Saviour Kasukuwere
Pronouncing his Ministry’s programme to equip and empower the young generation, Hon. Kasukuwere said the government is implementing a comprehensive programme for promoting and empowering the youth through availing loan capital to finance youth projects and accelerate youth-led employment creation enterprises.
He said that up to this date his ministry has financed 2873 youth projects to the tune of USD1 450 00, through the Youth Development Fund which provides funds to Zimbabwean youths to start or expand their businesses. This youth generation programme s aimed at yielding far reaching results.
Speaking on the occasion of a media cocktail on youth development issues organised by the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) here last Thursday, Hon. Kasukuwere informed journalists that almost 3000 youths are currently undergoing training for various enterprises at the Ministry’s Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).
“Presently, the Ministry is promoting the establishment of commercial production units and incubator facilities for select enterprises at VTCs,” he said. “The Ministry has also taken an initiative for youth living in the street. It has provided some of them with learning opportunities at Vocational Training Centres.”
Also speaking at the informal media hangout, Mr Itai Muguza said that the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment is working to fulfill its mission of achieving real empowerment for the Zimbabwean youths.
“One of the objectives of the Ministry is to promote entrepreneurship development in the country, hence it has adopted the Training For Enterprise (TFE) development as its key approach to the nurturing of entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Muguza.
A wide mix of journalists who attended the ZYC media cocktail applauded both the council and the Ministry for creating awareness among the media about youth developmental issues. They said this is a commendable step towards building dialogue with the youth ministry.
The Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC), is a quasi-government institution established by an act of parliament. Among its many other functions, it facilitates youth participation in key national issues and events. The council also acts as an interface between the Government, the youths and various other key important players.
