President Robert Mugabe has been challenged to put in place clear youth empowerment measures if the country is to thrive economically.
Speaking at the million-man march gathering, Zanu-PF deputy youth secretary,Kudzai Chipanga, challenged President Mugabe to include young people in key decision making positions so that they contribute to the revival of the country’s sinking economy.
He said it is important for government to allow youths to chair some Parastatals so that they have an input on what needs to be addressed especially on matters to do with the economy.
“We are appealing to you as the head of state to consider the youths in key economic decision making positions.
“We want to be on the board that makes decision pertaining to our country so that we get to air our grievances. We know what other youths want so it becomes easier to have someone who represent them on such platforms.” Chipanga said.
He also took time to urge government to fund young people’s projects saying that they are a forgotten lot.
“We have different projects we want to implement, but the biggest obstacle is funding.
As unemployment levels continue skyrocketing youths have resorted to desperate measures for survival
“We do not get enough money to undertake our projects. As the youths, we urge government to introduce a Youth Input Credit Scheme, which will allow us to get farming inputs on credit,” he said.
The youthful leader said government should allocate land to the youths for housing purposes citing that multitudes of youths are not home owners.
He said by the time the country goes for elections in 2018, every young person should be a house owner.
Chipanga also told the president that youths deserve to be given mining claims arguing that this is a way of empowering youths as they have a major role to play in nation building.
In response, President Mugabe said government was working on addressing the grievances raised.
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“We have heard your concerns, be rest assured that we will address them accordingly.
We want everyone to own a piece of land as it is a God given resource. That is the reason why we went to war, to fight for our land, so we are working on it,” said Mugabe.
The president urged youths do desist from violence saying they should remain united as they form the core of the future of the party.
“We want to urge all youths to desist from violence and stop talking about factionalism. We are a united people, we do not want elements of disunity that cause confusion. Let us have a purpose, a purpose to build the country.” added Mugabe.
Thousands of People from all walks of life converged at the Robert Mugabe Square in Harare on Wednesday for the One Million Man March in solidarity with President Mugabe’s leadership.
