Zimpapers Logo

Harare Bureau
YOUTHS have hailed President Mnangagwa as a listening leader after he urged them to actively participate in the economy.

Addressing members of the Zanu-PF youth league in Harare on Wednesday, President Mnangagwa challenged young people to venture into economic activities that help the country to attain Vision 2030.

In an interview yesterday, president of Zimbabwe Allied Youth in Mining, Mr Ephraim Fundukwa, said they had hit the ground running in line with the President’s call for youth participation in the country’s economic development.

“As young people in mining, we were really inspired by the President’s speech and we are motivated to work hard knowing that our work has recognition of the highest office,” said Mr Fundukwa.

“It shows that as a listening leader, President Mnangagwa has the concerns of young people at heart and we are going to work hard in support of his vision to transform our economy into an upper middle income by the year 2030. We are also happy that President Mnangagwa pledged his support for the setting up of a youth desk in every Government Ministry and it is pleasing that we already have that in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development where we are more interested in.”

Mr Fundukwa said they were already championing several projects in various provinces aimed at empowering young people in the mining sector.

He said attainment of Vision 2030 was a reality if they received the necessary support from the relevant authorities.

“We have already hit the ground running in terms of empowering young people in the mining sector,” he said.

“So far we have a project that we already have mining rights in Mazowe area and we have agreed as an association that we should have a youth mining project in every province,” said Mr Fundukwa.

In Mashonaland East we have managed to get a special block next to Acturus Mine and in Midlands we are in negotiations with the issuing committee for us to have another block in Shurugwi.

We have also applied for a tributary at Falcon Mine and we are also finalising the Environmental Management Agency certification for our Mazowe project. We already have an investor to partner us for the Mazowe project who is just finalising his paper work with the Zimbabwe Investment Authority.”

Addressing the youths in Harare on Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said: “While we have, as a party, declared that we prioritise economic programmes, it is disheartening, greatly disappointing and totally unacceptable that the youth league is invisible with regards to mobilising and organising its constituency for full participation in the economic affairs of the country as mandated by the party constitution.

“We must constantly hear you loudly. In addition, as Government we are moving with speed to implement devolution of Government power, thereby promoting development and growth for provincial economies.”