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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
YOUTH empowerment pressure group InothoKwabatsha/UpfumiKuvadiki says the new dispensation under President Mnangagwa has restored hope for youth involvement in the mainstream economy.

The association was established in 2012 with the objective of lobbying for youth participation in various sectors of the economy. Although membership rose to about 400 000 in the same year, the association has been dormant in recent years.

Matabeleland North chairperson, Mr Shylock Simukai, said they have started re-activating their structures as they have confidence in the new dispensation.

“The new dispensation has given us more interest to revive the trust. President Mnangagwa’s approach encourages business and puts us as InothoKwabatsha/UpfumiKuvadiki and youths in general in a very strategic position to complement national economic development,” said Mr Simukai.

He said youth participation in various sectors of the economy such as construction, equipment supply, mining, manufacturing, media and property was critical in transforming livelihoods. Mr Simukai said the new dispensation’s focus on the economy under the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra, reignites collective efforts unlike in the previous administration under former President Robert Mugabe where youths were only being used as proxies for political contestation.

“President Mnangagwa’s approach needs actors on the ground who can action things and as youths we want to be part of the implementation process.

“We are coming from a period where some politicians wanted to use us for their personal political agenda. Such abuse was a challenge for us and it pulled us down. We remain solely a business movement and our constitution is very clear on that,” said Mr Simukai.

InothoKwabatsha/UpfumiKuvadiki is a registered trust with Mr Alison Darikai from Harare being the founding national chairperson. It is also registered under the Zimbabwe Youth Council and has established structures in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, Midlands and Harare province. – @ncubeleon