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Leonard Ncube , Victoria Falls Reporter
THE youth should play a part in the country’s development by positioning themselves to contribute more to mainstream economic transformation.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo, said this in Lupane on Saturday while addressing Affirmative Action Group (AAG) Matabeleland North chapter executive members at an inception meeting.

The Government will always support the socio-economic empowerment of young people, he said, adding that the youth must rally behind President Mnangagwa’s progressive vision.

“There are a lot of benefits for young people especially on the land and other empowerment programmes. The President has laid the ground and it is up to us to follow up on this development,” said Minister Moyo.

“As AAG, you have a big role to play in pushing a development agenda and let’s mobilise youths as they are critical in this, as well as towards the grand drive for 5 million votes for President Mnangagwa in 2023.”

He challenged the AAG to be an empowerment vehicle for the country and lobby financial institutions to finance youth projects.

AAG Matabeleland North draws membership from all the seven districts: Nkayi, Lupane, Binga, Tsholotsho, Umguza, Bubi and Hwange. Its provincial chairperson, Ms Elizabeth Masuku, said AAG was a proponent for indigenisation and empowerment through inclusivity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

She said the organisation was there to assist indigenous businesses to get priority and business minded citizens especially youths and women to further their business initiatives to uplift livelihoods and the economy in line with the National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) and 2030 agenda.

“As AAG association, we are fully behind President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership towards 2030 middle-income economy,” she said.

“We appreciate developmental projects happening in our province through devolution and National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) and we are ready to claim a share of business opportunities in support of the youth, women and other marginalised communities.

“It is our vision and mandate obligation to make sure indigenous companies are given priority using the comparative advantage of our province.”

Matabeleland North is endowed with vast natural resources ranging from mineral resources, timber logging, land and agriculture, wildlife and tourism, fishing, to culture and others, which all present opportunities for investment.

The meeting was attended by AAG national vice president Mr Mabutho Moyo, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South chapters led by their chairpersons Mr Bukhosi Ncube and Mr Bheki Moyo respectively. — @ncubeleon