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Cde Wadyajena

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
An association of youth groups drawn from NGOs and the opposition MDC-T have voiced their support for Government’s indigenisation programme and called for greater involvement of young Zimbabweans in policy formulation.MDC-T and a significant chunk of non-governmental organisations have largely been vociferous in attacking empowerment initiatives.

But after a meeting last Tuesday with the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment chaired by Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Cde Justice Meya Wadyajena (Zanu-PF), the youth groups changed their tune.

Joint Youth Working Group (JYWG) national co-ordinator Mr Nqobile Moyo said they were in support of the empowerment programmes.

“We met the committee and we were discussing how we as youth can benefit from the empowerment programmes being implemented by Government and how as youth we can have our voices heard in the corridors of power,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the youth were wiser now and wanted to be involved in national programmes from policy formulation to implementation.
“We have become educated and we believe it’s time that we are involved so that our issues are also addressed from our own perspective,” he said.

Cde Wadyajena said the realisation that these were national and not partisan programmes was a key development for Zimbabwe.
“I am really  impressed  that  the youths despite their differences now appreciate  the  importance of  empowerment  because  it is for the  good  of us all.

“As a young Parliamentarian myself I will also take up the issues concerning youth empowerment so that they are addressed,” he said.
Abseleme Mandizvidza, the administrator of the National Youth Associations Organisations – which also met the Cde Wadyajena-led committee – said Government should provide resources to train youths in entrepreneurial skills.

“Government should set aside funds to develop entrepreneurial skills of youth to prevent abuse of funds like we saw in past initiatives.
“We also want improved access to funds for youths especially those in the rural areas so that they can also be able to engage in meaningful economic activities,” Mr Mandizvidza said.