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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
Members of Upfumi Kuvadiki, a pressure group for the economic empowerment of youths, have resolved their differences and vowed to forge a united front. The new group comprises 15 national executive members.

Addressing journalists in Harare this week, the group’s spokesperson who retained his position, Mr Alson Darikayi, said the members had set aside their differences.

The group had been rocked by leadership wrangles since 2012, with one group aligned to the then president Mr Pedzisayi Sakupwanya and the other led by Mr Darikayi.

“After years of sharp differences, members of Upfumi Kuvadiki have resolved to unite and form a grand coalition to push for the youth agenda in the country,” said Mr Darikayi.

“We seek to level the economic playing field and ensure the participation of young people in the economic mainstream. Upfumi Kuvadiki is apolitical. We are not an appendage of Zanu-PF.”

The group’s new president Mr Fungai Kangai said the organisation would lobby for the appointment of young people to boards of parastatals.

“Going forward, we will be assisting the Government, the private sector and civil society in delivering on the goals of Zim-Asset,” he said.

“Our belief is that young people are able to convert opportunities to wealth, but they find it hard to compete fairly against older generations and foreigners.

“We will be lobbying for corporate youth policies as a regulatory requirement across all sectors and in indigenisation transactions.

“We will also be lobbying for the appointment of young people to boards of parastatals.”

The organisation’s vice president Ms Tendai Wenyika said the pressure group would advocate Kurera-Ukondla Youth Fund to be reintroduced.

“Young people are in the majority, but are disempowered, and we cannot continue living like destitutes,” she said.

“We implore the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Cde Christopher Mushohwe to reintroduce the Ukondla Youth Fund, which was abolished by then Minister Cde Francis Nhema.

“The fund will resuscitate entrepreneurship programmes for the youths.”