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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
YOUTHS must be empowered through sustainable income-generating projects that will enable them to fund Zanu-PF programmes, a party official has proposed.

Zanu-PF Youth League national secretary for finance Cde Getrude Mutandi said youths should be empowered for them to generate funds and finance some of the ruling party’s activities. Cde Mutandi said this early this week during a provincial coordinating committee (PCC) meeting held in Mutare.

She made the suggestion when Zanu-PF members were making pledges towards the construction of the party’s provincial offices in Manicaland. Zanu-PF has acquired a piece of land from Mutare City Council to build its offices.

“I think it will be prudent that the party empowers youths with income-generating projects to enable them to fund some of the party’s activities and its initiatives,” said Cde Mutandi. “Most of the youths cannot afford to participate when issues of finances are raised because they do not have the money.”

Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Mike Madiro told party members during the PCC meeting that the party should not depend on begging for funds from well-wishers, but also find alternative ways of financing its activities.

Cde Madiro said he realised that the party was straining its “religious donors” by continuously approaching them begging for funds when programmes arose. He said the party should refrain from depending on donations.

“We have to raise our own funds,” he said. “We have been for too long relying on donors and it seems we are straining them too much. We have to be self-reliant.”

Zanu-PF national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri said Manicaland should take a leaf from other provinces that had income-generating projects. She pledged to pay $1 000 every month towards the party’s coffers.

“I have heard Cde Madiro talking about raising funds,” she said. “Let us strive to set aside some money to sponsor our activities. Let us have some activities to raise the funds.

“I do not want a scenario where I would come to you and say you have this much, therefore, give us this much for the party. I know some of you have some business interests, which you possibly have attained because of Zanu-PF’s policies.”