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Young people have welcomed the proposed launch of the Presidential Youth Fund by His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa following the successful implementation of the Presidential War Veterans Fund, which has already made a significant impact on the lives of the country’s liberation heroes.
The Presidential Youth Fund will be launched through Dr. Paul Tungwarara, a special advisor to the President. Dr. Tungwarara has been instrumental in driving various empowerment schemes, including the War Veterans Rural Housing Scheme, which aims to provide housing for Zimbabwe’s heroes, and the Presidential Borehole Scheme.
The Presidential Youth Fund is expected to provide financial support to young people across the country, enabling them to start businesses, pursue education and skills development, and contribute meaningfully to the economy. The fund will be distributed to provinces, ensuring that young people from all regions of Zimbabwe have access to this opportunity.
“The President has the youth at heart. The Presidential Youth Fund will go a long way in empowering young people, the majority of whom struggle to raise capital to start businesses. Due to the high rate of unemployment, entrepreneurship is the way to go and the fund will be pivotal in empowering youth to run their own businesses,” said Tafara Munonde, a youth who runs a welding enterprise in Highfield, Harare.
This initiative is part of President ED Mnangagwa’s vision to empower young people and promote economic development in Zimbabwe. The President has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the country’s youth, and this fund is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
As Zimbabwe just celebrated Youth Day, the launch of the Presidential Youth Fund is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in the country’s young people. With this initiative, President ED Mnangagwa is sending a clear message that the youth are a priority and that his administration is committed to creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Agnes Muzondo (27), who runs a dress-making shop at Nyika Growth Point in Bikita said she hopes to apply for funding from the Presidential Youth Fund so that she will be able to purchase more sewing machines.
“We are making work suits and corporate wear for various companies here at Nyika Growth Point. I hope to employ other youth. I would like to use the Presidential Youth Fund to buy industrial sewing machines to expand my business,” Muzondo told Spiked Online Media.
Comfort Ndawana (33), who hails from Mubaira in Mhondoro, in welcoming the Presidential Youth Fund, alluded to the CABS Youth Fund which he said has had a significant impact on youth empowerment and employment.
“What came to my mind when I heard about the Presidential Youth Fund is the Kurera/Ukondla Youth Fund, a public-private partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and some Zimbabwean financial institutions, including CABS. This fund has created over 8,600 jobs across the country, with a total value of US$10.5 million.
“The CABS Youth Fund provided opportunities for young people to access finance and start their own businesses. However, there were challenges faced by youth in accessing these funds. We hope the Presidential Youth Fund will complement initiatives to promote youth empowerment and employment in Zimbabwe,” Muzondo said.
