ACKNOWLEDGE MAWERE
Harare-The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to a practical, structured and results-driven youth empowerment model, dismissing uncoordinated youth groupings and short-term donations in favour of sustainable, long-term programmes.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) Strategic Planning Workshop held in Harare on Thursday last week, Machakaire said his ministry is rolling out a new empowerment framework focused on measurable impact, inclusivity and grassroots participation.
He said the model will be implemented through the ministry’s departments and key parastatals, including the Zimbabwe Youth Council and EmpowerBank, to deliver life-changing programmes aligned with the real challenges facing young people today.
“ZYC will be responsible for coordinating all youth structures and driving mobilisation, while EmpowerBank will provide financial and enterprise support,” Machakaire said.
The minister urged ZYC to fully execute its statutory mandate as outlined in the ZYC Act, stressing that the council is not a voluntary or informal entity.
“ZYC is not an optional organisation or a casual initiative. It is a body established by Parliament to coordinate, register and represent youth associations across Zimbabwe. That is its core responsibility,” he said.
Turning to the broader concept of empowerment, Machakaire warned against reducing youth empowerment to a slogan, saying it must be anchored in a structured national programme guided by the National Youth Empowerment Strategy.
“For this strategy to be meaningful, it must move from policy documents to active participation on the ground,” he said.
Machakaire emphasised that government support will be channelled only through youth associations registered and coordinated by ZYC, in order to ensure accountability and reach legitimate beneficiaries. He tasked the council with bridging the gap between government policy and young people at community level.
Under his leadership, Machakaire said, youth empowerment will shift from paperwork to practical implementation, with benefits reaching coordinated youth structures at grassroots level.
“There will be no dishing out of free money. Instead, empowerment will come through formal, sustainable youth loans designed to support viable projects,” he said.
Looking ahead to the implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) next year, Machakaire said EmpowerBank is ready to provide tailored financial services, including loans, to young people.
“The government is committed to ensuring that youths are sustainably empowered, not dependent on hand-outs,” he said.
In support of the Minister’s vision, ZYC Chairperson, Rutendo Mugwagwa, highlighted the council’s commitment to achieving youth empowerment. “As the new board, we will ensure a prosperous and empowered youth sector by 2030, with practical, long-term impact,” she remarked.
Mugwagwa called on youths to form or join existing ZYC associations to benefit from government initiatives. “It’s time for non-members to join and registered associations to comply with ZYC regulations,” she urged. “Uncoordinated youths or parallel structures will not be tolerated.”
She emphasized, “ZYC is ready, and the youth must be ready for real empowerment starting next year.”
