President challenges youths to be involved in economic programmes

should walk the talk in defending party policies and Government programmes.

“While we have as a party, declared that we prioritise economic programmes, it is disheartening, greatly disappointing and totally unacceptable that the youth league is invisible with regards to mobilising and organising its constituency for full participation in the economic affairs of the country as mandated by the party constitution,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We must constantly hear you loudly. In addition, as Government we are moving with speed to implement devolution of Government power thereby promoting development and growth for provincial economies. What is your role when that power has been devolved to the provinces? It was our expectation that the youth league by now should have organised party youths from branch, district up to the provincial levels to identify economic prospects within their localities and initiate sustainable economic projects.

“It is unacceptable and a misnomer that the youth league is mute when it comes to economic development trajectory of our country. The future belongs to the young people yet you as the party youth leadership are lethargic in your approach. This must stop and stop forthwith. I want to you to become loud. We can have one or two provinces that are quiet, but not all provinces.”

On Vision 2030 and the role of the young people in promoting party policies and programmes, President Mnangagwa said: “As you are aware, my Government has embarked on a modernisation programme and industrialisation agenda in a bid to leap frog our country’s development towards the attainment of Vision 2030. It is our expectation as a party that you, the youth league, run with this vision. You must promote reforms, development and stability, which we seek to achieve.

“In recent past we have seen calculated plans by our detractors to destabilise and derail the progress the country has made to date. It is the youth league of the party, which must defend, articulate and advance the policies of the party that are intricately linked with those of the majority of our people. Defend the interests of the people wholeheartedly. As the youth league you should by now have clear programmes and strategies that outline how this will be achieved from a party youth perspective.”

President Mnangagwa said leaders should serve the people. “The phase we have entered as a party demands that you here as leaders of the youth league from various levels honestly and critically introspect and interrogate the degree to which you have worked towards the fulfilment of the aims and objectives of the youth league,” he said.

“This is a constitutional mandate that should never be taken lightly if we are to modernise and build an inter-generational party that transcends the present and last for posterity. In the Second Republic there is no room for leaders more so in the party who pay lip service to party and Government programmes. Leaders must walk the talk.”

President Mnangagwa also briefed the youths on his recent meeting with the business people, which saw prices of basic goods that were spiralling coming down.

He said the price hikes were fuelled by social media and urged Zanu-PF youths to be active on such platforms correcting the misinformation. PARLIAMENT is set to conduct its business in Bulawayo as from tomorrow until the 11th of November with the major highlight being the 2018 Annual Prebudget Seminar.

The pre-budget seminar brings together ministers, senior government officials and all members of the National Assembly and Senate to dialogue on national priorities that should be funded from the fiscus.

The annual event provides a platform for the Executive to solicit the input of lawmakers during the formulation of the National Budget.

Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday announced the August House’s itinerary that will see Parliament conducting a number of high level businesses in Bulawayo. “I have to inform the House that all members of the committee on Standing Rules and Orders, all chairpersons of committees, chairperson and Deputy chairperson of the Women’s Caucus, Chairperson of the parliamentary legal committee and deputy whips are invited to a workshop on the formulation of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Institutional Strategic Plan (2018-2023) from 2nd to 5th November, 2018 at Rainbow Hotel, Bulawayo,” Adv Mudenda told legislators.

He said an induction workshop for chairpersons which was previously postponed would be held at Holiday Inn from Tuesday to Wednesday next week.

Adv Mudenda also announced that the Annual Prebudget seminar would be held in Bulawayo.

“I further wish to inform the House that all members of Parliament are invited to the 2018 Annual Pre-Budget Seminar to be held from 7th to 11th November, 2018 at Holiday Inn, Bulawayo…This pre-budget Seminar is compulsory, you can only be absent with the leave of the Presiding Officers on very sound grounds,” he said.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary portfolio committee Budget, Finance and Economic Development, Cde Felix Mhona was not available to shed more light on the prebudget preparations. The discussion and resolutions of the seminar influence the content of the budget if they are taken on board.

The National budget is being crafted and should be presented to Parliament for debate and approval late November this month or early December. — @AuxiliaK