Youths urged to be innovative
YOUNG people must be innovative and patriotic in their approach to economic empowerment and fighting poverty to achieve Vision 2030, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire said yesterday.
Speaking at the University of Zimbabwe Diamond Lecture, Minister Machakaire said youths should have a fundamental role in the development of the economy.
“I, therefore, exhort you to play the frontline role in defending the values of this country. You must be active players in the modernisation and industrialisation agenda being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa through research, innovation, and enterprise development enshrined in the new 5.0 education strategy,” he said.
“As youths, you have a fundamental role in the development course of our economy as we strive to make Vision 2030 a reality.
“Try and grasp from the lecturers the things you are taught and put them into action. Never think that if I have graduated, I’m going to get a job, but you should first come up with an innovative plan so that you can get yourself equipped.
“Our youths must embrace opportunities and not cry foul, and they must understand that they play a central role in the development of the state’s economy since they are a critical demographic.”
To achieve all this, Minister Machakaire explored the essentiality of five working principles: respect, love, time, accountability, and giving hope to all young people.
“You should always love our country, as his Excellency Emerson Mnangagwa said: Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” he said. “Do not think that if I am done with my studies I will go and find green pastures abroad, but rather youths should come up with innovative ways to develop our country so that we will not see anyone going abroad.”
Minister Machakaire promised to support 20 unprivileged children to pursue their studies.
“I decided to support these children financially because youth are the future leaders of tomorrow; they must be supported so that their minds will not be kept idle,” he said.
“It would be an ongoing programme to help unprivileged students pursue their studies. We hope that these initiatives are going to be taken to help students from their various schools, not only the UZ students but also other schools if they invite us to help unprivileged students.
“We have agreed with the University of Zimbabwe to come up with a road map and solution to create programmes of employment so that they don’t get idle after their studies.”
Minister Machakaire urged students to acquire life skills training at vocational training centres in the country during their spare time.
“I urge you to obtain skills from the vocational centres in your spare time so that your skills can be improved, and this can also help you in your lifetime,” he said.
Tendai Mushayi, a student, applauded Minister Machakaire for the lecture.
“I would like to thank the Minister for giving us brilliant ideas and also helping the students pursue their studies,” he said.
“We lacked direction as we thought that after graduation we should get employed, but the minister taught that there is no better way to be well-financed in the country than to start thinking of innovative ways to equip ourselves.”