First Lady launches empowerment scheme for war vets, youths
. . . 1 000 complete agric training in Hurungwe
NEARLY 1 000 liberation war fighters and youths from Hurungwe district in Mashonaland West Province, completed a first-of-its-kind capacity building programme in agriculture and environmental management courtesy of Environment Patron, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, as she leaves no sector behind in her empowerment initiatives.
In her speech, the First Lady acknowledged that the training would help bridge the gap between other members of society and war veterans who were lagging behind in terms of her empowerment projects.
The capacity building programme which was launched in Mashonaland West, will cascade to all the country’s provinces.
It will promote value chain opportunities in sectors such as processing, value addition and marketing.
Amai Mnangagwa said the inclusion of veterans of the liberation struggle was crucial in ensuring sustainable agriculture and natural resources management.
By involving youth, it would ensure that they stayed away from drugs and alcohol abuse.
Also it is key in affording the youth a platform to learn the country’s history from the veterans of the liberation struggle.
Song, dance, ululation and whistling characterised the day as beneficiaries toasted to a new lease of life and appeared geared to face the future with a new gaze.
The mother of the nation also tackled thorny issues like child marriages, courtship, drug abuse, deportment and domestic violence during a colourful interactive session with members of the community.
Beneficiaries were drawn from four constituencies in Hurungwe district, while the remaining six constituencies will follow suit soon.
The First Lady, who is the Agric4She patron and also the Zanu PF national secretary for Environment, partnered the ruling party’s Department of Lands and Agriculture in providing the training and the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, as well as the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
The training covered many areas including sustainable agriculture, environmental and natural resources management focusing on veld fire management, conflict resolution in communities, human-wildlife conflict, climate change as well as disaster management.
Agrarian history of Zimbabwe and national orientation and unpacking the First Lady’s empowerment initiatives for the girl child and communities, were also among areas covered.
War veterans who were the best farmers last season in wheat, tobacco, maize, soya bean, horticulture production, cattle rearing, environment conservation and value addition, received gold medals.
Youths who came out tops in the same fields received silver medals.
In her remarks, the First Lady implored beneficiaries of the training to put to good use, all the concepts they had learnt.
“Today we have come to Mashonaland West Province, Hurungwe District, to assess the skills and work we can do around farming and protecting resources around us with focus on liberation war fighters and youths.
“I implore our youths to pay attention when they work with former liberation war fighters who will be teaching them the ways of our nation, nhoroondo yenyika yedu since they are the future of the nation. It is critical to appreciate the history of where we came from. These works are being led by the war veterans with the backing of the youths. We are launching this programme with a view to extending knowledge to youths and war veterans.
This programme will be replicated in all provinces countrywide.
“I am glad that we have entered into this programme together since I am a mother who barely sits down. Liberation war fighters were lagging behind in terms of projects therefore, I am joyful to get into the field with them. This event comes at a time when we are preparing for our Independence Day celebrations which are slated for Manicaland Province. I am happy that more than 900 were trained, but I say the teachings must proceed so that more are trained. As women we are thankful that our Government recognizes us as women where we are given our rightful positions as mothers. We were given Agric4she where we are doing wonders as women,” she said.
Such trainings, the First Lady noted, have the effect of ensuring that children stay away from drugs and alcohol abuse.
“Even vanasikana vakuita zvekudhakwa kwakanyanya. The way they dress also is not pleasing and stubbornness at home irks us as parents. As Agric4she patron, I encourage all youths to be involved in farming and other areas requiring the use of one’s hands. I exhort all women to venture into Agric4she so that we grow crops to end hunger.
“I want to congratulate you Mashonaland West for producing various crops that were sent to the Grain Marketing Board. As a province, you contributed to the grain of the nation. As you youngsters work with elders, do not just copy skills, but also learn good manners so that you grow up well-rounded with respect,” she said.
The mother of the nation also touched on social issues.