Covid-19 relief fund for youths

AT least 217 youths from different parts of Manicaland have benefited from the first batch of the Covid-19 relief fund after receiving part of the $1,1 million that is meant for various business projects.

Youth representatives from all the seven districts in Manicaland, including those with disabilities, received amounts ranging from $3 000 to $5 000 to kick-start different business projects of their choice.

In an interview on the sidelines of the meeting to officially launch the disbursement of the relief funds in Manicaland on Wednesday, the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation

Deputy Minister Tinomuda Machakaire said Government has taken a non-partisan approach in disbursement of the Covid-19 relief fund.

The Deputy Minister said through the relief fund, youths will be able to venture into formal businesses that will sustain them.

He added that the programme is ongoing, with hundreds of youths from other provinces also benefiting.

“We have allocated over $1,1 million for Manicaland province. The money will be disbursed to about 217 youths who qualified on the first batch.

“While our vision is to support both those

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in informal and formal businesses, as the central authority we are encouraging them to move from informal businesses to formal initiatives. If you look at it closely, most youths are conducting informal businesses.

“It is also crucial to note that Government will take a non-partisan approach in its disbursement of the Covid-19 relief funds to youths conducting different businesses. People only need to go through the requisite accounting analysis and vetting processes to benefit,” said Deputy Minister Machakaire.

In a separate interview with The Manica Post, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial

Affairs and Devolution, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba applauded the initiative and urged youths to grasp the opportunity in order to better themselves.

“As Government, we are excited because we are walking the talk. Gone are the days of needless talk shows. We hope that the youths will seize the opportunity and improve their livelihoods.

“The all encompassing nature of the initiative is pleasing. Apart from catering for the physically challenged, this is a non-partisan project that is meant to improve the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans regardless of their political, religious or social background. We hope it will go a long way in improving their livelihoods,” said Dr Gwaradzimba.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Timothy Sithole of Mutare expressed his appreciation.

“We are thankful for the Government initiative as it comes at a time when our livelihoods have been greatly affected by the Covid19 national lockdown. We have outstanding payments and we are now hopeful that we will be able to cover that gap.

“This is what’s expected from a Government that cares about its citizens. We sincerely hope that this will also benefit many more youths across the country,” said Mr Sithole.

A $17 million relief fund to support youthled businesses and associations was recently set up by Government to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 on their operations.

To qualify for the grant, associations or enterprises owned by Zimbabwean youths must have been existing and operating for a period of at least six months to a year before the lockdown.