IN THE PRESS

WHATEVER was Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao thinking when he was defending the youths who are being accused of defaulting on the loans accessed through the Youth Development Fund?

“I don’t agree with the reports that the youths have abused the funds…There are Members of Parliament who have $3 million debts who now point fingers at youths who only have $2 000,” he told our sister paper, The Herald.

For the sake of the important portfolio that Minister Zhuwao holds, we really hope that he was misquoted on that one. We find it hard to believe that a whole Cabinet minister genuinely believes that “small funds” do not warrant the nation’s attention and should therefore be swept under the carpet.

This kind of thinking is dangerous, it is retrogressive to the nation’s objective of empowering its populace.

The Youth minister should never give the youths the impression that they are better off than the big guns that are holding on to the Government’s millions. The nation’s future leaders do not need such a skewed lesson.

If we do happen to have companies and Government officials who have misappropriated funds, that does not legalise the practice. An offense does not become right when it is committed at a smaller magnitude.

Whether we are talking about $3 million, $3 000 or $3, a culture of paying debts must always be cultivated.

Well managed development funds are supposed to revolve so that even future generations can benefit, it’s as simple as that.

We cannot go around patting the backs of a few cunning individuals who take the liberty to import ex-Japanese vehicles or purchase flashy clothes with funds that are meant for sustainable national development.