Bulawayo youths take Kasukuwere to task, demands immediate action

YOUNG people in Bulawayo yesterday held a heated meeting with Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and demanded immediate action to their challenges.

Hundreds of city youths attended the meeting, which was organised by the Zimbabwe Youth Council, Bulawayo Chapter.

The youths took turns to fire Minister Kasukuwere with questions bordering on their economic empowerment, job creation and participation in key decision making forums.

They city youths said the Government's youth fund has not been accessible to them since its launch two years ago.

They said unemployment levels were very high among the city youths.

"We are tired of being constantly promised funds, which we have no access to. Why is the unemployment rate in Bulawayo alarming? The closure of companies in the province has forced me to look for a job as a temporary teacher because my father lost his job and is sitting at home.

"Bulawayo companies have relocated to Harare and that has increased people's suffering," said Ms Lucy Mabikwa.

Another youth, who identified herself, as Rumbidzai, said physically challenged people were being left out and asked the Minister whether there were any plans to involve them in projects.

"We have been to different offices trying to be assisted to access funds, but the answers we get are discouraging. It seems we are not supposed to be part of the youth development fund," she said.

The youths challenged Minister Kasukuwere to ensure that the funds are availed to them.

It emerged that CABS Bank had not processed project proposals for the majority of youths with more than 7 000 having been rejected.

Youths suggested that there should be training workshops to capacitate them in project proposal writing.

In response, Minister Kasukuwere assured the youths that they would get funding as long as they forward their business proposals.

He said the youth development fund targeted three groups in the society that is the youths, women and the disadvantaged groups.

"President Mugabe has asked us to tell youths that the time has come to take control of our economy. There is a lot of despair in Bulawayo and we are here to see how we can move forward. The challenges should help us find solutions and move forward," he said.

Minister Kasukuwere lambasted banks for segregating Zimbabweans.

"The banks' negative attitudes have to be dealt with. They claim that they cannot fund youths for the empowerment drive yet they used to fund whites.

"This behaviour has to be dealt with immediately. We will ensure that the change will occur in the next few days and funds are availed to support the empowerment initiatives you have," Minister Kasukuwere said.

He also challenged tertiary institutions to work together and train youths on how best they can exploit the country's economic resources for their development.

"The School of Mines, School of Tourism and Hospitality and polytechnics have to join hands and train our young people to exploit resources.

"We want youths, who will walk in the step of a rich man, because gold is following them. Let us form clusters in engineering, mining and other sectors," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Kasukuwere said only $2,9 million has been disbursed to youths in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo by CABS out of the $10 million availed to the bank.

He said they would send a team to meet the banks and investigate why banks are reluctant to give youths funds.