Mugabe's nephew speaks on new government role

Newly appointed Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao says his vision is to strengthen the existing policy framework and ensure the youth are given platforms to articulate their views.

The youths, who constitute over half the country's population, must be heard and their concerns must be addressed through establishing and strengthen an institutional frameworks, says Zhuwao.

"The media has been awash with questions on the promised two million jobs and he will work towards ensuring that the youths are employed and actively participate in the mainstream media.

"We have to address the issue of employment; youths are the ones that are largely being affected and we need to take on board their concerns and address them," he said.

Zhuwao comes to the youth ministry at a time the youth feel financial institutions are not providing the much needed support. A few years ago, the government facilitated the setting up of the Youth Fund, a revolving facility that collapsed due to a high default rate in repayment.

Figures show that 92 percent of the youth did not pay back loans advanced to them.