Mnangagwa delivers last batch of vehicles for youths

Emmerson Mnangagwa has completed the distribution of equipment under the US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme Revolving Fund, with young people from four provinces receiving trucks and other machinery aimed at supporting income-generating projects.

The final batch of vehicles was handed over at State House on Friday, with Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya representing the president.

Rushwaya said the programme reflected Mnangagwa's commitment to youth empowerment and economic inclusion.

"The President launched the facility and delivered cars to all provinces of the youth league. When he initially distributed the equipment, there were not enough at that time," he said.

"So today His Excellency the President is fulfilling his commitment, and the youths are taking delivery of the remaining equipment."

Tino Machakaire, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, said the initiative was designed to create entrepreneurs and tackle social challenges such as drug and substance abuse.

"This initiative will capacitate them to become employers and entrepreneurs, creating jobs for those looking for work in their provinces," Machakaire said.

He said the scheme was structured as a revolving fund, with proceeds from youth-run projects expected to finance loans for other young entrepreneurs.

"These youths have created companies within their provinces, so we will create a revolving fund within each province so that they can give loans to other youths who are doing well in their businesses," he said.

Machakaire also said the programme's model of distributing equipment instead of cash was intended to reduce corruption and misuse of funds.

The initiative includes the distribution of tipper trucks, front-end loaders and agricultural machinery for projects in mining, transport and agriculture sectors.

Vusa Manjonjo, the ruling party's Youth League Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs in Midlands Province, said some projects supported under the first phase of the programme were already operational.

"We have already registered companies, and some of the equipment that we took in the initial distribution exercise has already started hitting the ground running," he said.

Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson Freedom Murechu said the trucks allocated to the province would help improve economic opportunities for young people.

The programme forms part of the government's broader push to expand youth participation in the economy and promote employment creation through empowerment initiatives.