The Sunday Mail
Hon Patrick Zhuwao
Zimbabwe has travelled the good road as a nation. It is one of the few countries that waged armed struggles to liberate itself from colonial oppression.
Although we lost thousands of our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers during that struggle, we still taught the world the meaning of reconciliation.
Our political independence is underpinned by a significant level of maturity that recognises that violence is not the only route to conflict resolution.
That independence has also guaranteed us peace and security.
In addition, we have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world and a record of holding elections consistently and timeously.
The second journey that we embarked on was addressing social delivery issues like health.
Apart from institutional innovations, that social emancipation has found expression in how the nation has tamed the HIV and Aids pandemic and how it is recognised globally for reducing HIV prevalence.
Zimbabwe is also regarded a world leader in education provision, we are a highly literate population with a great capacity to learn.
We, therefore, lead in the area of human capital development.
The third journey we have embarked on is that of economic independence. That independence is reflected in how we recovered our land. It is also reflected in how we are strengthening economic ownership.
In a nutshell, we have set the foundation for Zimbabwe’s economic liberation.
We now need to prepare for the future as it revolves on and belongs to the youth.
This touches on the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment in coming up with mechanisms that enable young people to prosper.
In 2015, the ministry conducted a study on youth investment and recommendations on the possible investment stimulants that Government can adopt have since been made.
The African Union’s theme for 2017 speaks of “harnessing demographic dividend through investment in youth”.
Consequently, the ministry is developing a youth empowerment strategy as part of that investment.
The strategy targets economic empowerment, social engagement and political participation.
We believe the economic empowerment component should have a horizon that begins when one is officially recognised as a youth (15-year-olds for Zimbabwe and the rest of the African Union), up to their work retirement age.
This, therefore, means every young person’s life should be guided by a strategy spanning at least 50 years.
Based on Zim-Asset’s foreword, the strategy will be anchored on exploiting the nexus between our rich human capital and abundant natural resources.
This is also in line with the President’s plan of Zim-Asset being propelled by judicious exploitation of human and natural resources.
A stakeholders’ steering committee will be established to assist the ministry in gathering the views of young people and incorporating them into the blueprint.
This could last six weeks, with the first two weeks producing a zero draft.
Young people countrywide will be invited to interrogate that draft in the week ending April 30, 2016.
The first week of May will see us presenting the draft strategy to public sector entities, while the private sector and civil service organisations will be engaged in the subsequent weeks.
Regarding the general economy, we are one of the few African countries that take charge of their national budgets and the multi-currency environment makes us an excellent investment destination
However, sanctions continue to be a hindrance preventing us from reaching our full potential.
Government has done very well in terms of promoting indigenous business.
What now need to strengthen and promote ethical business practices, good governance and corporate social responsibility.
The focus on indigenisation should now turn to creating good corporate citizens out of our indigenous businesses and converting them into investment-creating assets.
While it is desirable for Government to grow indigenous businesspeople, enterprises must not see that as a licence to abuse the people’s good intentions by overcharging.
Economic empowerment is not the end of our revolution.
The goal of our revolution is to go further in strengthening Zimbabwe as a nation, and that involves constantly upgrading the political processes that gave rise to our independence.
We need to build on our social capital, ensuring that we are economically free and abide by the principles of sustainable development.
Honourable Patrick Zhuwao is the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment. He shared these views with The Sunday Mail’s Senior Reporter Lincoln Towindo in Harare last week.
