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The Launch of Hope, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Project On a bright morning in Harare, excitement filled the air as the Newlands Country Club prepared for a significant event—the official launch of the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Project. The initiative aimed to empower the youth of Zimbabwe by creating sustainable job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship. As guests began to arrive, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Among them was Mr. Solomon Mhlanga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training, who was invited to be the Guest of Honour. He understood the importance of this project, especially in a country where over 2.3 million young people were not in education, employment, or training. The event commenced with heartfelt greetings from the Director of Ceremonies, who welcomed representatives from various sectors, including development partners, private sector actors, and youth leaders. The crowd represented a mosaic of Zimbabwean society, united by a common goal: to uplift the youth. As Mr. Mhlanga took the stage, he reflected on the challenges faced by young Zimbabweans. “Today’s launch is not merely a project event; it is a strategic milestone in our journey to create inclusive and decent work opportunities for our youth,” he stated. His words resonated with the audience, many of whom were eager to contribute to the nation’s economic transformation. He spoke of the government's Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy, emphasizing the need for actionable solutions that empower youth as job creators and leaders. The audience listened intently as he acknowledged the critical partnership with SNV Zimbabwe, whose support had been instrumental in reviewing national policies and promoting youth-responsive planning. The YEE project, now in its second phase, aimed to reach 13,000 youth and create 7,000 green jobs. As he shared the successes of Phase I where thousands of youths were trained and many enterprises flourished—the audience erupted in applause. The statistics were not just numbers; they represented lives transformed and futures secured. After Mr. Mhlanga’s inspiring speech, the program featured a documentary showcasing success stories from the previous phase. Young entrepreneurs shared their journeys, highlighting how the initiative had equipped them with skills and confidence. The room was filled with hope and inspiration, as attendees saw firsthand the positive impact of the YEE project. The event concluded with a call to action. Mr. Mhlanga urged all stakeholders to collaborate and ensure the successful implementation of the YEE project. “Empowered youth are the foundation of Zimbabwe’s prosperity. Together, we will realize that vision,” he declared. As the guests mingled during the exhibition tour, conversations sparked between young entrepreneurs and potential investors. The atmosphere was electric with possibilities. The YEE project was more than a program; it was a movement toward a brighter future for the youth of Zimbabwe. And so, on that day, a new chapter began one filled with hope, empowerment, and the promise of a prosperous tomorrow for the youth of Zimbabwe.

In a significant move to empower the youth of Zimbabwe, Hon. Minister T. Machakaire distributed purebred Boer goats to 30 youth clubs in Mbire District, Mashonaland Central. This initiative, supported by the Chinese Embassy through its Youth Maker program, aims to enhance the livelihoods of young people by providing them with high-quality livestock that can improve goat genetics and increase carcass weight, ultimately boosting their income. Addressing youths at Gonono Business Centre, the Deputy Chinese Ambassador, Me Cheng Yan, said that, “We just hope the donation will serve as a catalyst or trigger to unleash the immense energy and potential of youth in Mashonaland Central and to boost the local livestock industry.” In addition, the ambassador added that, “Under the leadership of Hon. Min Machakaire, coordinated by the Ministry of Youth, we expect the program will enhance the goat productivity through cross-breeding with local herds so as to increase the income of the youth and enable them to play a greater part in local economic development and livelihood promotion.” The event was attended by our Permanent Secretary, Mr. S. Mhlanga; Chinese Embassy officials; UNDP Country Representative Dr. A. Odusola; and Mbire Constituency Member of Parliament Hon. D. Butau. Together, they toured local sesame fields, where Mbire youths are actively engaged in farming this cash crop. The income generated from sesame farming has enabled many young people to build and improve their homes. During the handover ceremony, Hon. Minister Machakaire was thrilled with the projects and how determined the youths in Mbire district were. “I am pleased to note that some of the youth in Ward 4 have already surpassed the lower threshold of this economic classification, earning over $4,000 per year. This is a pure testament to the power of determination, organization, and strategic economic engagement.” “I was happy to receive reports that the youth of Mbire are fully engaged in goat and sesame farming clubs. In addition, the youth groups were strategically organized into clubs, and this structured approach fosters efficiency and makes it easier for the ministry and its stakeholders to introduce impactful interventions that can scale up youth operations,” the Hon. Minister said. Furthermore, the Hon. Minister stated that, “Our vision is to establish Mbire as a hub for purebred goats, and for this we are actively working to secure additional resources to continue the transition from F1 crossbreeds to purebred stock. Furthermore, as we strengthen the goat and sesame value chains, we plan to construct a standard abattoir for goats in this district. This facility will ensure value addition and improved market access for goat products.” In addition to the goat distribution, the Hon. Minister provided mobile gadgets to Junior Parliamentarians present to enhance their technological capabilities and facilitate effective communication. Furthermore, twelve youth ward officers from Mbire District received motorbikes to improve their mobility and engagement with the youth in their respective wards. This comprehensive approach not only supports agricultural development but also fosters communication and connectivity among the youth, paving the way for a more empowered generation.

All is set for the signing of performance contracts and awards ceremony at State House in Harare today, where President Mnangagwa is expected to lead the process. Cabinet ministers and senior public sector officials will sign performance contracts in line with Vision 2030, which demands that leaders provide sustainable economic growth, employment, wealth creation, national development and poverty alleviation for the people. So far, 6 000 projects across 14 thematic areas have been implemented. The projects have been closely monitored, evaluated and awarded since 2021 when the performance contracts were implemented. This comes as some Government officials have recorded major successes in their portfolios. In terms of State Enterprises Reform being led by President Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has emerged as a beacon, showcasing significant strides in financial transparency, accountability and service delivery for the benefit of the people. Under the leadership of board chairman, Dr George Manyaya, appointed in December 2021, ZINARA has transformed from a careworn entity into a model of effective state enterprise management. It is now one of the most transparent state enterprises after it disbursed 88 percent of its revenue to councils and road authorities while also recording a first-ever clean audit from the Auditor-General.