‘Empowerment a hoax’
Tuesday, 29 January 2013 11:19
BULAWAYO – Combative Bulawayo youths heckled Indigenisation minister Saviour
Kasukuwere on accusations of making empty promises that his ministry would
finance their projects.
There was pandemonium particularly from the Zanu PF youths who demanded
precise answers from the minister they call “Big Brother”, forcing him to
enlist support from a local youth leader to calm frayed tempers.
Disconcerted youths expressed disappointment over the allocation of the
youth fund by local financial institutions tasked with handling the fund.
Speaking during a youth dialogue organised by Kasukuwere’s ministry, a
representative of Youths in Tourism Bulawayo chapter said youth empowerment
was an illusion.
“Most youths have not realised the benefits of empowerment. To them it is
just a mirage and a flickering illusion which does not exist,” the irate
youth representative said.
Innocent Dube of the Zimbabwe Christian Youth Forum expressed concern at the
growing number of business proposals being turned down by banks.
Kasukuwere tried to redeem himself by shifting blame on the banks.
Accusing the banks of not forthcoming for “reasons best known to themselves”,
Kasukuwere admitted the failure of youth empowerment programme.
“When I talk about the reformation of the banking sector, they say that I am
crazy. Institutions must change because our young people must enjoy benefits
from their own country like anyone else in the world,” Kasukuwere said.
“They do not want us to prosper. But time will tell. They will comply. We
are going to ensure that this behaviour stops,” a disoriented Kasukuwere
said.
“I know that it has not been easy, the young people are disappointed.”
In 2010 Kasukuwere promised youths in Matabeleland $3 million for projects
which is yet to see the light of day. – Nyasha Chingono