Government entrusts young people to lead state institutions
Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
AS Zimbabwe celebrates National Youth Day this Wednesday, we take a look at strides made by the Government in appointing young people to lead state institutions which are spearheading the transformation of the country’s agriculture sector.
After facing years of maladministration and potential collapse, the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is now back to life after state enterprise reforms.
At the helm is 39-year-old Mr Tinotenda Mhiko has steered the ship into a viable enterprise after being appointed three years ago, thanks to the government’s trust in young people.
“We have managed to restore several estates which had become moribund for some time and these are now viable and contributing to national agriculture production,” Mhiko says.
Mashonaland East-based tobacco farmer and founder of the Young Farmers Association, Mr Philip Sewera is one such young person who has embraced opportunities availed by the government in farming and his exploits have earned him trust as a commissioner in the Land Commission.
“Government has offered us opportunities in the country to practice farming, which was only the preserve of whites and it’s not only me, but many youths across the country who are now the mainstay of the sector. I was also appointed Commissioner on the Land Commission which is a testament to the Second Republic’s trust in youthful experience,” he said.
2022 National Young Farmer of the Year, Taremekedzwa Chidawanyika and Mashonaland West-based diversified farmer Kudzai Mhandu, are grateful to the second republic for advancing youth empowerment through land.
“I won the Young Farmers Award in 2022 due to my outstanding achievements in farming, but I need to thank the Government for giving us opportunities to us as youths to carry out farming,” said Chidawanyika.
“Farming is a lucrative career and thanks to the Government’s deliberate policies we are now fully taking part in economic development,” said Mhandu.
This year’s National Youth Day celebrations have witnessed youths from different political spectrums taking stock of their achievements under the Second Republic.
