Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
YOUTHS in Makoni District, Manicaland Province, have applauded the government’s ongoing efforts to empower young people, stimulate rural development, and curb the growing threat of drug and substance abuse.
The fight against the scourge in Makoni West has entered a new phase, with local legislator and Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, introducing various interventions aimed at raising awareness and promoting community action against drug abuse.
This Saturday, Dr Muswere hosted a sports tournament dominated by an anti-drug abuse campaign targeting youths who are the most affected constituency.
“The programme being spearheaded by Cde Muswere has brought a lot of excitement as it helps to fight drug and substance abuse. He has also spearheaded several empowerment programmes,” a community member said.
“We want to thank our legislator, Cde Muswere, for organising this tournament. This is a great opportunity for us. We are happy that we have been given money to start projects, and we are highly appreciative,” a youth said.
“Ever since I was married here in the Tandi area, I have had no opportunity to continue with sporting activities. I am so excited to be afforded this opportunity,” a female community member said.
“We have been given money to start projects. We thank Honourable Muswere for spearheading empowerment programmes as a way of helping us to shun drug and substance abuse,” a beneficiary said.
The local leadership also commended Minister Muswere for his hands-on approach in transforming rural livelihoods through income-generating projects, over and above efforts to fight drug and substance abuse.
“We were given computers, books, chicks, and pigs under community support and empowerment programmes. The projects are growing, and our pigs have increased to 52. We want to thank Cde Muswere for launching a programme to fight drug and substance abuse. This programme is having a positive impact on our community,” a community member said.
“We gathered here to be informed on the resolutions adopted at the ZANU-PF national people’s conference. Most people now understand the importance of resolution number 1, which seeks to extend President Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030 in order to see through the successful implementation of Vision 2030,” another community member said.
Minister Muswere, who also distributed chicks and feed during the tournament as part of the broader economic empowerment programme, said the tournament is not just about sport but also a platform to engage youths on development and empowerment issues.
“The programme we launched recently to fight drug and substance abuse is now being fully implemented. This also gives us an opportunity for you to meet your party district chairpersons and your legislator to discuss developmental issues. We can also take advantage of this gathering to help other youths find employment, while others are assisted to venture into projects.
“We have nine wards in our constituency, and for this round, we are giving every ward US$1 500, meaning that the total amount will be US$13 500. At the finals, we will see the winner receiving US$5 000 with the two runners-up receiving US$1 000 each. This means US$20 000 will go toward prize money,” he said.
The gatherings have also served as an opportunity for the legislator to give feedback on the resolutions adopted at the ZANU PF National People’s Conference, including the resolution calling for the extension of President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.
“The ZANU PF national conference held in Mutare recently passed a number of resolutions aimed at developing the country. Some of the resolutions adopted include the need to construct more universities, the construction of dams, including Gwai-Shangani, and the review of taxi fares. Resolutions also proposed more construction works at universities like Manicaland State University. The most important resolution is resolution number 1. It endorses the leadership of President Mnangagwa to be extended to 2030 in recognition of stellar developmental works,” Dr Muswere said.
As the tournament progresses to ward level, and with more empowerment initiatives being rolled out, Makoni West is fast becoming a model for youth engagement and rural transformation under the second republic.
