Story by Tafara Chikumira
GOVERNMENT has handed over heifers to youths in the Midlands province under the Presidential Heifer Pass-on Scheme, in a move aimed at empowering youths as the country moves towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
The 69 heifers handed over to youths this Wednesday are part of the 80 heifers donated to the Midlands province in 2022.
The handover marks a new chapter for some youths who are looking forward to some lucrative returns from the scheme.
“We are very happy with President Mnangagwa’s leadership which fulfils promises time and again. The President is already fulfilling his 2030 vision by taking care of the country’s future generations,” ZANU PF Midlands Province youth chairperson, Cde Ernest Dzoro.
A beneficiary added, “As a young person, I feel like my future has been shaped. I had nothing but the President has presented me with a great opportunity to start a life. The future is indeed bright.”
“All this is a clear testimony that we indeed have a listening President. He has listened to our concerns and today we are all smiles,” noted a beneficiary.
The Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, who handed over the heifers on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the scheme is testimony of the Second Republic’s pro-people policies.
He said, “The Midlands province appreciates and commends highly President Mnangagwa for initiating sustainable youth-centric empowerment programmes exhibited through financial inclusion and incorporating them in key leadership positions that cut across councils, parliament and parastatal boards. Furthermore, the Youth Ministry and youth desks have been established to accelerate youth empowerment and development through business loans, training, land allocations and provision of essential Presidential inputs for our youths.”
“We are so happy to have such a scheme being fulfilled. This will help even the girl child to guard against drug and substance abuse which sometimes leads to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies,” said Youth Quarter legislator Honourable Rutendo Mpofu.
Since the inception of the Second Republic, the previously disadvantaged groups in society including youths and women have been receiving various empowerment programmes as the government pursue an inclusive development approach.
