Story by Jerold Sasa
Youths from Mashonaland East province are looking to the future with hope after benefiting from the Presidential Heifer Pass on Scheme which is set to empower them economically.
The 70 youths who received the heifers at Grasslands Research Centre in Marondera this Friday have become the latest beneficiaries of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s empowerment drive.
ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial youth chairperson, Cde Isaac Taskani said, “We thank our President for remembering us and we are forever grateful for this gesture meant to empower us.”
“As a youth from Seke I am very excited as this is set to transform my life, excitedly,” said a beneficiary.
Another added, “I am hoping that as a youth, I shall be able to pass on the heifers to other beneficiaries so that it becomes a success.”
The youths have since been urged to prove they are worthwhile beneficiaries of the empowerment drive.
“I am urging our beneficiaries to properly look after the cattle and not to misuse them by selling to butcheries,” said the Minister of Lands, Agriculture Water Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.
The Minister of Youth and Vocational Training, Honourable Tino Machakaire said, “I know most of the beneficiaries have knowledge since they went through some training which is very important.”
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Aplonia Munzverengwi said, “We are happy as a province that we have received our share and we are now going to focus on productivity.”
Four other provincial Ministers; Advocate Misheck Mugadza of Manicaland, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira of Masvingo, Honourable Christopher Magomo from Mashonaland Central and Senator Charles Tavengwa of Harare, witnessed the handover ceremony, which will be replicated in all the country’s provinces.
