President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged youths to aggressively pursue wealth creation through productive work, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Addressing thousands of youths at the Munhumutapa Day commemorations in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central today, President Mnangagwa said Government’s empowerment programmes were creating opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the economy and build prosperous livelihoods.
“My wish is to see the broad empowerment and prosperity of our people so that we get to a point where the question is no longer, ‘why a person has money’; but why one has no money,” he said.
The President said prosperity could only be achieved through hard and honest work, discipline and focus, urging youths to take advantage of opportunities across agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism.
“A prosperous life for all, is possible through hard honest work, discipline and focus. This is what you our young people must work towards,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also challenged youths to embrace emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, and use their talents to contribute to national development.
“Always remember that as the youth, excellence is a critical component of your DNA. The warrior spirit together with the industrious, innovative character trait that helped to build the Great Munhumutapa Empire runs within you.
Never settle for average, neither be mere spectators in your own country. Work hard and make money. Itai mari,” added.
He urged young people to move beyond primary production and enter agro-processing and other value chains, while fully exploiting affordable technologies to create finished products from agricultural produce.
“Leverage emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, and deploy your talents and skills towards nation building.
Government would continue expanding youth empowerment initiatives, including the Presidential Youth Empowerment Fund, Youth Agriculture Plots Programme, Presidential Heifer Pass-on and Farm Mechanisation Schemes and the Munhumutapa Housing Scheme,” President Mnangagwa added.
The President further urged youths to reject corruption, tribalism, regionalism, crime, violence and drug abuse, while promoting education, skills development and community service.
“Zimbabwe’s forthcoming chairmanship of COMESA and its 2027-2028 non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council would present new opportunities for markets, investment, partnerships and entrepreneurship,” he said
President Mnangagwa said the declaration of September 15 as Munhumutapa Day was intended to immortalise Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial heritage and draw lessons from the Munhumutapa Empire’s achievements in trade, governance, innovation and self-determination.
