By ZBC Reporter
Young people in the country have taken heed of government’s call to grow the economy by venturing in a number of sustainable businesses.
In commemorating National Youth Day this Sunday, young people took the day as an opportunity to reflect on how they must contribute towards the development of the country.
Leslie Marange is in the food processing industry and Walter Marara into clothing and design, and theirs are success stories of youths determined to carve a legacy of entrepreneurship that should help inspire other youths in the country.
“I started very small all I had was an idea. I started with only three people producing only 4 cereal varieties but now I have managed to increase my products with more products on the market. Now I have over 40 employees and we are producing cereals at a national level.
“My advice for youth is to follow their dream. As long as if you have a good business idea start up, investors will chip in when they see a future in your business,” said Marange.
Walter Marara, an entrepreneur, said, “We started off as just designers of clothes. We were just two. As the business grew we started tailoring and making our own clothes as well as designing. To date we have done designs for premier league clubs and corporates to mention just a few.
“We encourage youth to take up business from grassroots. Follow current trends and start up something after your heart.”
In the wake of such success stories of youths in business, government says it banks on the innovations and hard work of young people for the country to overcome its various challenges which include the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Dr Kirsty Coventry, said because of the global COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted on the lives and livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans, youths are the most affected.
“As the world adjusts to a new normal where ICTs have become the answer to the demands of daily activities, it is the resilience, easy adaptation and innovativeness of young people that is of paramount importance to overcome the current challenges,” she said.
The National Youth Day was proclaimed and instituted by Government in 2017 in order for the nation to recognise and celebrate the contributions made by the youth throughout the history of the country.
During this year’s celebrations, the Ministry youth, sport, arts and recreation through the Zimbabwe Youth Council, National Arts Council, Sports and Recreation Commission, and the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe has lined up an online, two day, fun-filled and enlightening programme to celebrate National Youth Day from 25-26 February 2021.