YOUTH, Sport, Arts And Recreation Deputy Minister, Tinotenda Machakaire, has assured youths that government is ensuring that requisite machinery to use in artisanal mining are made available.
The deputy minister said the government has already acquired the equipment which will be distributed to organised groups of artisanal miners across the country as part of an empowerment drive to capacitate informal miners.
Machakaire said this in Raffingora during a sport and musical gala organised by Zvimba North legislator and Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Marian Chombo. The festival consisted of ball games and musical performances featuring artists from the constituency and other parts of Mashonaland West Province.
Machakaire also implored provincial leaderships to consider provision of land to youths, instead of using youths to further political interests.
“We want youths to be organized into clusters so that we can give them mining equipment. The government has already procured the equipment and we are only waiting for the launch of the programme by the President. We are also working on ensuring that youths embrace vocational training course because they are hands-on, and not purely academic,‘’ said Machakaire.
Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, Lewis Matutu commended Zvimba North legislator Marian Chombo for organising the festival, saying such events help in fostering unity among youths.
“Our youths have no jobs, so sport keeps them occupied. We put our hopes on you (Machakaire) to come up with programmes that empower the youths,” he said.
One of the participants in the soccer sporting code had his talent identified and will undergo trials with division one outfit, Chinhoyi stars.
