By Derik Tsimba

Zimbabwe’s economy can only grow through productive activities, the Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs has said.

Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Mary Mliswa said this yesterday whilst addressing the National Youth Convention at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma.

“The economy can only grow through productive activities such as farming and mining. I want the young people to take advantage of the 10 hectare pieces of land for farming that you are going to be allocated across the district. Organise yourselves and form mining companies, mosiya zvamabhemba izvo.

“Sixty percent of our people are 35 years and below, this platform provides us with a big opportunity to develop the demographic divide through mainstreaming this generation in both the economic and political divide,” she said.

The Minister of State said young people should be proactive and be the Second Republics foundation.

“Our young people must be involved, and not only that and they must be proactive to enable them to be the foundation on which the second republic is anchored upon. The youth are the hope of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF. We must develop capacity and sharpen our arsenal for the call of national duty.

“The province has a history of seven youths who looked at the colonial system in the eye and said it was enough which caused the beginning of the Second Chimurenga known as the famous Chinhoyi Battle. This is what we expect from our youths that they have the same courage. Mashonaland West Province has many youths and Zanu PF Youth League is the party’s vanguard,” said the Minister of State.

The Harare Post has learnt that the National Youth Convention initiative gives young people an opportunity to interact with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a bid to build the nation towards attaining vision 2030 for upper middle class economy.