Youths constitute a high portion of Zambia’s population and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts (MYSA) has taken a keen interest in helping to transform their lives.
People turned out in large numbers to witness and support the beneficiaries of the motorbikes, grants and sports equipment in North-Western province. This led others to drew inspiration on becoming the next recipients.
Manyinga, Kabompo, Mufumbwe and Kasempa where places the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu wrapped up the youth empowerment activities for this year.
Hon. Nkandu started his work in Chavuma where he was given a new name by the youths “Ndonji” which means a strong bird.
“The youths of Chavuma believe that this is not time for politics but this is time to work with our leaders who are in the offices. They have now given you a new name to show that you are now our brother and parent your new name in Luvale is now Ndonji,” said Naomi Keke Kuku.
Kabompo District Commissioner Chinyanga Hurbert noted that youth have become proactive in bettering their lives through empowerment programs.
“The youths of today do not want handouts but they need things like skills, something that will sustain their lives and this program has made the people of Kabompo very happy. This time whatever you are going to be given has to be made use of, I know a good number of you are going to receive something very good. Those that are going to receive the motor bikes let me emphasize that you are getting them on loan and when you pay back we shall also buy and give your friends who have been left out of this list and that is how are going to develop,” said Mr. Hurbert.
The Minister advised the beneficiaries of the motorbikes in Kabompo to open up bank accounts to enable them save towards repaying the loan.
“Those that will be empowered today should not start crying after one day or two days that they want government to empower them because you are not the only youths in Kabompo.
Those that will be given motorbikes for instance we have Atlas Mara who’s represented by the manager, those motorbikes are not for luxury but for transportation business so that at the end of the day they will be able to earn a living and then you can open a savings account, “said Hon. Nkandu.
The local authority in the province was directed to take center stage in mobilizing and coming up with very progressive ideas on how to promote sports.
“This government has come to a realization that it’s not only Lusaka, Kitwe or Copperbelt and along the line of rail where there`s talent, talent can also be found in kabompo. Who knows tomorrow we want to see the fashion Sakala`s of this world from Kabompo. We want to see very good players from Kabompo the more reason why we have centralized community sports.”
The entourage later graced the 3rd graduation ceremony at Manyinga Youth resource center where the Minister handed out start up kits to the 116 students who graduated and they received sewing machines, toolboxes, bricklaying equipment’s and electrical kits among the items.
Mufumbwe and Kasempa had their share of empowerment, sports clubs where also recipients of sports equipment. While in Kasempa the Minister caught up with his colleague the Minister of Labour Hon.Brenda Tambatamba who joined the entourage in their activities.
The youths of North-Western province where elated by the empowerment programs because an active youth is the bedrock of a nation.
