Simudza Zimbabwe (SZ)
Background
Simudza Zimbabwe Youth Organisation (S.Z.Y.O) reg. NC016/0213 is a socio-economic entrepreneurship organization whose vision is to alleviate poverty by incorporating the Youths into the main stream economy. Simudza Zimbabwe was formed in February 2013 after seriously considering the problems facing youths in Zimbabw
e. The youths are the majority, forming about 67% of the national population according to census 2012 statistics and they also form the most productive group in modern Zimbabwe. Most of them are well educated, skilled yet they still cannot make it in the reigns of success. They live in abject poverty with most of them turning to drug abuse, crime and other atrocities. Some are forced to join the enemy camp seeking to challenge the status quo, much to the detriment of the Revolution. Some skip the country and elope to neighboring countries where they are subjected to inhumane conditions, racism and xenophobic attacks. Yet even though they form the majority, they are neglected and often given less opportunities. When they get something to do it’s either demeaning or they serve as general workforce. Karl Max said “one cannot be coined rich until he owns the means of production”, yet most of the youth do not own any meaningful means of production. The youths are the vehicle for the country’s economic turnaround. They only need the chance and opportunity to prove they can do it. The good part is the Government has already put aside Youth Quota signed and ratified by Our President, His Excellency Cde R G Mugabe. The agreement is between Youth Ministry and the Government. Under the agreement, the government officially agrees to reserve 25% of every business opportunity for the youths. It is against this backdrop that Simudza Zimbabwe decided to stand and advocate for the youths, demanding from the corporate world the implementation of that which the government agreed to offer the youths-The Youth Quota. The organisation seeks to organise youths already in business to increase the capacity of their business operations and create employment and new business opportunities for the unemployed youths. Although Simudza Zimbabwe was initially formed as a youths empowerment lobby group in the area of Entrepreneurial development, the Organisation has realized its scope should not only be limited to lobbying for youths empowerment, but also play a key role in youths enterprise development focusing on grass roots youths in line with the new economic blue print, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio- Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET). The Organisation also seeks to lobby for local firms to use readily available workforce and purchase locally produced produces rather than going to other provinces or even other countries. For instance, schools in Zimunya-Marange district should buy uniforms manufactured in the area rather than buying from Harare or South Africa, while Spar Mutare should buy locally produced eggs or chicken for resale in its Supermarket. The idea is local firms should support local community as the community is the customer. The Organization also aims to offer opportunities for the youths in imparting knowledge, loans, training, technology and economic exposure to all sectors of the economy, working through its implementation Arm. It has a pool of highly trained members in areas of accounting hence it is able to produce viable projects plans with sound and feasible cash-flow projections. By establishing youths in businesses in the rural and urban areas, schools and colleges Simudza Zimbabwe becomes an advocate for:
a) The productive use of land in farming, mining, tourism, commerce and industry. b) Empowerment of the youths through market linkages across all sectors of the economy. c) Creating employment opportunities in rural areas thereby curbing rural- urban migration. d) Incorporation of key stakeholders in mentoring young people of Zimbabwe in their business initiatives. e) Raising business interest in schools. f) Encouraging youth friendly policy in all sectors of the economy through youths think tanks
g) The supporting of local suppliers in agriculture, mining, tourism, commerce and industry. h) Promoting Agriculture as a viable carrier option and business opportunity. Capacity building of the youths in the various disciplines of their businesses through training, mentoring, and market linkages. Simudza Zimbabwe realized that despite being economically disadvantaged, the youths possess enormous economic potential which is only waiting for the correct method of tapping. If the youths are to be rightly empowered then they have the potential to become key players in the revival of the economy. PROBLEM STATEMENT
• The high rate of unemployment nearly 80% of the youths are unemployed and not engaged in any meaningful economic activity.
• In an agro-based economy only 5% of the youths in rural farming communities are engaged in mainstream farming activities.
• The uncoordinated approach that the youths business initiatives are taking resulting in poor farming records , poor business performance, poor ethics and standards , poor quality of products produced , poor skills and capacity , poor communications and networking , poor research and no coordinated approach to the marketing of products – generally low productivity and little land usage.
• Very little or no career guidance - resulting in the youths making wrong choices and uninformed economic decisions, poor planning, de-motivated youths, poor values and poor business performance.
