By Margaret Kamba 

His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa says the continued empowerment programmes for the youth are aimed at ensuring their commitment to Zimbabwe.

He said this when he handed over equipment to the ZANU PF Youth League Harare, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central Provinces at State House this morning.

The equipment which comprises of two front end loaders and ten tippers will be used to generate income so that the youths benefit from the proceeds.

Speaking during the brief handover ceremony, President Mnangagwa emphasized the need for the young people to be honest and transparent as well as working as a team. 

"The Party is empowering the youth. It's not the first time we are empowering our youth. This is a process which has been ongoing for a long time. We continue both as ZANU PF and Government to empower our youth because the future of the country is in the hands of our young people," Cde Mnangagwa said.

"It is critically important to empower them now and see that they are committed to their country, they are committed to developing their country and they are committed as the younger generation to leave a mark behind for those who will come after them to say look at what we did when we were young people in our youth. 

"So we are leaders are empowering them so it's now up to them to make use of this equipment. I hope that down the line, they will come back to me as the President and say Mr President, you empowered us with this type of equipment and these are the results of the empowerment you gave us."

He took time to inquire if the Chairmen of the three Provinces had Committees they are working with in order to be accountable and transparent. 

He warned against abuse of the equipment emphasizing that cell number seven at Harare Remand Prison which he was once imprisoned in, was currently empty and waiting for any wrong doers.

ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde Tinoda Machakaire thanked the President for the continued support.

"Your Excellency, we would like to thank you for the continued support to the youths through the numerous empowerment schemes. We are heeding yo your instructions that we should not hold cash but work with Committees and be accountable to the youths."