An Assessment of the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy as a Tool for Youth Empowerment with a Focus on the Youth Fund: A Case Study of Mutare Urban

Abstract

This study sought to assess the national youth policy as a tool for youth empowerment with a special focus on the youth fund using Mutare Urban as a case study. The study was a response to the growing recognition of youth participation in development. The beneficiaries of policy must themselves be key actors in identifying and addressing livelihood priorities. In the study, the data collection instruments used a survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion as this involved both a quantitative and qualitative study. Research findings revealed that whilst youth in Mutare are aware of the Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act, very few are well informed on the national youth policy which provides the framework through which they can be empowered to participate as beneficiaries of indigenization through the youth quota. Very few young people have so far applied for the youth fund and of those few; a small percentage has been approved for funding. It was also established that there are various factors that resulted in low youth participation in development and these included lack of clear defined roles by the stakeholders to the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy, an indigenous and economic empowerment programme swamped in controversy, the political climate in Zimbabwe, approval of youth fund loans based on one’s political affiliation and corrupt practices within the banking sector. This study recommends the strengthening of the multi-sectoral partnership by setting clearly defined roles for the stakeholders to the youth policy. There is need to extensively train youth for enterprise before they apply for the youth fund; it is also necessary for government to improve access to information on the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy by youth from marginalized communities. The National Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act must be amended to ensure that it is implemented in an enabling political and socio-economic environment.