Establishment of Youth Interact Centres a priority - Minister Ncube

by Christopher Makaza

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has revealed that his Ministry will prioritise the proposal by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation to establish state of the art Youth Interact Centres across the country.

Speaking during the tour of the Mufakose Youth Interact Centre in Harare today, Minister Ncube revealed that his Ministry will channel more resources towards the establishment of such centres as youths constitute the largest part of the country's population.

"I am very much delighted to be with you today through an invitation extended to me by my colleague Honourable Dr Kirsty Coventry to tour the Mufakose Youth Interact Centre. I am very impressed with the development and state of the art facilities I saw today. After witnessing such a marvellous job, may I take this opportunity to assure the Minister that I am going to support her endeavours in every possible way in ensuring that her Ministry's vision is accomplished.

"I am pledging treasury's commitment to the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation interactive centres as you have proven beyond doubt that your Ministry is action-based as witnessed during the tour. I am really convinced with such a massive development and smart partnership with the Harare City Council, thus community development will take centre stage," he said.

Minister Ncube congratulated Minister Coventry for doing a splendid job with her team.

"My Ministry is going to prioritise your proposal on establishment of state of the art youth centres like this one throughout the administrative districts in Zimbabwe. In this regard, I will channel more resources towards this noble cause as youths, athletes and artists constitute the largest demographic population, “he said.

Minister Coventry emphasised on the need to interact with athletes and artists, which will ensure their needs, are known. She encouraged the athletes and artists to register and operate professionally for their own competitive advantage.

The Youth Interact Centres seeks to remove youths from the streets and provide a good environment for interaction, networking, recreation and learning through a variety of activities for the purposes of talent identification, nurturing, development and tracking, which will result in the Ministry and the national as a whole realising the best talents and success in youths, sport, arts and culture at national, regional and continental platforms.