GOVERNMENT has implored young people in the country to be proactive when presented with opportunities that can change their lives.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says this mind set change is the only way young people across the country, be successful.
Ms. Siliya said young people should be proud of doing something for themselves that can make them stand out and be recognized.
She was speaking when she met 10 different youth organisations and entrepreneurs at a meeting held in her office in Lusaka today.
Ms. Siliya said Government is aware that businesses in the country have suffered greatly due to restrictions following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
She explained that Government has responded to the challenge by putting aside the K10 billion medium term refinancing facility meant to restructure, refinance or extend credit to businesses and households impacted by the coronavirus.
She added that Government is currently engaged in discussions with other stakeholders on how best small businesses can also benefit from the fund.
Ms. Siliya said Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of young people is further expressed in the address to the nation by President Edgar Lungu in which he directed the Minister of Youth and Sports to find opportunities for the young people to venture into skills training and other business ventures.
Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya has challenged young people specialized in advocacy to educate the country on issues affecting them through various available platforms including the media.
“I have never heard young people on radio or television talk about advocacy issues or indeed their successes,” she said.
The Minister said young people in the country do not have to wait for special days such as the Youth Day to speak about their issues but that they should be willing to constructively engage Government and the people around them at any given time.
The Minister called on the young people in the country to use social media to access opportunities that Government is offering and not use it to insult others.
“When RDA advertises a tender on Facebook, only four people will like it. But when a comedian posts something on Facebook it will receive 100 likes. Who do we blame?” she asked.
Ms. Siliya advises young people to acquaint themselves with trending jobs that will sustain them in the future.
“If the jobs of today are in business or ICT, we should know the business of the future,” she said.
The Minister said young people in the country should not be intimidated to visit Government offices to inquire on available opportunities because all such institutions are public and meant for them.
“Do you know that you can apply for land in the Ministry of Lands? The Minister of Lands has been talking, don’t say I will get land when am 60,” she advised.
And Information Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said Government is working towards consolidating the ideas that young people have put across and make a road map on the way forward.
He said Government is happy that young people have responded to the call and is looking forward to discussing the solutions in the next meeting.
Meanwhile Youth Legacy Secretary General, Jonathan Simutuwe, encouraged young people to desist from relying on the Government for employment but seek opportunities that will help them create employment for others.
He, however, said this is only possible if Government helps to harness and nurture their skills and talents.
And Youth Federation Secretary Judith Ndonga, appealed to Government to take interest in community based youth programmes as they are key in job creation among young people in communities.
She said young people with brilliant ideas have failed to actualize their ideas because do not have access to relevant Government institutions.
And Bibi Ajusa of Tashma General Dealers said Government should consider supporting small businesses that have been affected as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus.
She said many small businesses have negatively been affected and can nolonger sustain themselves whilst others have totally collapsed.
Last week’s meeting is second in a series on meetings the Chief Government Spokesperson has lined up with various youth groups.
Government also assured young people across the country that it will create a platform at which they can share their concerns.
The Chief Government Spokesperson earlier said it is important that young people play an active role in the socio-economic affairs of the nation.
Ms. Siliya said young people are an important asset to every Government not only in Zambia but the world as a whole because the future of nations is dependent on them.
She has since advised young people to organize themselves by having effective and proper representation unlike the current situation where everyone claims to speak for them.
Ms. Siliya said speaking in a structured manner will make it easy for Government to listen to their views and act on their concerns.
She encouraged the young people not to be ashamed to use their skills and talents to advance their lives and help the country move forward.
She also advised young people not to use social media platforms for insulting others but as platforms to celebrate their success as was the case in other countries.
“As a ministry we will take the responsibility to create a platform within the Government system where you, our young people can be celebrated because there are so many of you that are working hard and are an inspiration to your peers,” she said.
She said Government may not be in the position to empower each one of the over 6 million young people in the nation but is doing everything within its power to address their major concerns.
“When you go on social media, you would think as if there is no hope as half of the things you find there are insults and negative things about the country and yet the Global Peace Index rated Zambia as the fourth peaceful country in Africa,” she wondered.
Ms. Siliya said Government’s desire is to ensure that young people are given priority in all aspects such as business contracts but that it was up to them to change their mindset and begin to seriously focus on things that matter the most.
“Why should youths be content with the twenty percent given to local subcontractors when they can get even hundred per cent?” she questioned.
Government will ensure that there is equity, fairness and chance for all the youths moving forward.
“Zambians, denying each other businesses, jobs and the only thing you can do is to speculate when a fellow Zambian is given a tender or contract,” she said.
Ms. Siliya said the country does not only need to rely on the civil service but must also help boost the private sector as it also creates employment too.
She explained that not all graduates in the country will have a job but others will have to use their skills and talents to venture into business thereby creating employment for their fellow graduates.
Ms. Siliya called on the youth to demand for access to the citizen economic fund which Government sets aside in the budget.
“Maybe our colleagues at CEEC need re-orientation to understand that this is the time to be proactive and take a chance at Zambian youth who are eager to showcase their talents and skills but cannot do so because they do not have resources,” she said.
She added, “If we don’t wake up now, others will get our money and go with it to their countries. So we should get CEEC to explain to us why it should be impossible for them to take a chance on a young Zambian,” she said.
Ms. Siliya assured the youths that Government has heard their views and will ensure that all issues raised are taken care of.
Speaking during a meeting, Sarah Ngoma, a female carpenter and founder of Finest Fit Kitchens, called upon Government to consider giving young people projects in various fields such as carpentry which she said was losing its value.
She said many youths nowadays shun the skill and cannot enroll because they consider it a skill for dull people.
“Give us projects not loans and you will see what young people are capable of doing,” she said.
And Joseph Kasama from Youths In Farming Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Limited said Government should ensure fairness and equity in awarding of contracts to local people especially the youth.
He said the unfairness in contract awarding has led to youths protesting and engaging in negative vices.
Meanwhile, Mirriam Mumba, a hair stylist said Government should empower youths according to the skills and capabilities.
“We have different talents and we inspire people differently so if the Government empowers one who is in the lead definitely they have empowered everyone because they too will learn from us,” she said.
Among the issues raised by young people include the need for a streamlined communication platform, access to empowerment funds, access to Government ministries, and equity in the awarding of Government contracts.
– MIBS.
