via Youths in Harare rubbish VP Mphoko utterances – Youth Forum 19 February 2015
A story in the Newsday of 28 January 2015 has sparked a heated debate among youths who are into vending questioning the Vice President’s Phelekezela Mphoko stance on vendors.
In the article, the honorable vice President asks why an able bodied man would sell in the street.
Considering this kind of rhetoric question, the premiere seems not to be aware of the quagmire that is at the midst of unemployed populace.
The Vice President’s sentiments were received with mixed feeling particularly the youths who took it to social media denouncing such actions of talking negatively of something that is earning a living.
According to Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT), statistics revealed that over 150 000 people lost their jobs last year alone which translate that the much talked about ZimAsset has not been embraced yet or is still a pie in the sky.
Many people are now eking a living through vending since it has been the only alternative way out.
Most of the people who are trading business in the streets of the capital are educated people who have failed to find their way into the formal sector due to low uptake of students churned out by various institutions.
Youths in Harare took a swipe at the vice President’s sentiments saying he seem not be of this world, he is not aware of the real hardships on the ground.
“I wonder how a person of his character would say such rubbish instead of sympathizing with us, we are in a pathetic situation and it is disheartening that he is one of the respectable people whom we look up to.
“It is high time that we as young people demand for a robust turn around initiative by means of engaging these clueless policy makers,” fumed Tinashe Nheta.
Meanwhile, the National Vendors Association of Zimbabwe Director has alluded what Vice President Mphoko said as being detached from the truth and realities of this nation.
“Regardless of one being able bodied there is nowhere to turn to, the industries are closed and opening companies are either retrenching or close each and every day so.
“It’s disgusting if a person of such a respectable position reveals that he is not aware of the quagmire affecting the general populace particularly the youths,” said Pride Mkono.
It is disgraceful to note that most of the people trading businesses as vendors in the capital have acquired degrees at tertiary level but alas they are nowhere to be employed.
The Vice President’s statement came at a time when the government is struggling its promise of creating at least 2 million jobs up to 2018 as enunciated in the economic blueprint, the ZimAsset.
COMMENTS
Mphoko is a dismal disappointment. Each time he opens his mouth he shoves his feet into it. That and his colleagues are the best ZANUPF has to offer this long-tormented nation. He does not seem to hold any principles, being the sellout that he is. He has no character. He inspires no confidence. He stays in a hotel, having turned down a house for being too small. He abandoned his own people, whose massacre he blames on Western imperialism. Now this. What a mongrel.
Well said, and to top it all, he is just a vendor as well with his ‘choppies’ shops. What makes him special? And now he doesnt pay his workers
“was met with one feeling” not mixed feelings . You fools. Which other feeling?
Carl Jung once said “The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.”