By Parliament Reporter- A Chipinge-based youth empowerment and advocacy grouping, Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD), has been invited by the government to participate in the 2025 national budget consultations.
This recognition marks yet another milestone for the organisation, which has a long history of successful lobbying on key community issues, including land rights, environmental justice, and governance transparency.
The budget consultations, held ahead of the Finance Minister’s official budget statement, provide stakeholders with an opportunity to shape national priorities.
The invitation was extended by Clemence Chiduwa, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance, signalling the growing impact of the organisation’s advocacy efforts.
The organisation’s Claris Madhuku, Thursday confirmed the group’s readiness for the event, emphasising that they will raise several pressing issues that directly affect the Chipinge community.
One of PYCD’s key priorities is the establishment of a Human-Wildlife Conflict Fund. Despite the introduction ofthe Chibuwe-Mutema CAMPFIRE project, human-wildlife conflicts remain rampant in Chipinge.
” The budget must allocate clear financial support to sustain this initiative and effectively address the daily challenges faced by affected communities,” said Madhuku.
He said the organization would also push for the creation of a Disaster Fund and an Early Warning System (EWS) to mitigate the devastating effects of cyclones and floods, which have historically wreaked havoc in Chipinge.
PYCD believes that an effective EWS should be integrated with local community radios, Vemuganga FM and Ndau FM, both of which were recently licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.
” These radio stations, should be strengthened to enhance access to information and serve as key agents in the national devolution agenda,” he added.
Climate adaptation is another major concern. PYCD is advocating for the solarisation of boreholes to support community gardens and irrigation projects.
Many areas in Chipinge suffer from severe water shortages, and the organisation believes that investment in sustainable water solutions will significantly improve local livelihoods.
The expansion of solar energy is also high on PYCD’s agenda.
” The Hakwata Solar Project has already demonstrated the viability of solarisation in Chipinge, and we want similar initiatives rolled out, particularly in schools,” Madhuku said.
The organisation stresses the need for computers and reliable internet access to ensure that students are not left behind as the country embraces Education 5.0, which integrates technology into learning.
Additionally, PYCD will call for transparency in the disbursement of devolution grants.
The organisation argues that funds from the central government must be allocated in a timely and systematic manner to prevent bureaucratic delays that often slow down procurement and development projects.
The group is also spearheading efforts to combat drug and substance abuse in the region.
With an alarming increase in school dropouts and child marriages linked to drug abuse, PYCD wants anti-drug campaigns to be prioritized in schools and adequately funded through the national budget.
Beyond its lobbying efforts in the budget process, PYCD has a proven track record of standing up for Chipinge’s most vulnerable communities.
The organisation played a pivotal role in successfully blocking private companies that sought to displace residents from their land.
It has also exposed corruption within local authorities in Chipinge and surrounding districts, holding officials accountable for mismanagement and abuse of public resources.
Moreover, PYCD played a crucial role in stopping politically connected land barons from prematurely pushing for Checheche Growth Point to be granted town status.
The move was a ploy to enable fraudulent land sales to unsuspecting home seekers, and PYCD’s intervention saved many from falling victim to this scheme.
With a strong history of activism and policy influence, PYCD’s participation in the 2025 budget consultations is a significant step in ensuring that Chipinge’s developmental needs are not ignored.
The organisation’s commitment to community-driven solutions continues to position it as a powerful voice for grassroots empowerment and accountability.