Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu has called on young Zambians to position themselves for employment opportunities at Mulungushi Textiles, which is expected to resume operations within the next 30 days.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility after a town hall meeting at Makululu Secondary School over the weekend, Mr Nkandu said the revival of the textile plant forms part of the government’s broader strategy to diversify job creation beyond traditional sectors such as education and healthcare.
He disclosed that the factory is projected to employ approximately 150 workers per shift, with 90 percent of the positions earmarked for young people.
“Previously, we used to see our colleagues just buy overalls and give them to young people to make it look like the plant was about to open, even when it wasn’t. But now, you can see for yourselves that real progress is happening,” Mr Nkandu said.
“My main interest is the young people, because when this plant starts operating, it will employ about 150 people per shift. And it’s not just any jobs, 90 percent of those employed will be young people,” he added.
The minister also encouraged youths and farmers to consider diversifying into cotton cultivation to take advantage of the market opportunities that will arise from the plant’s operations.
“Young people, money isn’t only in milling or seeding. You can also earn by cultivating cotton and other profitable crops,” he said.
Mr Nkandu stated that government’s role is to create a conducive environment for private sector growth, which he said would attract increased foreign direct investment and contribute to job creation.
The revitalised factory is projected to produce approximately 40,000 metres of chitenge fabric per day once fully operational.
I thought it opened a while back ??? now its reopening shortly ???
Thank goodness 800 jobs coming up for grabs we were promised