It is sad that the youth of Zimbabwe has a day set aside to celebrate them, yet there is nothing really to celebrate. The youth in Zimbabwe continue to face a plethora of challenges ranging from joblessness, idleness, drug and substance abuse, exclusion and lack of opportunities.
On a day we are supposed to be celebrating youth, I am angered by the government’s waste of funds in holding a youth day event which does not benefit the youths anyhow. The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Recreation and culture hasn’t made any meaningful stride to alleviate the challenges that young people face in this country.
I condemn the use of the Ministry’s funds to hold a public event wasting taxpayers’ monies. The millions that have been used today could go into drug and substance rehabilitation programmes for the youth and empowerment programmes for the youth.
The tragedy of Zimbabwe is that of undermining the youth and failure to implement good policies to benefit the ordinary person.
Youth day should be commemorated with the aim of creating everlasting energy among the youth to empower them for endeavours towards the advancement of the nation. We should celebrate to inspire all the youth to be development-oriented not to be pawns in a game of political power or retention.
My message to the youth in Zimbabwe is that the power to transform this country is in your hands. The future belongs to you, start planning for it today not tomorrow.
Youth are the heroes of today not of tomorrow, create your legacy today without being subdued by agendas you do not understand. Before being used for political agendas that are elitist, choose your future first, choose a development-oriented party that has space for young people to participate in the governance issues of this land. That party is LEAD. Youth have the
energies that will define the future.
The future of a nation depends upon the youth of the country.
It is your energy, your thoughts that will define tomorrow. May you shine bright. Happy National Youth Day.
LEAD President Linda Masarira
