Bulawayo to host National Youth Day

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will preside over this year’s main National Youth Day celebrations at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo from February 20 to 21, in line with the Second Republic’s decentralisation of State events.

This year’s celebrations will run under the theme: “Empower Youth, Secure the Future.”

The day is celebrated on February 21 each year to reflect on issues affecting young people in Zimbabwe.

The national event upholds the principles of effective youth participation.

In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said that as a duly proclaimed and gazetted national holiday, the event will provide a platform for young people to interact with President Mnangagwa.

“Cabinet considered and approved the preparations for the 21st February commemorations report, as presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works in his capacity as acting chairman of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments, Honourable Engineer Daniel Garwe,” he said.

“The nation is informed that the 2025 National Youth Day Celebrations will be held at Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo, from 20 to 21 February, in line with the Second Republic’s policy of rotating national events.”

Dr Muswere said that young people will showcase their talents, businesses, and contributions to national development, raise awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, and promote commitment and investment in youth development initiatives, programmes, and projects.

“Running under the theme ‘Empower Youth, Secure the Future’, the main event on 21 February is expected to attract a total of 20,000 youths drawn from the country’s nine provinces, with the rest of the youths in all provinces following proceedings in real-time at designated Vocational Training Centres and institutions of Higher Learning,” he said.

Dr Muswere stated that foreign visitors, including ministers and youth council representatives from selected African countries, are expected to attend the event.

“The pre-celebrations events on 20 February 2025 will attract an estimated total of 5,000 youths drawn from schools and institutions of higher and tertiary education within Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and the adjoining provinces.

“Highlights of the day will include a sporting and cultural fiesta, youth exhibitions, a clean-up campaign programme, a community outreach initiative on drug and substance abuse, and the distinctive Ixhiba/Nhanga/Gota exposition by the First Lady, Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa,” he said.

Dr Muswere added that logistical preparations are already underway, with a total of 250 buses earmarked for equitable distribution across the country’s provinces.

“Additionally, 15 shuttle buses will be made available to all constituencies in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province to facilitate the successful execution of the 20 February 2025 programme,” he said.

Last year, National Youth Day celebrations were held at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo Province.

Celebrated annually on 21 February, the national holiday marks the birth date of the late former President Robert Mugabe. It seeks to honour his legacy and encourage youths to embrace strong leadership values by emulating the ethos upheld by national liberators.