Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
ZANU-PF Matabeleland South Youth League Provincial chairman Cde Moses Langa has called on young people to actively participate in nation-building programmes as a way of honouring heroes and heroines who fought for the country’s independence.
Zimbabwe will on August 10 commemorate Heroes Day, a national holiday set aside to celebrate men and women who played a part in the attainment of independence, with some paying the ultimate price.
Speaking ahead of the commemorations, Cde Langa said Heroes Day should serve as more than a public holiday for youth in Matabeleland South. He said it is a reminder of sacrifice, patriotism and responsibility.
“Heroes Day is a reminder of sacrifice, patriotism and responsibility. For young people in Matabeleland South, the celebrations mean remembering the men and women from the region who fought in the liberation struggle and those who continue to serve the nation,” he said.
Cde Langa said the youth have a mandate to ensure the country remains on course to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
He said this can only be realised if young people take up the responsibility of development in the same way that liberation war fighters took up arms for freedom.
“Youths are challenged to take up the baton in development, in mining, agriculture, education and community building, just as the heroes took up arms for freedom. Matabeleland South has a proud history of contribution to the liberation struggle. Heroes Day reinforces pride in that heritage and unity across communities,” he said.
He said Government and party programmes announced around Heroes commemorations often target youth empowerment, and this provides an opportunity for young people to align themselves with national development goals.
“In short, Heroes Day tells the Mat South youth that the freedom they enjoy was paid for. Now it is their turn to build,” Cde Langa said.
He said to support that call, the Provincial Youth League in Matabeleland South is set to roll out a programme of interface meetings with youth structures in every district.
The visits, he said, are meant to hear challenges and ideas directly from young people at grassroots level.
Cde Langa also encouraged more young people to participate in party activities and national development programs.
“We will roll out information on youth-focused projects such as mining claims, agriculture inputs, vocational training and SME support that government and party have availed,” he said.
Cde Langa said the engagements will also be used to remind youth of the party’s history, values and the role of young people in defending the gains of the liberation struggle.
The district rounds will be led by the Provincial Youth Executive and will move systematically through Bulilima, Mangwe, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Matobo, Insiza and Umzingwane.
Each visit will include interface meetings, sports tournaments and community service projects. Cde Langa said the aim is to align district structures ahead of national youth events, rallies and Heroes commemorations.
“We want the youth to understand that development is not something that happens to them, but something they must drive. Whether it is in agriculture where we have irrigation schemes, in mining where there are opportunities for small-scale miners, or in vocational training that equips young people with skills, participation is key,” he said.
Cde Langa added that the youth league will work with other stakeholders, including traditional leaders, churches and business, to ensure that information on available opportunities reaches every ward. He said special attention will be given to rural districts where access to information has often been a challenge.
Meanwhile, elections were held last Saturday in Bulilima District to fill the vacant position of Zanu-PF Youth League District Coordinating Committee Secretary for Youth Affairs.
The vacancy arose after the previous district youth secretary, Cde Dumisani Mpofu, was elevated to the Provincial Executive of the Youth League in Matabeleland South. In line with party procedures, an election was announced to ensure continued representation and leadership at district level.
Cde Sympathy Moyo won the election resoundingly. Cde Langa congratulated her and said the outcome reflects the confidence that Bulilima youth have in her leadership.
“The outcome reflects the confidence that Bulilima youth have in her leadership and her commitment to mobilising young people around party programmes, empowerment initiatives and development projects in the district,” he said.
He said the new leadership in Bulilima is expected to hit the ground running and ensure that young people in the district benefit from ongoing Government and party programmes.
