Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, has raised alarm over the escalating crisis of teenage pregnancies and drug abuse among young people, urging the church to strengthen its role in safeguarding the nation’s future.
Speaking at the ordination of 52 bishops from the Council of Churches in Africa (CCA) at the Bulawayo Large City Hall on Saturday, Minister Ncube warned that without urgent and collective action, the country risks losing a generation to early motherhood and substance dependency.
Her appeal comes amid a deepening youth crisis in Zimbabwe. National statistics and studies have linked teenage pregnancies to school dropouts, cycles of poverty, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has previously reported cases in which girls as young as 12 have given birth.
Simultaneously, the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network has raised concerns over the growing prevalence of illicit substances, including crystal meth and marijuana edibles.
“The future of our children is in danger. For example, here in Bulawayo, there is a rising number of child pregnancies, with the youngest mother being under 13 years of age. Statistics show that from January to date, we have recorded over 500 teenage pregnancies, and it is a tragedy to imagine someone so young becoming a mother. We must unite to fight this,” said Minister Ncube.
She emphasised that churches, with their moral authority and grassroots reach, are well-positioned to complement Government efforts to protect the youth.
“We are calling on the church and its representatives to join hands with the Government so that we can make our country proud by tackling this scourge of teenage pregnancies,” she said.
Turning to substance abuse, Minister Ncube expressed grave concern that the drug trade was increasingly involving women who prioritised financial gain over the welfare of children.
“What is most painful is that some women are deeply involved in the drug trade because they love money. When baking cakes, there are two types and two colours, and the children who use drugs know, which colour contains the substances. These women do not care about the future of our children,” she said.
The Minister further noted that while many parents are paying school fees, some children are skipping classes to indulge in drugs. She warned that if left unchecked, the problem would erode the social fabric and undermine national development goals.
She reiterated that the Government’s development vision requires collaboration with faith-based organisations.
“The church is heavily involved in governance, which naturally complements the efforts of the Government in promoting peace, development, and sustainability. A stable nation can easily develop itself,” she said, reaffirming the State’s commitment to supporting indigenous churches in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”.
Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, Minister Ncube’s sentiments, noting that the ruling party and the church have historically worked together on both moral and socio-economic fronts.
“Zanu-PF and the churches have a long-standing relationship. The church is deeply involved in nation-building, not only from a spiritual perspective but also by leading developmental projects across the country, whether in education, mining, or agriculture.
“We share the same vision for this nation with the church, and we are equally eager to see Zimbabwe achieve its Vision 2030 ahead of schedule. The church can play a significant role in motivating the entire nation to work towards this goal,” said Cde Machacha.
President of the CCA, Bishop Dr Rocky Moyo, pledged that the council would mobilise its structures to combat the twin crises of teenage pregnancies and drug abuse.
“As a church, we stand ready to work with the Government in the fight against the scourge of teenage pregnancies and drug and substance abuse that are destroying our youth. We are also willing to work hand-in-hand with the Government to bring about peace, development and a brighter future for our nation. We appeal to the Government to assist us in running our programmes that are aimed at nation-building,” he said.
Dr Moyo added that the ordination of the 52 bishops was a testament to the unity of the church — a unity he said is essential in addressing pressing social challenges.
