Chronicle Editor
Tinashe Kenneth Madira, Correspondent
Zimbabwe got independent in 1980 through the immense sacrifices by Mbuya Nehanda’s descendants against the minority rule of colonialists and imperialists.
Limps were broken, families disintegrated and many lives were lost for us to be liberated; for us to be recognised as Zimbabweans.
Notably, the majority of the freedom fighters who fought for our nation’s pride and identity were young people.
President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Josiah Magama Tongogara, who was the Commander of ZANU’s military wing, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, and former Vice President Joyce Mujuru, just to mention a few, were all youths when they fought during the liberation struggle.
As youths, we are the last line of defence when it comes to defending the gains of the liberation struggle.
We, therefore, should uphold our values and customs, and follow the examples that were set by the youths of yesteryear, wherever we are and wherever we go around the world, for we are the ambassadors of this great nation of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe boasts a youth dividend. Meaning, the majority of its population are young people.
Studies show that youths contribute about 67,7 percent of the country’s population. Therefore, it is in this light, one can safely state that youths are in essence in Zimbabwe.
This averment further suggests that as youths, we have a significant role to play, as we are Zimbabwe!
But, what does this mean?
Youths should lead from the front towards the contribution of Zimbabwe’s socio-economic growth. For us to achieve this, we must foster a mentality of hard and honest work; which in itself, pays.
The National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) has revealed, with much concern, that most youths in Zimbabwe have not embraced the culture of hard work, and the principle that hard and honest work pays.
As a result of this mental construct, it is a pity that as youths, we have let ourselves down by not developing the requisite aptitude that challenges this detrimental status quo.
It is a fact that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Our non-chalant behaviour has ultimately made us vulnerable to so many ills, like drug and alcohol abuse, violence and crime, among others, which has had a negative impact on our future, as a nation and as a people.
“Zimbabwe is not a drug and illegal substance producer or peddler and trends to do so will be expunged to defend our country and youths who are our future”, President Mnangagwa once said.
The President’s call to eradicate the drug scourge is evidence of a leadership that deeply cares about the well-being of young people.
Let us not allow the use of drugs to be fashionable, among us, as we will be destroying our future. We are the vanguard of our beloved nation, and must provide a pillar for a beautiful future.
A future we can all be proud of. A future supported by our able leaders.
The Second Republic, under the apt leadership of President Mnangagwa, proclaimed February 21 the Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day.
This day was instituted and proclaimed by the Government in 2017 for the nation to recognise and celebrate the contributions made by youths throughout the history of the country, and for young people to recognise and emulate leadership values.
Our leaders cannot develop the country alone; they need us as youths.
We are central to the economic development of our country. We, therefore, should believe in ourselves, and use our skills for the attainment of an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
The economic sanctions imposed on us are a hindrance to our country’s progress, economically.
They mean no good, but harm to the development of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
As youths, therefore, we should say, “No” to illegal sanctions, and, “Yes”, to the development of our nation and the growth of our economy.
Some take joy in travelling the world to harm their country’s reputation by spreading false information about it, demonising it, and causing trade boycotts, and disseminating a false narrative about our beloved Zimbabwe based on self-serving interests.
Advice cannot be given by those who apply and beg for unlawful sanctions. Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi did not sacrifice their lives for that. We cannot conspire with those who wish to destroy our country.
On April 18, 1980, the Union Jack was lowered as we proclaimed victory from imperialists and colonial forces.
Immense sacrifices were made by fellow Zimbabweans, many of whom were young people who sacrificed their lives to free our land, which is our sovereign right.
This gave birth to our national flag, the banner of our nation, Zimbabwe, which is blessed, being raised high up in the sky, representing the descendants of Nehanda Nyakasikana, our pride.
As youths, let us unify all Zimbabweans to protect our national interests. Let us stand up for our history and promote the brand Zimbabwe. To our country, we must be patriotic. Zimbabwe is an independent and sovereign nation.
Zimbabwe is our God-given homeland.
Our duty, as youths, is to defend our independence, and take a leading role in building and developing our motherland.
We should forever be united when it comes to upholding the existence of our hard-earned sovereignty, and jealously guard our territorial integrity.
We ought to take the reins and lead when it comes to defending our nation.
During the liberation struggle, it was the majority of youths who rose to the occasion for the Zimbabwean voice to be heard.
We, the upcoming generation, should continue to lift the Zimbabwean flag high, regardless of the illegal sanctions imposed on our country.
The Second Republic is doing its best to fight sanctions.
In the agricultural sector, since agriculture is one of the main pillars of our economy, many dams are being constructed.
This development of dam projects by the Government seeks to support smallholder irrigation schemes, and boost food and agricultural production.
With this, as youths, we should find spaces within the agriculture value chain to increase production and related productivity across the sector and agro-industries.
By doing so, we can make Zimbabwe the breadbasket of Africa, again.
Let us also exploit the opportunities presented to us by the Second Republic in the mining, tourism and manufacturing value chains as well as in the renewable energy sectors. We are not spectators, but must be innovators, who think outside the box, collaborating with fellow youths, while leaving no one and no place behind.
As the President emphasises: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo /Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.
Zimbabwean youths, let us make the purpose of February 21 be forever engraved in our hearts and live it every day.
Let us also use this day for introspection as we are a critical demographic group.
Online Reporter