Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
MEMBERS of Parliament last week rallied behind a motion calling for the enactment of a 30 percent youth quota in local authorities and provincial councils, arguing that young people must be given opportunities to participate in decision-making processes at all levels.
Debating the motion moved by Mkoba South constituency MP John Kuka and Zanu PF proportional representation MP for Manicaland Province, Univencia Amanda Chakukura, legislators said youths constituted the majority of Zimbabwe’s population and should not be excluded from governance and developmental issues.
Matabeleland South youth quota legislator, Tinashe Mushipe, said youths played a critical role in the liberation struggle and deserved representation in leadership structures.
“If we look back at our country, the people who fought for this country were the youths. Some of them were young when they fought for this country,” he said.
“After this country had been liberated, these youths who were at the forefront came and occupied the offices and represented the youths. We are kindly requesting that for every post that is being advertised by the Government, from the grassroots to the highest level, may we have youths being represented in these positions, and their voices heard.”
MP Mushipe thanked President Mnangagwa for creating opportunities for youths through the youth quota system in Parliament. He said young people were not demanding positions on a “silver platter” but wanted opportunities to prove themselves.
He also appealed for a quota system in local authorities, noting that youths faced challenges in campaigning during elections because of limited resources.
“Before going on, let me thank His Excellency for giving the youths opportunities to be Members of Parliament. I am a product of the President’s desire to have youths in Parliament because I am a youth representative,” he said.
“We are not to be given this on a silver platter; we are supposed to show and prove that we are worthy of these positions. We are not saying give us everything, but we are asking for that youth quota in the local authorities. In every deliberation to do with the development of the country and the uplifting of our people, we need the youths to be part of it and their voices to be heard.”
He added that young people wanted to learn from older generations to ensure continuity in governance and leadership.
Kwekwe Central MP Judith Tobaiwa said the motion was not merely about youths, but about national development and governance. She noted that the Constitution provided for youth participation, yet young people still faced limited access and underrepresentation.
“I rise to fully support the motion brought before this House by Hon. Kuka and Hon. Chakukura,” she said.
“This is not merely a youth issue, but it is a national development issue, a governance issue, and ultimately a future of Zimbabwe issue. The Constitution of Zimbabwe is clear that young people must be afforded opportunities to participate in political, social and economic spheres, yet the lived reality tells a different story — one of limited access, minimal representation, and underutilised potential.
“Zimbabwe is a youthful nation with over two-thirds of our population under the age of 35. It is both logical and just that our governing structures reflect this reality.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa