National Youth Day preparations on course

Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter

National Youth Day celebrations on February 21 will be centred on Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo with President Mnangagwa as guest of honour for commemorations under the theme: “Positioning youth empowerment and development towards Vision 2030”.

ZANU PF Youth league has intensified preparations for the day as it celebrates the works of the veteran nationalist and late former President Robert Mugabe, who was born on February 21.

National Youth Day is celebrated annually on February 21 and the national celebrations are being hosted outside the capital Harare in the spirit of devolution and in line with President Mnangagwa’s pronouncements that the capital city should not have a monopoly over national events. Youths from all 10 provinces will be attending.

Zanu PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Tino Machakaire said the commemorations will be the first interaction meeting between the President and youths after the 2023 harmonised elections.

“We have a very important programme that is imminent and requires our utmost attention. As you might be aware, we are scheduled to jointly host the National Youth Day with the Ministry of Youth Development, Empowerment and Vocational Training.

“Preparations at Government level have already started hence the need for us to catch up with all relevant stakeholders. Together, let us forge ahead, inspired by the remarkable leadership of our commander, Cde Dr. E.D Mnangagwa and united in our pursuit of progress,” said Cde Machakaire.

The party, he said had critical programmes lined up for this year and, as the vanguard of the party, the youths were expected to participate in their numbers.

“Let me remind you that we are leading a highly expectant demographic dividend that expects us to craft youth development policies that address socio-economic and political issues affecting them on a daily basis. I, therefore, urge all of us gathered here to treat this meeting with the urgency it deserves as we are expected to craft a trajectory that all of us are going to follow in our day to day running of the league,” said Cde Machakaire.

He said that the resolutions made at the 20th Annual National People’s Conference are being implemented by Government ministries.