NEW: Sacrifice to defend Zimbabwe’s interests, youths told

Gibson Nyikadzino

Zimpapers Politics Hub

GOVERNMENT will continue to encourage youths to embrace the spirit of empathy and cooperation to build a brighter and more inclusive future for every citizen, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire has said.

In a speech read on his behalf in Harare last week by his deputy Mr Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, at the 80th anniversary commemorations of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, Minister Machakaire urged Zimbabwean youth to put the national interest first.

He said the sacrifices that were made by Russian youths in defence of their motherland between 1941 and 1945 against the Nazi Germany onslaught, leading to a loss of 27 million lives, should inspire a spirit of patriotism in Zimbabwe’s youths.

“People of Russia defended their territory during the Great Patriotic War, and for Zimbabwe, last month we celebrated our independence from colonialism,” he said.

“This anniversary is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience.

“The youth are the vanguard and torchbearers of the present and the future.

“They carry the aspirations of the future generations. We should remind and encourage them to learn from the sacrifices made by Russian youth when they defended their country.

“As we remember the past, we must look ahead.”

Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Nikolai Krasilnikov said his country’s Victory Day “matters for all of us”, as it facilitated the end of the Second World War, led to the formation of the United Nations and contributed to the triumph of Africa’s liberation movements.

“The victory in the Great Patriotic War facilitated the end of the Second World War in September 1945.

“Such an outcome made it possible for the United Nations to be established.

“And the United Nations contributed significantly to the triumph of the liberation movement across the globe, including in Africa.

“With such aspirations, we remember the lessons of the Second World War. Russia will do its utmost to prevent such a disaster from happening again. That is why we conducted the special military operation against the Neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine,” Mr Krasilnikov said.

The Junior Member of Parliament for Harare Central constituency, Tanaka Musiiwa, said the event had taught him to make sacrifices for the country’s development.

“We should be able to make sacrifices for what we believe in and make sure our nation is always at peace,” he said.

“The war and victory of Russia gives us a lesson that if we are determined to end particular problems affecting Zimbabwe, we can truly succeed.”

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ms Sheila Chikomo; ZANU PF Politburo members Cdes Patrick Chinamasa, Christopher Mutsvangwa, Mike Bimha and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi; senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic community and junior parliamentarians.