NEW: SADC youths jet in ahead of summit

Online Reporter

YOUTHS from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are in the country ahead of the summit, where President Mnangagwa will assume the chairmanship of the regional bloc.

Youth representatives from Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zambia, Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles and South Africa were welcomed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Friday by ZANU PF Youth League Deputy Secretary for Commissariat Cde Taurai Kandishaya.

Eswatini’s researcher from the University of Cape Town Ms Senani Mamba said the purpose of their visit was to prepare for the SADC summit and witness President Mnangagwa’s assumption of the chairmanship.

“What we are looking forward for the chairperson to do for the region is to accelerate agricultural productivity, and it is good for the continent,” she said.

“People, even from low-income areas, are able to accelerate and move into the whole export-oriented market. We would like to congratulate President Mnangagwa on his new appointment and we know that with his leadership capabilities, he will be able to lead the region to the next level of development.”

Mr Edgar Silwimba, Zambian development activist and Pan-Africanist, said Zambia and Zimbabwe are like twins.

He said they were excited and looking forward to President Mnangagwa’s reign as SADC chair.

“Above all, we, as youths from the region, are very much excited. It is the first time that SADC is hosting youths as well on the sidelines to see how best we can contribute, so it is a big sign that President Mnangagwa is coming with a concept of inclusion.

“We want to see …  youth inclusion activities in the region, so for us as youth, this is a good sign that we are here in Zimbabwe and for the two countries. Us coming from Zambia, we are a few kilometres away from Zimbabwe, but our expectations are quite huge; we want to see the two countries grow in solidarity.”

Mr Silwimba said they want to see economic growth and more cooperation among member states, especially at youth level.

“We want to see more exchange programmes and we are excited because we know that if Zimbabwe is the SADC chair, Zambia is as well because we are the nearest country to Zimbabwe and most likely the likelihood of us benefitting from this SADC role which President Mnangagwa is going to assume. We are so excited and we are looking forward to his success as SADC chair.”