Sundaymail Editor
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Zimbabwe’s youth demographic, which stood at 67 percent of the population at the last count, is a game-changer that could see the country achieve its vision of an upper middle-income status even before 2030.
As the world continues to shift towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Zimbabwe has a great opportunity to embrace the change that is underway to foster its development. Not only are the youths energetic and more resourceful, they are also techno-savvy and can resolve many technical challenges, bringing easier and faster solutions through their innovative minds.
Africa is said to have the potential to jump many stages in development that other continents have had to go through for decades, because of technology.
And the youths are better placed to lead this revolution because they are alert to issues, particularly those to do with technology and new ways of doing things. The transformation of the world into a global village has come in handy in terms of access to the latest technology.
This is critical in our manufacturing processes, mining, farming, healthcare, education and other components of our well-being. Technology is making life much easier.
The young ones, even in our homes know how to operate most gadgets and access information on the internet faster than most parents who may actually be chief executives of companies and other high ranking portfolios who have no choice but to allow them to lead the way.
They also teach us how to use our own phones and what applications are loaded in these and other gadgets that we can use productively, making life much easier in the process.
The young ones know their stuff, not just at the micro levels, but on the global stage.
While other countries and continents are battling with older populations and their attendant challenges, Zimbabwe and Africa in general have a youth bulge that should be exploited in socio-economic transformation.
In fact, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation says Africa’s young is expected to be double the number of people in Europe by 2100.
Actually, Africa is on course to being the next big thing because it has the biggest number of youths of all the continents. All the superpowers have done the maths and they realise Africa offers infinite possibilities not just because of its rich natural resource base, but its young population particularly.
Zimbabwe typifies this and it would be a sad day for our country where we to fail to maximise on this huge demographic advantage.
Section 20 of the Zimbabwe Constitution subscribes to this fact. It says in part:
“The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must take reasonable measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that youths have access to appropriate education and training; have opportunities to associate and to be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life, are afforded opportunities for employment and other avenues to economic empowerment, have opportunities for recreational activities and access to recreational facilities and (are protected from harmful cultural practices, exploitation and all forms of abuse.”
The section concludes by noting that all these measures must be inclusive, non-partisan and national in character.
This is quite instructive and needs to be followed to the letter if the youths are to play a more effective role in this country’s development discourse.
Indeed any country’s social and political terrain is defined and determined by the youths.
The African Youth Charter provides a strategic framework for youth empowerment and development activities at the continental, regional and national levels across Africa as it addresses key issues affecting youth, including employment, sustainable livelihoods, education, skills development, health, youth participation, national youth policy, peace and security, law enforcement, youth in the Diaspora and youth with disabilities.
Developed after research was conducted on the state of the African Youth by the African Union Commission, the Charter provides an avenue for effective youth participation in the development process.
Malawi-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur Allen Mukwenha, who is also managing director of Peloton, a business strategy and consulting firm, believes Zimbabwe has the ingredients to participate in the new world order in which the global economic structure has reduced barriers to entry for participation in the world economy.
“Whereas previously one needed a lot of capital, land and physical assets, today, one only needs an internet connection, creativity and capacity for hard work to succeed. This is the reason most of the global corporations that dominate markets today are companies started in college dormitories, garages and basements by people from different backgrounds from high school dropouts to PHD holders.
“Zimbabwe needs to drive adoption of technology to foster a ‘maker culture’ so that youths can take advantage of these changes and contribute to national growth. Certain fundamentals need to be in place: Internet and communication services must be affordable, and the country needs to work on integration of its payment systems with the rest of the world to enable e-commerce businesses to easily make and receive international payments,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s education system has largely been skewed towards the production of employees and yet the economy now demands more entrepreneurs than salaried workers.
However, the introduction of Education 5.0 by the Government has begun to yield results.
The advent of Covid-19 has brought about new innovations where university students have acquired the skill and knowledge to produce hand sanitisers, sanitisation booths, masks and other protective clothing. This inculcates an entrepreneurial culture critical in the provision of solutions the country needs.
These universities have reported revenues running into millions of dollars through the production of PPE. At the Bindura University of Science and Education for instance, funds earned from the PPE have financed other income-generating projects such as a goat breeding venture set to benefit livestock production in this country.
This will benefit students with practical skills as opposed to textbook theory that may not resonate well with what the country needs presently.
“The education system should also place more emphasis on technology, with schools, town councils, ministries and businesses funding hackathons and contests for students to hone their skills by solving real-world problems,” says Mr Mukwenha.
The Government has always acknowledged the importance of youths and the need to empower them, but now is the time to operationalise the youth charter and other policies meant to empower them so they can realise their potential.
As things stand, some youths are unemployed and are engaging in menial jobs, drug abuse and other social ills that compromise their ability to contribute towards national development.
More youth programmes need to be implemented to harness this demographic and ensure the country achieves its aspirations sooner than anticipated.
The private sector can also participate actively in coming up with youth funds and other training programmes that produce well-rounded youth ready to take their place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
On their part, the youths themselves should do all they can to contribute meaningfully in the development discourse.
It is critical that they go to school and attend colleges and other vocational training centres where they can acquire knowledge and skills to make it in this life.
The onus is on them to aspire for greatness and work towards achieving it.
In God I trust!
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
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