President Mnangagwa leads National Youth Day commemoration

ALL is set for the National Youth Day commemorations in Masvingo province today where President Mnangagwa will lead official proceedings as the Government seeks to mainstream the participation of young people in major development programmes in the country.

At least 30 000 delegates from all the country’s provinces are expected to attend the national event at Mushagashe Youth Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo.

Delegates from the neighbouring South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Tanzania are also expected to grace the programme, which will run under the theme: “Positioning Youth Empowerment and Development Towards Achieving Vision 2030”.

This year’s theme has been crafted in recognition of the critical role that young people play in economic development.

The National Youth Day is celebrated annually on February 21 and is part of the country’s public holidays.

Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Vice President Cde Kembo Mohadi updated Cabinet about the preparations for today’s National Youth Day commemorations.

He said the Vice President made the update in his capacity as the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.

“The event will host an Economic Dialogue, during which a youth representative will make a presentation on issues affecting the youths,” said Dr Muswere.

“The Economic Dialogue will bring together about 30 000 youths from all provinces of the country, and the President, His Excellency Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.

“Foreign delegates from South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Tanzania are expected to grace the occasion.”

The minister said the National Youth Day provides the nation valuable time to reflect on what the youth need to do to contribute to socio-economic development of the county considering that they are the majority.

“The objectives of the 2024 National Youth Day celebrations are as follows: to celebrate the National Youth Day; to identify and unlock the socio-economic potential of youths through building the capacity of young people; to identify and unlock socio-economic opportunities for youths by engaging policymakers in key sectors of the economy to harness the youth dividend towards achievement of Vision 2030, and to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth development initiatives, programmes and projects,” said Dr Muswere.

He said logistical issues relating to the day’s commemorations had been finalized, adding that the Government wants the youth to emulate good leadership values through emulating the forebearers who fought for the country’s independence.

“The youths constitute 64 percent of the country’s population and the National Youth Day Celebrations will enable the youths and Government to take stock of the empowerment programmes to date and engage on community-specific change projects,” said Dr Muswere. “The event also provides young people with opportunities for ownership, accountability, responsibility and sustainability of initiatives, while ensuring that we leave no place and no one behind.”

Meanwhile, Cabinet resolved that this year’s Independence Day commemorations will be held in Manicaland province on 18 April in line with the Second Republic’s resolution to rotate the hosting of national events.

Dr Muswere said the Independence Day celebrations will run under the theme: “Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030.”

“The nation is also informed that preparations for the 2024 Independence Anniversary and Children’s Party are on course with the road works and civil works expected to start soon,” he said. – @nqotshili.