adminsuddenly churned out an innovative group of youths.
The Zimbabwe Rural-Urban Tourism and Environmental Initiative is an environmentally conscious organisation consisting of more than 100 youths with an ambitious assignment to promote rural-urban tourism from township level to the international level.
They may not be living a lavish or extravagant life but their guiding philosophy to preserve and conserve the environment is simply priceless. In this day and age, it is rare to see ghetto youths rising to the occasion to promote culture, education and eco-friendly initiatives. The Zimbabwean youths have seen the need to establish a non-profitable and an apolitical organisation, according to Zimbabwean laws, spreading knowledge, appreciating of nature and raising awareness of tourism and environmental issues.
With nine different departments that focus on social activities such as music, recycling, herbs and spices, cultural sports, traditional massages, herbal gardens and African religion, the project was launched in December last year at KuPubKwedu in Seke Unit G Extension in Chitungwiza.
It was formed as an indigenous platform to empower the youths and fight drug abuse .
ZRUTEI spokesperson Miss Vimbai Muzuva bemoaned drug abuse among youths in Chitungwiza especially those who have resorted to cough syrups to get “high”.
The use of imported cough mixtures imported is rife among youths who pool their resources for the US$3 stuff.
“It is sad to note that some youths abuse drugs instead of doing something constructive with their lives. We, as an initiative, say no to drug abuse and we stand as an organisation to fight such social ills that bedevil our society,” she said.
The initiative has embarked on various projects in Chitungwiza such as recycling and clean-up campaigns using the disposed litter as their raw material so that it does not end up in the system as rubbish again.
They are also working with 30 children orphaned by HIV and Aids on a garden project which has failed to effectively kick off due to financial challenges. Using their extraordinary craftsmanship, the initiative has produced exotic handbags, caps, candle stands using old cans, vinyl records and steel bottle tops in their belief on recycling, reducing and re-using.
ZRUTEI chairperson Mr Chancellor Majoko believes that their activities can uplift their social lives.
“Our organisation seeks to empower and through this initiative, youths will benefit in terms of self-employment and sustenance. The initiative is also in the business of developing skills and talents for the youths that we are going to commercialise to the corporate world through rural-urban tourism.
“Some people within the society have adopted Western cultures and we are going back to what our President Mugabe has advocated for that we should not lose our dignity and culture as Africans. We live in the ghetto where there are no tourist sites yet there is a lot to see and that is why we are trying to promote rural and urban tourism through the various projects we engage in.”
ZRUTEI is in the process of constructing a public toilet in conjunction with one of their major sponsors, KPK – a car park – and growing vegetable gardens in three different locations.
The group recently rehabilitated a bridge in the area while they are trying to get a licence for a fishing farming project proposed at Harava Dam. The fishing project is expected to employ more than 300 youths.
The youth supplement their activities by cooking traditional cuisine such nyevhe sausages, tsine (black jack) sausages, avocado juices, banana and peanut dessert.
Mr Duncan Nkuwasenga, the group’s secretary-general, argued that traditional dishes are healthier while they test better than Western dishes.
“In cooking these traditional delicacies we are promoting our tradition and culture. The food is also healthy as it can boost one’s immune system while fighting such conditions as high blood pressure.”
The project’s vice secretary-general, Spencer Chewaluzah, said they have plans with the Campfire project for the construction of 13 chalets at Harava Dam in the district.
“It is our dream to build a cultural centre which will be the central area for all our projects and activities where we will be carrying out our projects. We are, however, facing serious funding challenges and we are currently surviving on a shoestring budget while our POSB bank account is overdrawn.”
The group hopes to commercialise their activities so that they protect their ideas while they are in the process of creating a website as a social platform of the talented youths to market their craft.
Tichaona Malidade said the commercial world was neglecting its social responsibility by not supporting and promoting environmental organisations that give life-saving techniques and upgrade their living standards through creating self employment.
He blasted unscrupulous middlemen who steal their ideas while getting credit of their original ideas.
“We create original designs for the world to see, but there are people who are busy taking credit for our works. There are people who use us as designers, buy every product created here but register the works as if they are theirs.
“These handbags are being showcased in Paris and are selling very well but us ghetto youths who are the brains behind these works are suffering.”
Abbiy Cliff, a member of Voiceless International musical group that is part and parcel of ZRUTEI, said Chitungwiza had historical sites where traditional leaders were buried and
with the proper investment and funding it had the potential to become the best tourist attraction.
“Our music is centred on spreading awareness to conserve the environment that Zimbabwe is a safe destination. We are currently working to raise US$1 000 to do a song about Zimbabwe that features Buccaneer, the sensational Jamaican dancehall artiste.”
Zanu-PF Nyadzonya B chairman Cde Lovemore Muzuva, who teaches the youths about Zimbabwean history, culture and tradition, stressed the importance of educating the youths about African history and heritage.
“If our youths are not educated about are the chronicles and issues that pertain to our traditional and cultural history they and the future generations are bound to be led astray. The youths should have the knowledge of where we coming from and going.”
Feedback: [email protected]
Online Reporter