Three Zimbabweans in SADC Youth Parly

Africa Moyo

Deputy News Editor

Three Zimbabwean youths have been selected into the Third SADC Youth Parliament, with one of them taking the position of Clerk. 

The youths are Mr Bright Chimedza, Ms Fundile Nkala and Ms Christabel Mhiribidi. 

Mhiribidi, who studies Geography and Environmental Studies at the Midlands State University, has been selected as Clerk of the Third SADC Youth Parliament. 

Nkala is a final year Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication student with the Zimbabwe Open University, based in Bulawayo. 

The official announcement was made last Thursday. In an interview yesterday, Mhiribidi said: “It is an incredible honour to have been chosen to serve in the Third SADC Youth Parliament. Through this selection, I have been presented with yet another opportunity to serve humanity with distinction, and save the planet from extinction. 

“I am committed to representing the voice of young people and working tirelessly to advance critical issues on ubuntu, corporate accountability, climate action, renewable energy, inclusivity, peace and youth empowerment, among others.” 

Mhiribidi said her selection allows her to have an opportunity to “exhibit servant leadership which is the clarion call of our President, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and improved leadership development on my part. 

“On the part of the State, it means enhanced diplomatic ties with other SADC countries and beyond the region; improved policy-making in collectively addressing regional challenges. 

“Our priorities as a country will be taken on board, there will also be increased visibility for the nation and the idea of having Zimbabwean youths on the regional stage will help us attract investments and partnerships.” 

The Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF-SADC) is a coordinating body and a regional platform for youth and youth organisations in SADC. 

SAYoF-SADC works with the SADC Secretariat and is a youth representative in the SADC-CNGO. SAYoF-SADC is founded based on the increasing demand by young people to be important players and stockholders in regional processes, proffer solidarity at national and regional level, participation in sustainable transformation and in the agenda set by SADC Heads of State, the SADC Secretariat, and SADC organs, among other regional and international stakeholders, using the Youth Development Model. SAYoF-SADC is the primary convener of the SAYoF-SADC Youth Forum and the SADC Youth Parliament. 

It is the Africa Focal Point in United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY-Migration) and a member of the Africa Youth Front on Coronavirus (Covid-19), a high-level policy and advocacy framework set by the African Union (AU) for young people to co-lead Africa’s response to Covid-19. 

SAYoF-SADC is also leading work on youth leadership and governance, transitional justice and peace building, climate change and environment, business and entrepreneurship, disability, effective development cooperation and integration in the region. 

For Mhiribidi, it has been a memorable six months or so, after she participated in her first climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, last November, and during that time, she was selected to be part of 20 young people from across the world to engage with UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres in one room. 

She has scored a number of other achievements including being selected as a peer educator under the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

Mhiribidi was selected among 140 people from 50 countries globally. 

She is also a Global Hult Prize semi-finalist under Team Re-Wear, focusing on redesigning the fashion industry by re-purposing clothes to address Sustainable Development Goals on poverty, sustainable cities, and climate action, among others. 

Her team was selected among 700 in a pool of over 200 000 young people. 

Next month, they are going to Nairobi for the competitions and then proceed to France where the team that comes first will receive US$1 million, while five other teams will pocket US$100 000 as consolation.