Chronicle Editor
Christopher Farai Charamba Correspondent
The Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe defines a youth as a person between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age. This year as independent Zimbabwe turned 36, the nation graduated its first set of youth from the born free era to adulthood. Article 20 in the Constitution reads; “The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must take reasonable measures . . . to ensure that youths (a) have access to appropriate education and training, (b) have opportunities to associate and to be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life;
“(c) are afforded opportunities for employment and other avenues to economic empowerment . . . ”
These three provisions among others under the same article are an obligation that the State has to the youth of Zimbabwe. As one celebrated independence this week, a question that came to mind was whether or not the State had fulfilled its obligation to youths.
If one were to inquire of the first year of born-frees to graduate from being youths whether they have had access to appropriate education and training, opportunities to participate in political, social and economic spheres of life, or been afforded opportunities for employment and other avenues to economic empowerment, how would they respond?
In terms of education, the State has made considerable effort in educating the youth.
According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of 2014, 86.1 percent of young men aged 15-24 years and 92 percent of young women are literate.
Zimbabwe also has 14 universities offering a wide variety of programmes.
The State also provides a Presidential scholarship for students to study outside the country, many in South Africa but some as far as Algeria.
The serious question comes in young adults’ participation in political, social and economic spheres of life.
On the political front, young people — while a massive demographic in terms of voting numbers — have a very limited role on the political scene.
For a long time in the ruling party Zanu-PF, the Secretary for Youth, Cde Absolom Sikhosana was aged over 60 while he held the post. His replacement, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, was also aged over the constitutional age of a youth.
Do such appointments suggest that there are no individuals aged between say 21 and 35 years capable of holding the Secretary for Youth post?
One does not mean to imply that there are no young adults with senior posts in political leadership, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President Phelekezela Mpoko, Cde Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga is under 35 years of age so is Zanu-PF Member of Parliament Cde Tione Melody Dziva.
However, in terms of numbers, youths in politics are the exception rather than the rule.
A serious issue that young people face is they are neglected and relegated to the sidelines. Common responses that young people receive when they attempt to be innovative or establish themselves are that they are too young and must wait their turn or that they are inexperienced and therefore cannot contribute to the conversation.
For the most part in Zimbabwe, young adults have been relegated to and only taken somewhat seriously in the entertainment and sporting arena.
Yet even in sport some talented young people are overlooked for “more experienced” individuals.
When one looks across the border in South Africa, there is a marked difference in terms of young adults in political leadership for example.
Leader of the EFF Julius Malema is 35-years-old, leader of the DA Mmusi Maimane is 36-years-old this year and his predecessor as DA leader of Parliament Lindiwe Mazibuko is also 36-years-old.
Now this is not to say that there should be a massive overhaul of political offices to accommodate young people but rather to put a challenge to the youth to stand up and be counted.
Those aged between 15 and 35 years constitute a significant percentage of the total population of Zimbabwe, certainly larger than those above the age of 35. Yet one will find that participation of young people in many areas particularly politics is minimal.
Research and Advocacy Unit who conducted an audit of the Zimbabwe voters roll vis-à-vis the population census say very few adults aged under 30 are registered to vote. This is most marked in the 18-19 age band, where only 8.87 percent of 524 142 people are registered voters.
In numerical terms, of those between the age of 18 and 30 years, 1 920 424 ought to be registered as voters but are not.
That is some 2 million young people. To put that into perspective it is almost a third of the total number of the voting population in Zimbabwe.
Young adults certainly need to stand up and be counted, literally.
Their sheer numbers constitute an important voting demographic. But perhaps the reason why young people are apathetic to elections is that there are few candidates to whom they can relate.
Again the challenge is to other youths to stand up and represent their demographic.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says the minimum age for one to be a councillor in local rural or urban district councils is 21 years of age and the minimum age for one to be a member of the National Assembly is also 21 years of age.
Should one look at the demographics of Zimbabwe vis-à-vis representation in Parliament there is certainly a marked difference in terms of the numbers of representatives from the different age groups. The majority of the youths are likely to have the least representation of officials.
This is in part due to the fact that most parties do not field young candidates but also that young adults do not run, be it for local office or for Parliament. Information on election procedures and how to stand for office is also lost on the youth.
While the State does have an obligation to provide certain opportunities for young people, the bottom line is that unless one rises to the occasion they shall forever remain on the sidelines. The numbers certainly work in the youths’ favour in terms of a demographic but that is only potential which can amount to nothing if not sought out and organised.
The next election is set for 2018 and while one might think that two years is a long time, preparations for that election, particularly for the youths, starts now.
If the first generation of born-frees wishes to be heard, be it in political, social or economic spheres of life in Zimbabwe, they first need to stand up and be counted.
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