Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure in Nyanga
ACTING President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has underscored the Government’s responsibility to design investment programmes that empower millennials while fostering an environment where their talents can thrive.
He made the remarks yesterday while addressing a gathering of the Roman Catholic Millennials for Christ in Nyanga.
Dr Chiwenga was accompanied by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza and other Government officials.
The event, a core initiative of the church that reflects younger Catholics engaging with their faith and finding relevance in its timeless teachings and traditions, drew millennials from Borrowdale and Nyanga.
Its aim was to bring millennials closer to God while focusing on a generation that carries the promise and future of both church and nation.
Acting President Chiwenga said millennials (a group of people born between 1981 and 1996) represent a unique generation, distinct from those before and after them.
He described them as “children of transition,” shaped by the profound impacts of the digital revolution, economic reform, globalisation and widespread social transformation.
The Acting President explored three themes with the group: the identity of millennials, the challenges they face and the hope Christ offers to them and to all humanity.
“They are digital natives, with knowledge and information at their fingertips. This reality has sharpened their worldview and produced a dynamic generation, courageous, questioning and innovative.
“Let us first affirm the great opportunities with which God has blessed this generation: access to limitless knowledge.
As Proverbs 18:15 says: ‘The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.’
Millennials are positioned to learn from every corner of the globe, enriching their minds and broadening their perspectives.
“Technology allows them to form communities across boundaries, fulfilling Hebrews 10:24 – 25, which urges us to ‘consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together … but encouraging one another,’” he said.
The Acting President highlighted millennials’ passion for justice and fairness, as well as their commitment to advocacy, which resonates with James 1:27, emphasising the importance of caring for the vulnerable, including widows, orphans and those in distress.
He said millennials are driven to make a positive impact, refusing to stand idly by while others suffer.
Despite these admirable traits, Dr Chiwenga said, millennials also face unprecedented challenges.
“Yet, alongside these blessings, you face unprecedented challenges. Many feel isolated in an age of hyper-connection, struggling to find authentic relationships.
“The fabric of family life is often frayed, leaving some without strong support systems. The same technology that empowers you also overwhelms you, creating mental fatigue, anxiety and even addiction,” he said.
“The dangers of cyberbullying, exploitation and privacy violations are ever-present. Global threats – climate change, economic instability and geopolitical tensions – create uncertainty. The search for stable employment and financial security is a major struggle, causing frustration.
“These are not small matters; they weigh heavily on your hearts. But I stand before you today to declare that even in the face of these struggles, you are not without hope. Romans 5:5 reminds us that God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 29:11 proclaims: ‘For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
“This is the divine assurance that no matter how heavy your burdens may feel, God is with you, always. The Church is your refuge. In the Roman Catholic Church, you will find a family that walks with you.”
He added: “Government, too, has responsibility in this journey. Our investments in education, health and community support are designed with you in mind.
“We want to empower you, equip you, and create conditions where your God-given talents can flourish. As you stand at the threshold of adulthood, your faith must remain your compass.”
Acting President Chiwenga also cited Romans 5:5: ‘And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.’
He said the verse resonates deeply with the purpose of the gathering, offering reassurance that in Christ there exists unshakeable hope, unwavering love and unbreakable strength.
