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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
VICE-President Constantino Chiwenga has said youths should be at the forefront of ensuring a drug-free Zimbabwe for the attainment of Vision 2030 and urged them to shun violence during and after the harmonised elections.
He said this while addressing youths at the inaugural Economic Development Conference towards a drug-free nation for the attainment of Vision 2030 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo yesterday.
The conference, which drew thousands of youths from all walks of life, ran under the theme: “Creating a Young People-Led Economy by 2030 by Fighting Drug and Substance Abuse.”
VP Chiwenga denounced drug and substance abuse when he led thousands of delegates in the slogan: “Pasi nezvinodhaka, pamberi nema youth edu, pamberi nevatungamiri vemangwana.”
He said the conference comes at a time when the Government is focused on creating a drug-free nation for the attainment of Vision 2030.
“This Vision 2030 being supported by Vision 2030 Movement led by Paul Mavima (Jnr) and his colleagues is a welcome development. The young people, particularly students at Advanced Level and tertiary institutions, including those in communities who are below 30 years are the future of our national development and our hope, for a brighter tomorrow,” said Vice-President Chiwenga.
He said President Mnangagwa is spearheading economic development across the country through empowerment projects and programmes targeting women and youth.
“I want to urge the young people here to take part in such empowering projects as we build our economy. Vision 2030, as espoused by President Mnangagwa, is achievable and as a nation, we are geared to ensure that we attain an upper middle-income status by 2030, and nothing will stop us,” said Vice-President Chiwenga.
He urged the youth to shun violence before, during and after the general elections.
“As we head towards the 2023 harmonised elections, I want to urge you the youths to shun violence and refuse to be used by those aspiring for political positions. Let us all embrace the values of peace, tolerance, unity and harmony,” he said.
“This will ensure that our elections are held in a peaceful and violent free environment that sustains our development trajectory.”
VP Chiwenga said President Mnangagwa’s policies are inclusive, adding that Zimbabweans are in charge of their destiny hence they have the responsibility to build their country.
“Each and every one of us has a part to play as we build our country brick by brick, stone upon stone hence the President’s philosophy, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, ichitongwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo, libuswe ngabaninilo,” he said.
“Our President is a visionary leader, a great Statesman, a revolutionary icon, a liberator and an economic emancipator. His policy pronouncements are all-inclusive, people-centred and development-oriented.”
VP Chiwenga described the President as a leader who has the desire to uplift the livelihoods of citizens, including the youth who are the country’s future leaders.
He also gave a brief history of President Mnangagwa, saying he joined the struggle in the 1960s, and did his military training in 1963 in Egypt before proceeding to China.
“And among his group, he is the only survivor. We came here last month on March 19 and went to St Joseph’s Mission in Kezi in Matabeleland South where Father Zimbabwe, the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo was born,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Interestingly in 1978, President Mnangagwa and Dr Nkomo had a meeting in Lusaka and by then the two parties had not yet united.” -@bonganinkunzi
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