Youth Policy: Now is the time for action

The new youth policy could easily be another vague document in the eyes of young people if not properly administered. Its true relevance to our Zimbabwean context lies in an understanding by all stakeholders that we once lived in an unequal society. Our social imbalances today are a product and a mirror image of a people who were once materially, psychologically and physically disadvantaged.

Now that we have redeemed a sense of control and purpose over our lives, I strongly feel that there is no better or perfect time to administer youth development and capacity building strategies for young people than now!

The Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, together with Zimbabwe Youth Council, facilitated the official launch of the reviewed National Youth Policy by President Robert Mugabe in July 2013.
The theme was “Paving way for Enhanced Youth Empowerment”.

In the eyes of young people in terms of our expectations, the President endorsed on that day, a new lease of life and opportunity for young people to meaningfully participate in any sector of our country and economy without hindrance or discrimination.

Guided by the African Youth Charter which Government ratified, our National Youth Policy speaks of the rights and responsibilities of youth in this country.

These are rights that ought to be respected and followed through not only by Government departments and parastatals, but also by non-governmental organisations and the private sector at large.

From major companies such as Zimplats, Old Mutual and Econet to seemingly small enterprises, young people’s interests must be protected and served.

We applaud Government for the effort in the education sector over the years and again this year there is a provision to construct several schools across the country.

Young entrepreneurs in the construction sector are set to benefit.
This example of youth empowerment is what institutions and companies across our economy need to learn and also implement.
The responsibility for developing young people and giving them access to opportunities is not only for Government but for every Zimbabwean.

An old saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child”.
So, as much as it requires a village to raise a child, in the same token it also takes a nation to raise youth.

Focusing on Government’s efforts we are currently doing well in ensuring the implementation of our youth policy and the African Youth Charter but clearly Government still needs to do more to popularise the policy and make it public knowledge, not only to young people but also to other stakeholders who should complement government as the custodian of the policy.

Taking into account the United States and European government’s practice and attitude towards youth development, their system is cognisant of the needs of the youth down to the private sector.

In many countries, small organisations understand that they have a part to play in the development of their own young people.
They don’t need Government’s policing towards the implementation of their youth policies.

It is not the same back home. It is time organisations pursue their own initiative and not wait for Government to first read the riot act before they can act on anything.

Section 5.3.1(e) of our youth policy document says: “Government shall approve a 25 percent quota of all economic indigenisation and empowerment facilities in agriculture, mining, commercial, tourism, and industrial economic activity reserving and making available for youth, paying particular attention to the empowerment of young women and young people with disabilities”.

Section 2.7 on the guiding principles in the youth policy part (ix) addresses the need to mainstream youth issues from Government through to the private sector.

Based on the provisions that have been clearly spelled out in the youth policy, the private sector and NGOs have their job clearly cut out as far as youth empowerment is concerned.

Now is the time for the implementation of the national youth policy by all stakeholders involved.