Online ReporterRanson Madzamba
Youths were the heartbeat of our liberation struggle.
They played a decisive and transformative role in the attainment of our Independence.
They emerged as the driving force behind political mobilisation, armed resistance and socio-political development.
They remain the majority and active age of our population as a country.
A number of our renowned nationalists joined the fight for an independent Zimbabwe at a young age.
They joined political movements like ZANU and ZAPU.
Not only did they help in the mobilisation of communities, but spreading anti-colonial messages and recruited more active individuals to join the struggle.
Since some youths were still of school-going age, schools and colleges automatically became hotbeds of political activism.
The young students organised protests, strikes and demonstrations against the injustices of the colonial government.
Youths thus formed the backbone of the liberation struggle.
Some even opted to abandon school and joined guerrilla forces in the fight against the autocratic Rhodesian government led by Ian Smith.
They became part of military wings like ZANLA and ZIPRA.
They indeed sacrificed their lives for an independent Zimbabwe.
The youths are a demographic dividend we are supposed to continue leveraging on as a nation.
We need them to develop our country.
Youth empowerment in the Second Republic
The creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training is an indication that the Second Republic considers youth empowerment a key priority.
Several youth-centric initiatives have been introduced to reduce unemployment, promote entrepreneurship and impart life skills.
A youth bank, Empower Bank, was created to provide financial support to young entrepreneurs.
The current roadmap to transform all the Vocational Training Centres is indeed a welcome cause, good enough to transform the lives of our youths.
Youth focal desks have been created in all Government ministries and departments.
Policies to support the inclusion of youths in various sectors of our economy, which include mining, farming and tourism, are now in place.
The National Youth Empowerment Strategy was launched last year.
Anything for the youths without the youths is not for the youths
The strategy is indeed an outcome of extensive consultations, and it captures the voices, dreams and ideas of youths from all walks of life.
It is anchored in the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 2.
It provides a clear, coordinated roadmap to unlock the potential of our youth as drivers of sustainable development.
The strategy explores key priority areas for youth empowerment.
These include skills development, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, access to finance, value chain participation, civic engagement, as well as health and well-being.
Youth Service in Zimbabwe
A re-branded Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme was introduced by the Second Republic.
The programme seeks to promote cultural pride and identity among Zimbabwean youths.
It encourages youth participation in leadership and decision-making processes.
The programme promotes values of moral uprightness, self-discipline, productivity, integrity, incorruptibility and a sense of self-confidence, self-esteem and self-reliance among youths.
As we are currently fighting the scourge of drug and substance abuse among youths, the programme now seeks to channel youth energy, zeal and skills into voluntary productive community development.
It was indeed re-introduced at the right time.
All in all, the Youth Service in Zimbabwe is a powerful instrument for maintaining and restoring our hard-earned independence.
By nurturing patriotism, promoting economic participation and encouraging unity among youths and every Zimbabwean, the programme automatically qualifies to be a good tool to safeguard and protect gains of the liberation struggle.
The 2026 ZITF Youth Day
This year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) edition is indeed unique as it has set aside April 21 as Youth Day.
On the day, there is going to be a Youth Business Forum to be graced by Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Honourable Tino Machakaire and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu as special guests.
The forum will run under the theme “Youth Financial Inclusion: Closing Gaps in Connected Economies”.
Well, the issue is all about financial inclusion of the youths.
Empowerment is, to greater extent, all about financial inclusion.
This is indeed a great day for youths who are eager to be supported and be young entrepreneurs.
The time for youth empowerment is now. Youths should, therefore, capitalise on such platforms being created by the Government.
Ranson Madzamba is the director of communication and advocacy for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training. He is also a communication science DPhil student at Bindura University of Science Education.
