dyton mupawaenda
George Maponga–Masvingo Bureau
Youths have been challenged to lead Zimbabwe’s fight against illegal sanctions imposed on Harare by the West.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere also urged young people to exploit opportunities provided by the Second Republic in various sectors of the economy to help the country overcome the unjustified economic sanctions.
Young people, added Dr Muswere, should draw inspiration from the 1960s and ‘70s when young people led the liberation war that eventually kicked out the Rhodesian colonial regime, and brought black majority rule in 1980.
He was speaking in an interview with the media ahead of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, which is marked today across the Southern African region, after the day was set aside by SADC during its summit held in Tanzania in 2019.
Dr Muswere exhorted youths to take up opportunities in various sectors including tourism, agriculture, mining, broadcasting and ICT.
“We have to ensure that our young men and women; the youth, are mobilised to defend, advance and protect the rights and interests of this country, to defend, advance and accelerate the development of this country,” he said.
“We have so many ways in terms of ensuring that we have the right to self-determination.
“We have an enabling environment which allows all young people to be able to contribute towards macro-economic growth in this country and also in order to ensure that we have a favourable balance of trade.”
Dr Muswere said all young men and women have a responsibility to create alternative platforms that will help win the fight against sanctions.
“In the 1960s and 70s, it was the young men and women who took up arms who mobilised each other, who gathered intelligence, who gave logistical and food support to other young people who were fighting against colonialism through a protracted 16-year-long struggle,” he said.
“The young people were able to liberate this country and also to have self-determination.”
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter