adminPaidamoyo Bore and Tanaka Mahanya
Today Zimbabwe celebrates its 43rd birthday as an independent sovereign State.
A bloody liberation struggle was wedged to free the country from white minority rule, and youths believe they are the biggest beneficiaries of independence.
Tatenda Chinyerere, a Hopley resident, said as Zimbabwe turns 43, there was a need to intensify the fight against drug and substance abuse among the country’s youths.
“We are glad that we are free and we can freely express ourselves, but there is a need to fight against drug abuse.
“Youths should come up with business initiatives and organise themselves into groups so that they can find something to do.
“Youths are abusing drugs and other substances, but independent Zimbabwe does not need such characters.
“The future is in our hands as young people, but if we abuse drugs, then our future will be bleak,” he said.
Harare Polytechnic Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) president, Tanaka Kaseke, said the advent of independence had enabled Zimbabweans to make remarkable strides in foreign lands, which was not possible pre-independence.
“We are being recognised everywhere and we are at the heart of serious businesses internationally due to the quality of education accessible to everyone.
“We must remember that before independence black people were subjected to inferior education, hence we couldn’t pursue careers of our choice unlike today,” he said.
Allan Mbotshwa said independence not only brought with it political freedoms, but a whole lot more.
“Our independence has helped us to become the best of ourselves. We can now freely express ourselves and have equal employment opportunities as long as you have the qualifications and requisite experience. Independence restored the dignity of black people and that’s why I am proud to be Zimbabwean today,” said Mbotshwa.
Online Reporter