Youths ready to take up leadership roles

mature enough to take the revolution further.
In separate interviews on the sidelines of the just-ended Zanu-PF 12th Annual National People’s Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo on Saturday, Zanu-PF Bulawayo youth league chairman, Cde Butholezwe Gatsi and his Matabeleland South counterpart, Cde Washington Nkomo, said the youths should not be taken for granted.
They urged the party leadership to incorporate them in the main wing so that they take up leadership roles to allow them to gain experience.
“It is high time that the youths are allowed to take over leadership roles so that they gain experience. We are conscious of the revolution and the expectations of our leaders and we will not disappoint,” said Cde Gatsi.
“As youths we support the call for a quota system in Government and we will be able to lead effectively.”
Cde Nkomo concurred saying the youths should be part of decision-making processes on key political and developmental issues.
The youths commended President Mugabe for championing the indigenisation programme and expressed optimism that the policy would eradicate poverty and create employment opportunities especially for the youths.
“As youths we expected much to be said about the economy. A majority of us are poor and unemployed and many have gone to South Africa in search of jobs. We applaud President Mugabe for coming up with the indigenisation policy and this time we expect more action and less talking,” said Cde Nkomo.
The youth leaders said the conference progressed well, adding that their views were taken into consideration.
“We are happy the conference gave us the opportunity to present our concerns. We have been waiting for such an opportunity for a long time and we have been promised that loans for us to start businesses will be availed soon,” said Cde Gatsi.
The youths also said the conference gave them the opportunity to revive the party structures ahead of the next election.
Said Cde Gatsi: “After the conference we will revive our structures and branches and mobilise people to vote for Zanu-PF.”
They also demanded to be considered when it comes to allocation of land on the remaining farms.
“The remaining land should be given to the youths. It is nice to defend what you have. We are mature enough to be productive. The governors and land committee leaders should take us seriously and ensure that we benefit as well,” said Cde Nkomo.
On violence, the youths said they would respect President Mugabe’s call for peace saying they were a peace-loving people.
“Zanu-PF youths are disciplined. We will not engage in violence as long as we are not provoked. We will respect our leader President Mugabe and our Vice Presidents’ call to refrain from violence,” said Cde Nkomo.
“We are a peaceful youth league across the country. The problem is that Western countries are sponsoring opposition parties through non-governmental organisations to cause chaos that leads to violence.
“We also condemn violence and urge Zimbabweans to shun it. Zanu-PF is the only party that can solve people’s problems and opposition parties that have nothing to offer should not cheat our people,” Cde Nkomo said.