Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
A LEADING youth organisation, Zimbabwe Youth, Environment and Culture (ZIYEC) is mobilising young people countrywide to become the vanguard of environmental protection and cultural preservation, aligning their efforts with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the national thrust on sustainable skills development.
Speaking ahead of World Endangered Species Day, ZIYEC chairperson Mr Norman Dendere said they aim to instil environmental consciousness and cultural pride among Zimbabwe’s youth, while addressing pressing social issues like drug abuse, early child marriages, and unemployment.
“We have noted with concern the widening gap in environmental knowledge across generations, which has contributed to the degradation of ecosystems and the endangerment of species like the black rhino, pangolin and wild dogs,” said Mr Dendere.
“As young people, we cannot sit back. We must be the custodians of our heritage and natural resources.”
Through its community-focused approach, ZIYEC is empowering young people with life skills, creative platforms, and environmental education.
A key part of this effort is the upcoming music and arts project “Sounds of ZIYEC”, which combined music, poetry, visual arts and drama to deliver conservation messages in a captivating and culturally relevant manner.
The first single, “Mhuka Dzesango”, is set to be released on Endangered Species Day today, while the full album will drop on World Environment Day June 5, 2025.
“We are using creative arts to raise awareness and ignite a passion for conservation. It is not just about music, it is about building a culture of responsibility and innovation that feeds into Vision 2030,” Mr Dendere said.
The initiative also responds to growing concerns over poaching and habitat destruction. Just this week, a black rhino was killed by poachers at Imire Game Park, an incident that ZIYEC condemned strongly.
“This is not an isolated incident. Poaching continues to plague our national parks, especially across Mahama and other regions,” Mr Dendere said.
“We are calling on law enforcement, civic society and communities to unite. Youth must be empowered to form anti-poaching teams and take an active role in protecting our wildlife.”
ZIYEC also commended the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa for her unwavering support and advocacy as the Patron of the Environment.
“We applaud the First Lady for her leadership and commitment to environmental preservation. Her efforts are a beacon of hope, and we are proud to walk in that path, amplifying her message at grassroots level,” Mr Dendere said.
As Zimbabwe moves toward Vision 2030, ZIYEC’s work serves as a reminder that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the active change agents of today-bringing fresh energy, cultural pride, and sustainable innovation to the country’s environmental agenda.
