Young people who
participated in a cleanup campaign organized by the Platform for Youth
Development were challenged to take up leadership and defend their parents and
in particular natural resources found in their local communities
While addressing the
initial group of young people who kick started the cleanup campaign at the PYD
offices at Checheche Growth Point, the PYD Director, Claris Madhuku pleaded
with young people to be patriotic and identify with natural resources found in
their local communities.
“When the voice of the
young people is organized beyond petty political divides it will become strong
enough for the government to listen,” said Madhuku.
The PYD Director
encouraged the young people to be organized and raise their voice under the
platform provided by PYD to act and make things happen
Jack Zaba, Programmes
Manager at Election Resource Centre (ERC) implored the youths to be assertive.
Giving him solidarity speech during the colorful road show, Zaba encouraged
youths to demand accountability and transparency from their elected leadership.
He explained that it
was the electorate who has more power and influence than elected leaders.
“Leaders are elected by
the people, therefore the same elected leaders cannot be bigger than the people
who elected them,” said Zaba.
While acknowledging the
reality that some elected leaders are too powerful and want to behave like bus
conductors who are in charge in their constituencies, Jack Zaba provoked young
people to get skills that allow themselves to prevail over such situations.
‘Young people can only
be powerful if they are resourceful and continuously look for new information
that protects the vulnerable and weak members of the community” said Zaba.
Terence Maoneke, the
Youth Secretary for the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) condemned
economic violence. His message was aimed at the government of Zimbabwe to
improve on its human rights record and drafting economic policies meant to
provide better opportunities to young people.
“The failure by
government to work diligently to implement ZIMASSET has exposed young people to
partisanship where they have become agents of grand corruption,” said Maoneke.
He applauded the young
people in Chisumbanje and Chinyamukwakwa for making use of PYD created
platforms to resist economic manipulation before challenging young people to be
politically active and demand accountability from their government.
Unathi Kewuti of the
International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) challenged the youth to take up
community leadership by being responsible citizens who promote peace.
“If young people demand
peace in their collective diversity, the world leaders will be compelled to
commit their energy to development and progress as opposed to organized
violence against opposition,” noted Kewuti.
He took advantage of
the occasion to launch a petition to be signed by young people as a show of
commitment to international law on the cessation of war
The cleanup campaign
and road show organized by the Platform for Youth Development made very strong
statements against all forms of violence that have social, economic and
political consequences. The objective of the cleanup was to raise consciousness
on the young people to be responsible citizens with ability to co-exist with their environment. Key messaging was the defense of
natural resources and condemnation of violence.
Inserted
by the PYD Information Department
For
more details contact the PYD Director on +263 773010 331 or
PYD Board Chair on +263 772 896 458
