Youth are pillars of Zimbabwe’s future — President

Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau

Government will continue listening to views coming from Junior Parliament because the platform informs national development priorities and programmes consistent with the Second Republic’s policy of leaving no one and no place behind, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

He said this while delivering a keynote address during the official opening of the 33rd Junior Parliament Session and the commemoration of the day of the African Child at the New Parliament building in Mount Hampden.

“I applaud the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Education for the leadership and guidance it continues to provide to you, our young people, and the Junior Parliament in particular. My Government expects the recommendations of the Comprehensive Evaluation of the Junior Parliament Programme, towards strengthening the overall impact of the Programme.

“Don’t be shy to say what you think and point where you feel we are failing. This forum must not be reduced to a mere talk show, but the output of the Junior Parliament must inform our national development priorities as well as programmes and projects,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said his administration will continue to prioritise children’s rights, notwithstanding where they come from.
“Government is commitment to prioritise the rights and needs of our children, no matter where they live. Through our transformational and inclusive developmental policies, we are leaving no child and no place behind.

“Since the advent of the Second Republic, there are evident results of the efforts we are making towards strengthening the protection, empowerment and development of children and young people,” said President Mnangagwa.

“An increased number of children now have access to the Basic Education Assistance Module. To date, over 1,5 million vulnerable children have access to quality education through this facility. With regards to food and nutrition security for our children, the National School Feeding Programme was scaled up, particularly in districts which are prone to droughts. These initiatives are resulting in improved school attendance and learner performance.”

He said the progress Government was registering was speeding up the attainment of the country’s aspirations as envisaged by the Constitution and economic blue prints.

“The Child Protection, Disability and Youth Policies, is aiding in safeguarding and mainstreaming matters relating to disability and youth development, respectively. Under my Administration, children’s dignity, safety, and potential are being promoted and protected. This principle is embedded across our national development policies,” said President Mnangagwa.

“In advancing this cause, I commend all stakeholders for their unity of purpose, collective planning, budgeting, and focussed implementation of programmes and projects. The progress we are witnessing is indeed accelerating the realisation of our aspirations as outlined in our national Constitution, the National Development Strategy, and Vision 2030.”

He said the launch of the Junior Parliament Alumni Network is a development worth celebrating.
He urged the platform not only to be a think tank but to also ensure nurtured leadership in Parliament so that it remains a voice in national discussions about young people.

“The rollout of the National Youth and Adolescent Protection and Safeguarding Policy guarantees that young people’s engagement is grounded in dignity and inclusion. This Policy provides mechanisms and empowers institutions to act responsibly in protecting our youth.

‘Technical and vocational skills are critically important in our quest to realise our national vision. I urge you, our young people, to take full advantage of the opportunities that my Government is offering, as we improve the quality of our living standards,” he said.

“As Government we continue to strengthen, expand and equip Vocational Training Centres across the country. At these centres, young Zimbabweans learn diverse trades, from agriculture and engineering, to ICT and hospitality, among others, that directly feed into our economy. By broadening vocational training, youth are empowered to become entrepreneurs, with the capabilities of creating companies and industries, while at the same time facilitating wealth creation as well as employment opportunities. This supports our goal of fostering an industrialised, modern and knowledge-based economy.”

Under the country’s Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Strategy, he said, the Government launched a Digital Skills Development Programme, targeting 1.5 million young Zimbabweans with the programme focussing on basic ICT literacy, coding, software use, content creation, e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship.

“As the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to unfold, I expect that the capacitation and development of skill to harness opportunities availed by Artificial Intelligence, among our young people, will be prioritised and scaled up. Our young boys and girls must be well prepared for the jobs of the future. In light of this imperative, the need to transform our Vocational Training Centres into digital learning spaces and re-purpose underutilised facilities, such as post-offices, into community innovation hubs, cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

He commended the national youth service as a source national values, unity and peace.
“In light of this philosophy, you, our young people must never shy away from deploying your unique talents and creativity to impact your education institutions, communities and the country as a whole. As our Junior Parliamentarians, the concerns, insights and highlights you have shared with us in this august house, are most welcome. You have indeed demonstrated that you represent the hopes and aspirations of the many millions of children and young people in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Under this democratic initiative, you are entrusted not only to speak but to lead. I urge you to be champions of child protection, especially for the vulnerable among you. You must be the voices of peace, unity, and innovation. Reject peer pressure, drug and substance abuse, as well as violence. Shun all other social ills, as these undermine the prospects of a brighter and prosperous future. You, the children and youth of our country are part of our nation and a critical pillar that defines Zimbabwe’s development trajectory long after 2030. Therefore, your debates must be bold, your ideas practical, and your conduct honourable.”

He said the Government will continue to provide resources to ensure that no child is left behind.
“We are a listening Administration and recommit to plan and budget with all of society in mind. We shall also continue to act boldly on your development concerns, ensuring that no child, and no place, is left behind. As the young people of our great nation, I urge you to conduct yourselves responsibly. Always love and defend our country and listen to the wise counsel of your parents, guardians, teachers and elders in the communities. You can never be wiser than your parents,” he said.

The event was attended by the two Vice-Presidents, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Cde Kembo Mohadi, Cabinet Ministers, development partners, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, academics and senior Government officials.

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