“Community action projects key in peace building”-Matopo youths

Young people have identified lack of capital, access to recreational facilities, jobs and other opportunities as some of the issues that make them susceptible to engaging in violent activities.

They said that after finishing O’level, youths have to choose between going to look for jobs in South Africa or drink alcohol, take other drugs, socialize with friends and just wait for whatever opportunity that comes. This, they said is making them vulnerable to criminal behavior. The youths highlighted these issues at a peace dialogue meeting convened by National Youth Development Trust at Silozwane Secondary School in Matopo

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The youths emphasized the need for well-wishers to help them with the capital to initiate projects such as poultry, woodwork, horticulture and welding that would capacitate them economically and contribute to the development of their community. They also called on NYDT to continue providing them with platforms to participate in nation building processes by establishing a Youth council in their area as it has done in Bulawayo and Lupane.  

As a way of mobilizing more youths to attend such crucial platforms that NYDT provides, as well as entertaining the youths, young people suggested that the organisation hold sporting activities.

“We need a sports tournament here that will bring us all together and create a sense of unity and community ownership while also creating a platform where we can dialogue about national issues. We need knowledge on how we can bring our leaders to account and also contribute meaningfully to public policy formulation,” said an eloquent participant.

NYDT programs Officer who gave the organizational background at the meeting, highlighted NYDT’s plans to carry out such and other activities in different areas as a means of conscientising youth on how to achieve lasting peace in Zimbabwe.

Also emerging at the meeting was an outcry over the lack of skills in using computers that were donated to Silozwane Secondary School. These were said to be lying idle at the school while midyear exams were being typed and printed in Bulawayo.

Youths and other groups like war veterans have been used by politicians to fan politically motivated violence during elections and other key national events like the constitution making process and public hearings on various legislative and public policy issues. The Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Indigenization has successively failed to professionalize its operations in distributing the youth fund and developing youths; it has remained partisan.  Peace dialogue meetings are part of NYDT activities aimed at encouraging young people to foster sustainable peace and development in their respective communities and ultimately in Zimbabwe. The organisation is also encouraging youths to register to vote and to effectively participate in the ongoing constitution making process.