More than 200 young people thronged Nkulumane Hall for the
Democracy and Human Rights Arts festival to witness various artistic
presentations under the theme “Inculcating a culture
of proactive youth participation.”
The Festival, hosted by National Youth
Development Trust (NYDT) on the 14th of October brought together young artistes from
Bulawayo and Gwanda. These included Jahunda Community arts who staged the play 1983:
the years before and after, a play focused on National Healing,
Reconciliation and Transitional Justice. Victory Siyanqoba also performed a
play entitled Time-Up, whose main
thrust, was to encourage young people to participate meaningfully in elections.
Other artistes
who scintillated audiences with informative artistic presentations included stand up comedians Ntando and Clive, Poet Mgcini Nyoni, GDA a
musical group as well as Isazi dance group. The various art
pieces were modeled in a way that depicts the aspirations of the Zimbabweans
about the current human rights and democratic mirage.
The play 1983: the years before and after was the
main attraction and was applauded by the audience who said it was a precise
depiction of what happened during Gukurahundi and proffered truth telling,
justice and reconciliation as a possible way forward for Zimbabwe to realize
integration and lasting peace.
The festival also saw
discussions by young people on youth participation in democratic processes as
well as the issues that are currently serving as hindrances to Zimbabwe’s
democratization. Young people expressed fear to participate in elections
highlighting the violence that has been the main feature in Zimbabwean elections
since 1980. They also cited the skewed nature of politics in Zimbabwe whereby
people vote but still do not see any difference made by their voting.
Of concern to the
youths was also the fact that young people are usually relegated to useless
posts when it comes to governance despite the fact that the African charter
clearly states that youths should have 30 percent representation in governance.
The importance of
voting was emphasized both in the artistic performances and during discussions
as a way of meaningful participation in governance issues. This came with
emphasis on the need to desist from politically motivated violence as the
youths who are often the drivers of that violence gain nothing from it.
The need for security
sector reform was highlighted as a key point in ensuring free youth
participation in processes that will ensure the building and sustenance of
democracy in the country. They indicated that the sector serves more as an
intimidating force than a force that ensures the protection of the rights of
Zimbabwean citizens. Instead, the youths said that the security sector needs
reorientation on human rights as they are currently the perpetrators of human
rights abuses.
The festival is one of the many ways that NYDT is
engaging youths, policy makers and other various stakeholders to foster the
upholding of democratic principles respect for human rights as well as full
participation of young people in national processes. Through edutainment, it is
expected that the apathy that most of the youths have when it comes to
participating in critical processes such as elections will be addressed. NYDT
will continue to engage youths, policy makers and other stakeholders on key
transitional processes through various means to increase youth participation in
governance and the broader democratization process in Zimbabwe. The
organisation will be holding such and other activities in different parts of
the country to enable youths to create a socio-political environment that
enables effective youth participation in democratisation processes.
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