Statement by the National Youth Development Trust on the Day of the African child

The National Youth Development Trust Joins the world in commemorating the day of the African child. This year’s commemorations are held under the theme: Eliminating Harmful social and cultural practices affecting children: Our collective responsibility. This theme realises that since time immemorial, Children the world over, and African children in particular have been subjected to a number of social and cultural practices that have caused them physical and psychological harm while the perpetrators of such have been allowed to get away with it. However, without necessarily divorcing from the common theme for the year 2013, the NYDT wishes to focus on the historical significance of June 16 to African children.


  

This Day was first celebrated on June 16, 1991, to honour those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976. On that day, about ten thousand black school children took to the streets protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, and more than a hundred people were killed in protests that followed the killing of these students while more than a thousand others were injured.

As such, as we commemorate June 16 this year, there is a need to reflect on whether young people have been afforded the democratic spaces and quality education the Soweto students died for in 1976. In Zimbabwe a number of young people continue to be denied access to their rights such as freedom of expression by laws such as the Public order and Security Act (POSA). Their right to express themselves through the ballot has also been stifled by a number of factors such as the technical and structural challenges in the voter registration process, stringent voter registration requirements and the denationalisation of some youths who are regarded as aliens.

This year as Zimbabwe joins the rest of Africa in celebrating the Day of the African child at a time when it is preparing itself for an election. During such a time it is important to reflect on whether the prevailing socio-political environment is conducive for free and fair polls. A lot of questions have been raised on whether Zimbabwe is ready for elections if it is failing to assist young people who are ready and willing to register as voters. A number of young people continue to be disenfranchised by the restrictive voter registration requirements such as proof of residence. Acquiring such documentation has proved to be a difficult, tedious and discouraging process to young people, who mainly either live with their parents in rented homes or require such documentation from their parents or landlords. Other young people are still battling with issues of citizenship, being asked to go through a long process before being granted Zimbabwean citizenship regardless of the fact that the new Zimbabwean Constitution recognises them as citizens.  Given the short voter registration period before the next election, a number of young people still being viewed as aliens may not have the time to register and vote this year.  

All these issues have affected the ability of Young Zimbabweans to freely express themselves and enjoy democratic spaces in their country. It is therefore the recommendation of the NYDT that every stakeholder reflects on the historical significance of the Day of the African Child and for the government to work towards attaining what the Soweto students died for. As such, Democratic spaces need to expand, and the rights to freedom of expression be respected if June 16 is to remain as relevant and important to African children as it should be.