Youth advocacy group calls for peaceful polls

A YOUTH advocacy group, General Josiah Tongogara Youth Advocacy, has called on youths to heed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for peace before, during and after this year’s harmonised elections.

Speaking on the sidelines of the free law clinic, which the group hosted for the community as an Africa Day present at Delmonds Academy in Bindura recently, founder of the group, Mr Carson Kundiona said peace allowed the citizenry to exercise constitutional rights to choose leaders and provided a platform for free, fair and credible elections.

He said this was in line with this year’s African Union’s theme for Africans to re-dedicate themselves to the realisation of the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens.

“I call upon all youths in this country to heed the President’s call for peace before, during and after the harmonised elections as it provides for the citizenry to exercise their constitu- tional rights to choose leaders of their own choice and a platform for a free, fair and credible election,” he said.

“The idea is to use education as a tool to effect social change.

“My upbringing was a societal effort, as such this initiative is not a favour to the community, in fact, the people are enjoying the fruits of their labour.

“We chose to hold this programme on Africa Day as it is a symbolic answer to Mother Africa’s call.

“She needs her demographic dividend, that is the youths, to rise to the task and meaningfully shape her destiny.”

During the free law clinic, community members got free advice on legal issues that affect them daily such as divorce, maintenance and tax compliance issues.

In addition to free legal advice, the community also received in-depth lectures on the Constitution, particularly the bill of rights and the importance of citizen participation in the country’s hard won constitutional democracy brought about by the liberation struggle.