Youths must emulate President’s dedication
AS Zimbabwe commemorated the National Youth Day last week, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere issued a call to action for Zimbabwean youths to emulate the dedication and sacrifice exhibited by President Mnangagwa, both before and after the country’s independence.
The National Youth Day serves as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of young people to the nation’s development and advocates their continued and enhanced participation.
This year’s theme, “Positioning Youth Empowerment and Development Towards Achieving Vision 2030”, underscored the critical role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s future.
Minister Muswere said emulating pioneering liberation luminaries such as the President, who have dedicated their entire lives to working for the country, will guarantee Zimbabwe’s prosperity.
He also emphasised the Second Republic’s strong belief in the youth’s role in achieving Vision 2030, underlining the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and enhanced participation in developing the country.
Youths, added the minister, must commit themselves to hard and honest work to ensure success.
“Through hard and honest work, we can ensure Zimbabwe’s development for posterity,” he said.
“I call on the youths to emulate our President, His Excellency Dr Mnangagwa, in working for the development of the country.
“Throughout his life, from the days he was a young man, the President has exhibited true patriotism and love for his nation and our youths must also emulate that.”
Young people must be at the centre of the fight against the illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by the West and must deploy all necessary tools in the fight against the illegal embargo, he added.
Vision 2030 can only be achieved through the participation of a dedicated and committed youth cadreship in the national development matrix, he said.
Vision 2030 is a national development plan that outlines the country’s ambition to become an empowered upper middle-income society by the year 2030.
This ambitious plan is aimed at elevating the living standards of all citizens and achieve a prosperous and sustainable future for the nation.
It is premised on key pillars of industrialisation, infrastructure development, social development, entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as good governance.
Minister Muswere encouraged Zimbabwe’s young people to embrace a sense of responsibility and dedication towards their country’s development.
By harnessing their potential and actively contributing to national efforts, the younger generation can become instrumental in achieving Vision 2030 and ensuring a brighter future for Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa has a long history of participation in national development initiatives.
In 1962, he joined the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), one of the early liberation movements in the then Rhodesia.
In 1963, he was sent to China and Egypt, where he received military training, before returning to Southern Rhodesia to fight for independence.
In 1965, he was arrested and convicted of blowing up a train near Masvingo. He spent the next 10 years in prison.
He lost hearing in one ear as a result of being tortured in prison.
After being released from prison, the President moved swiftly up the ranks of what was now ZANU and in 1977, he was appointed head of both the civil and military wings of the organisation.
After independence, he continued to serve the country in senior Government positions until his assumption of the Presidency in 2017.
Since then, he has worked tirelessly to foster accelerated development of the country.
His administration has also focused its energies on empowering young people to take up a leading role in developing the country.