800 Youths tour Chimoio

EIGHT hundred youths toured the Chimoio shrine in Mozambique from 08-09 August 2008 where thousands of Zimbabweans, who were brutally murdered during the liberation struggle by the colonial regime of Ian Smith, are buried.

Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation Cde Saviour Kasukuwere led the delegation on a two-day tour of Chimoio and other shrines in Mozambique.

"It is a time to remember our heroes. It is a time for the young people to pay respect to our fallen heroes in Mozambique," Cde Kasukuwere said.

Apart from Chimoio, the delegation also tour other shrines dotted around Mozambique.

He said the tour was a way of saluting the fallen heroes and the people of Zimbabwe for the sacrifices they made during the liberation struggle.

This is the second time this year that youths led by Cde Kasukuwere have visited national shrines in Mozambique to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

More than 2 000 Zimbabweans perished in raids carried out by the Rhodesian forces on November 23, 1977.

The visits are meant to conscientise youths on the history of Zimbabwe and for them to jealously guard the gains of the liberation struggle. Youths interested in partaking in future visits should get in touch with the Ministry of Youth Development through their local offices.

Zim gets top post at Pan African Youth Union congress

ZIMBABWE was elected deputy secretary general for Southern Africa at the Pan African Youth Union second ordinary congress that was jointly hosted by the governments of Angola and Congo Brazzaville early this month.

Zimbabwe Youth Council vice chairperson and World Federation of Democratic Youth first vice president Anastancia Ndhlovu, who is also the Member of the House of Assembly-elect for Shurugwi South, together with Youth Development Mr Itayi Emmanuel Muguza and Zimbabwe Youth Council director Mr Sibalengi Mahobele represented Zimbabwe.

Ms. Ndlovu said the Pan African Youth Union, which is a continental platform for youth and an instrument for the realisation of their thoughts and actions, was part of the Pan African Youth Movement formed in 1963. The continental body, she said, played a pivotal role in the liberation of the continent. She said the congress, which was attended by 29 African countries, ran under the theme, "Youth of Africa, Let’s Mobilise for Africa’s 21st Century Challenges". The congress, she said, saw Nigeria elected president of the body with five vice presidents from the west, north, central, east and southern regions of Africa.

"Angola was elected secretary general of PYU with five deputy secretaries general from five regions with Zimbabwe being voted the deputy secretary general for Southern Africa." She said young people in Africa know that the future of the continent is solidly in their hands and have roles to play in the social, political and economic sectors of the continent.

Cde Ndhlovu said PYU has a rich and wide experience because of its active participation in the struggles waged on the continent in search of a better future with youths at the forefront. "The struggle now focuses on peace, democracy, sovereignty, total independence and Africa’s sustainable development," she said.
'MEET THE YOUTH TOUR' PROGRAMME COMMENCES

The Ministry of youth development and employment creation has commenced touring outlying areas, meeting youths, holding discussions on their needs, challenges and views and proffer on the spot support in terms of monetary resources and information. Youths are also being mobilised into forming clubs, cooperatives and companies to enable them access not only loans and grants from the ministry, but also various support facilities from parastatals such as paraffin for candle, engine oil, floor polish manufacturing from NOCZIM, agricultural inputs from Grain Marketing Board and government programmes such as operation maguta and busineess loans from Banks at concessionary interest rates. Already, the Ministry team comprising two Directors and three senior officials have visited Mashonaland East province.

MASSIVE HONEY PRODUCTION PROJECT ON THE CARDS

The Ministry of Youth Development and Employment Creation is finalising a partnership with an enterprising youth group on how best the Ministry could facilitate and support the production of honey throughout the country. The Ministry manages a fund that supports such agro based projects. Pictured above is the Director, Youth Development meeting with leaders of the youth group at the Ministry Mukwati offices.