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Zimbabwean youths campaign against election violence
Stephen T.Matenga
March 03, 2008

Mrewa - In all previous elections in Zimbabwe, politicians and political parties have used the youths as political fodders and condoms mobilizing and paying them to perpetrate violence against political opponents. This time the youths have said 'no' to such political abuse by embarking on a national campaign dubbed, "Youth Against Violence."

"Our position is clear. We condemn the butchering of human life. There is no justification for loss of humanity. Hunger for political power or office does not justify violation of human rights. We cannot have this anymore. Full stop," said Ernest July, Projects Coordinator of Achieve Your Goal Trust (AYGT), a national youth NGO spear-heading the campaign.

July who explained that his organization has no political affiliation argued, "whether one is an MDC or Zanu (PF) supporter, political violence is an affront to not only to societal development but also to the individual involved or affected. Lives have been lost, people have been injured and some crippled permanently as a result of this undemocratic practice called violence. We don't want another Kenya. Some young people who could be working for the betterment of their families and country are languishing in prison for committing offenses such as murder, rape, serious assaults, etc. there is no reason why a person forced to decide which party to vote for through victimization, intimidation, threats or physical elimination. Parties must be free to campaign and people should be free to choose without sacrificing human life."

Speaking to journalists during a youth against violence campaign at Mrewa Cultural Centre, July said young people were lured into committing violence by the love for quick money, drugs, desperation and frustration emanating from unemployment and poverty, the love for regalia such as t-shirts, caps as well as negative peer pressure among other causes.

The Youth against Violence campaign has already been taken to most parts of the country with overwhelming response in Chiredzi and at Juru Growth Point. AYGT has partnered Yambiro Theatre Group that features TV personalities Kapfupi, Babalazi and Ma-rubber all of the famous Street Theatre TV series making the campaign both educative and entertaining. The campaign enjoys the support of social leaders, the police, and politicians from all parties, adults and religious leaders who all share the same values of non-violent elections as a key democratic element.

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