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Independence message: Happy Birthday Zimbabwe
Youth Agenda Trust
April 22, 2009

The Youth Agenda Trust joins the nation in celebrating the attainment of twenty-nine years of independence. 18 April remains an important day to us as young people as it symbolises the victory of the people's struggle against oppression, brutality, racism and colonialism. The struggle against colonialism dates back to 1893 through the commencement of the first Chimurenga in which the poorly equipped black fighters were dismally defeated by the invaders. The second Chimurenga reinvigorated the struggle with young people crossing borders into neighboring countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and other countries such as Germany and Russia where they received military training to fight against Ian Smith and his apartheid regime. More than 36 000 lives were lost with the majority being young people.

It is with this background that the Youth Agenda Trust cherishes and values the role in which young people continues to play in a post independent Zimbabwe. The post independence era has come with a lot of challenges to the young people and the nation at large. This era has been characterized by genocide, return to autocratic rule, gross human rights abuses and the wanton violation of the rule of law. The main grievances during the liberation struggle were the right to vote, land and equality. It is sad and a sham on part of the then national leadership that they have negated all these values which thousands of young Zimbabweans sacrificed their lives for. The land reform programme resulted in only a small fraction of young people accessing land mainly on partisan lines. Many young people have fled the country after being persecuted on their political beliefs and affiliations. In the run up to the last year's elections many young people were abused as both perpetrators and victims of political violence. More than two hundred people lost their lives in the process.

However it is the determination, courage and bravery that we find in the young people of this generation that draws us into joining hands with the rest of the nation in this important event. We urge youths from across Zimbabwe to uphold the values of independence by safeguarding the constitution, promotion of equality and human rights and ensuring the final transition to a democratic Zimbabwe. We call upon young people to join hands with other progressive colleagues in the call for a democratic and people driven constitution. Young people should go beyond the drafting of the constitution by seeing it to themselves that it is also respected.

Inclusive government: Mugabe lacks sincerity

The leftists in ZANU PF are at it again. The Prime Minister who for the first time joined Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF at the Independence day celebrations was reduced into a mere spectator by not being slotted to give a speech. Webster Shamhu, the Information minister could not even acknowledge the presence of the Prime minister in his vote of thanks. The majority of the 40000 attendants went home disgruntled, as their main attraction could not be afforded a platform just to greet them. The controversy around the communication department in the ICT ministry headed by Nelson Chamisa also raised a lot of debate amongst young people, most of who are inspired by this young minister.

Visit the Youth Agenda Trust fact sheet

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