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Chiredzi Town brought to a standstill
Youth Forum
August 22, 2011

The generally sleeping sugarcane-farming town of Chiredzi was brought to a standstill as youths from the area gathered at Tshovani Stadium to celebrate the International Youth Day on Saturday 20 August 2011. The celebrations were organized and hosted by the Youth Forum and was also graced by the Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenization and Empowerment, Honorable Tongai Matutu.

The event, which was billed to start at 0900 am, was delayed after Tshovani Police barred the entrance to the stadium and turned away hundreds of attendants after instructions from certain high offices. It was baffling how the same police who had cleared the event had suddenly turned around and started saying the event was not plausible. The police were claiming that the event could not go on at a day that a national hero (Ret. Gen. S. Mujuru) was being laid to rest, something the youths dismissed as they were also going to celebrate the life of the hero through discussions and observing a moment of silence. The event finally took off after protracted negotiations between the Youth Forum leadership and the police.

The more than one thousand youths and other dignitaries who thronged the stadium also stood up and observed a minute of silence in honor of the late National Hero Retired General Solomon Mujuru who died in an inferno on Tuesday and was being laid to rest on the same day of the celebrations. He was described by the youths as a true hero who sacrificed a lot for the nation.

The keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Minister Hon. T. Matutu who promised the youths that the National Youth Fund that was unveiled by the Government of Zimbabwe will be availed to youths on a non-partisan basis, and asked the youths to bring forward their business proposal to his offices and access the fund. He also lamented the HIV/AIDS scourge that has besieged the nation especially the youths and encouraged the youths to abstain or use protection as the pandemic has become the worst brain drain in the country.

The Chiredzi Town Council, through its Chairman, also informed the youths that they had land reserved for projects and those youths who need the land can approach the Council with their proposals. Mr. Shoko of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) also spoke on the current constitution-making process and the views of the NCA to such a process and the way forward. He highlighted that it's unfathomable for politicians to try and make the country's supreme law which they will then use to govern the country; the process should be left to society leaders like civil society to write the law. Many speakers from other organizations also gave solidarity messages and thanked the Youth Forum for coming to Chiredzi with such an initiative.

The Youth Forum also distributed literature that encouraged the youths to go and register as voter. The literature included posters, flyers as well as T-Shirts. The literature was also welcomed by the youths who said it was designed in a way that was very informative and easy to understand and the youths said they would follow the instructions on how to register and take the initiative to go and register. The literature also defines key definitions like 'proof of residence' and 'proof of identity'. The youths of Chiredzi that were present also promised to work hand in hand with the Youth Forum in convincing other youths to register and vote in all coming elections.

There was also lots of entertainment with various local groups performing at the event to the liking of many. First on the stage was a group of four young men who called themselves The Swagg Team who mesmerized the crowd with their moves. Tshovani primary School also performed a number of pieces in music, dance and drum majorettes and there were also poets, other dancers, music amongst others.

The event was welcomed by the locals who pleaded with the Youth Forum to make it an annual event and educate the local youths. "This was a very special day for the Tshovani community as it allowed us to interact with ministers and councilors and with youths from other political parties without violence, you guys (Youth Forum) should come here more often and teach us how to co-exists with youths of other political affiliations and teach us more on youth issues" Said one Taurai Magora from Tshovani.

The Youth Forum National Coordinator gave the vote of thanks and thanked all for attending and sharing their stories and promised to bring more attention to the government on the needs of Chiredzi youths.

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