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New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
Minister
urges youth to safeguard their destiny
Youth Agenda Trust
February 26, 2013
Deputy Minister
of Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development Senator
Morgan Komichi on Saturday warned Youth Agenda Trust members and
youth from various political parties to be wary of the whims and
caprices of some unruly politicians who are bent on manipulating
the youth for selfish political gains.
Speaking at
an Electoral Rights Indaba held in Harare, Senator Komichi called
on the youth to fully participate in the forthcoming
referendum and national elections to ensure that they do not
leave anything to chance as some politicians thrive on the reluctance
of young people to participate in national processes.
“There
are some politicians who are saying vote 'yes’ to the
constitution during the day but saying 'no’ during the
night. As the youth, you should be able to distinguish between progressive
politicians and retrogressive forces. You must be prepared,”
Komichi said.
Komichi also
reiterated the call for youth to register to vote and leave a mark
in this year’s polls.
The Indaba which
was facilitated by Jack Zaba from the Electoral
Resource Centre (ERC) drew participants from Chitungwiza where
they were taught how to effectively participate in the electoral
process.
Zaba took the
participants through the electoral cycle and the opportunities that
are presented by the Electoral
Amendment Act and the glimmer of hope that is also posed by
the envisaged new constitution.
Zaba also challenged
the youth through facts and figures of the 2008
elections which showed that very few youth participated in the
process and called them to register in numbers and shame their critics.
In his closing
remarks, YAT board secretary Simbarashe Moyo told the youth to brace
for tougher times ahead, judging from previous elections, but said
the maximum participation of youth in important national processes
is the panacea to the country’s socio-political and economic
problems.
The Electoral
Rights Indabas which have so far been held in 6 provinces are platforms
for youth from different political parties to engage with one another
and chart a common trajectory as the country prepares for the constitutional
referendum and harmonized elections. The next Indaba will be held
in Harare this week.
Visit the Youth
Agenda Trust fact
sheet
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