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Activity update
National Youth Development Trust
October 22, 2013

Bulawayo

Constitutional Feedback Meetings: The National Youth Development Trust held two (2) constitutional feedback meetings in Makokoba (Wards 7 and 8) as well as Sizinda (Ward 21). The two meetings were chaired by the local youth councillors and facilitated by Godwin Phiri of Intscha.com. The facilitator took the youths through the constitution making process as a way of putting them into perspective before delving into the actual contents of the Constitution.

Key issues discussed in the meeting included the lack of harmony between provisions in the new constitution and other laws and practices of various institutions. It was indicated that some provisions in the constitution are yet to benefit Zimbabweans because no mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that they become effective. An example given was that of the right to education that is guaranteed in the constitution yet school going children and students are chased away from school for failure to pay school fees. The rights to freedom of association and assembly were also said to be compromised by the provisions in the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the way it is being implemented by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

Young people also highlighted that some government offices remain inaccessible to young people because they are poorly advertised. The Public protector’s office was said to be one of them as most youth in the meeting indicated that they had no idea about its existence. Additionally, the young people showed little understanding on the different roles of the various courts and hence the facilitator took time to explain these to them. The general concern amongst young people was that the country’s laws were not being explained to the general populace and as such were only known and understood by lawyers, activists and a few professionals only.

The move to bring the constitutional feedback meetings to the communities by the NYDT was therefore commended. It was said to be a crucial step towards bridging the information gap that exists between the elite and ordinary Zimbabweans.

Political Parties Forum: The NYDT conducted a forum for political parties in Bulawayo to deliberate on the theme, “Setting The Youth Agenda: Priorities For The New Zimbabwe Government”. The meeting was held on Friday October 18, 2013 at Nkulumane Hall. Representatives from Zanu-PF, MDC-T, Zapu led the discussion which was moderated by Lifaqane Nare, a local journalist.

Key issues that emerged from the meeting were that the Zanu-PF representative said he expected the government to derive its programmes from the party manifesto of 2013 as it clearly outlined priorities for young people. As such, employment creation, availability of funds for youth empowerment projects, as well as issues of housing were said to be critical areas of priority for young people. He however, emphasised the need for young people to coordinate themselves properly if they are to benefit from the various government projects.

Zapu on the other hand emphasised that the government is led by Zanu-PF but it is not for the party’s members only but for every Zimbabwean. He said he expected the government to be guided by values of respect for human rights, diversity, transparency and accountability. On the other hand, the MDC-T added the need to re-industrialise Bulawayo as the closure of the industries contributed significantly to high unemployment. Food security and access to affordable healthcare were also highlighted as key priorities.

The forum is one of many ways used by the NYDT to bring together young people from various political backgrounds to deliberate on key youth issues without being partisan. This is expected to help create unity of purpose while encouraging peaceful coexistence of youths from diverse political ideologies.

Young Women’s Study Circle: The National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) held a Young Women’s Study Circle on the 18th of October 2013 in Bulawayo. The objective of the study circle was to allow young women to deliberate on key issues of importance while creating awareness around breast cancer during the breast cancer awareness month. The meeting was also to help dispel the perception that cancer is caused by witchcraft which has been the cause of death of many people who could have otherwise been treated of the disease.

The unique study circle was facilitated by Mrs Praxedis Nago, a survivor of breast cancer and volunteer with the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe. She took time to define breast cancer as most young women were not aware of the disease. She advised the young women to immediately seek doctor’s attention if they find a lump on any part of their bodies as they could be cancerous. Mrs Nago outlined the different stages of cancer and the different forms of treatment available. She encouraged the young women to persevere through treatment no matter how painful it may be as it was the only way to treating the disease.

As a way forward she called on NYDT to avail more opportunities for young women to interact with her association so as to create awareness around breast cancer especially amongst young women. She distributed pamphlets to young women and encouraged them to share with other people in their respective wards.

Clean Up Campaign: The National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) in partnership with Bulawayo City Council (BCC), Green Pride and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe held a clean-up campaign in the Bulawayo Central Business District. The clean up was part of the Bulawayo Youth Council’s (BYC) community initiatives. The objective of the clean up was to commemorate International Environment Day which is a day that is set aside to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to enhance political attention and action.

The Mayor of Bulawayo Martin K. Moyo addressed the young people before the clean up commenced. He reflected on the importance of keeping the city of Bulawayo clean in order to uphold its status as the cleanest city in Zimbabwe. He encouraged young people to carry out more initiatives like this in order to inculcate a culture of cleanliness in the city.

During the clean up, there was a realization that posters were making the city dirty and as such it was recommended that the city reverts to its bylaws where citizens were supposed to seek permission to stick posters around the city. Additionally, it was recommended that those responsible for putting up posters should take them down as a way of ensuring that the city was in a constant state of cleanliness. The youth councillors managed to pick up cans and plastic bottles, which they have been collecting, for their recycling project which seeks to raise funds for their various developmental projects.

It was recommended that NYDT should put up branded bins around the city as a way of advocating for a clean Bulawayo. More community projects are expected to be implemented by the Bulawayo Youth Council, an initiative of the NYDT.

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