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CHRA calls for the suspension of the National Youths Training Program
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
April 20, 2010

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is in solidarity with the civic youth formations and other progressive forces, state and non state institutions in the campaign against the reintroduction of a militarized National Youth Training Program (National Service). The program in history has produced youths, most of whom were used by some political bigwigs to unleash violence on innocent citizens and advance political agendas of selfish politicians.

CHRA has been conducting public meetings on youths and local governance reform in different parts of the country and the youths have raised concerns on the National Youth Programme saying that the programme first came as an annexure to Zanu PF's agenda of clinging on to power given that the impact of opposition politics in the country were being felt in every part of the country. The Program was heavily militarized and most of the youths were used in ZANU PF's violent campaigns for the elections. It is suspicious that there are calls for the re-introduction of a National Youth Training Programme at a time when the country is still in a transitional period. It is also known that Zanu PF has been on the overdrive of advancing the election agenda regardless of the non completion of the constitution making process and simultaneously calling for the restoration of the National Youth Training Program without prior consultation with youth organizations. History has it on record that the Youth Training Centers have been used to train youths to be Zanu PF sycophants and in turn campaign for the Party especially in the marginalized rural areas.

In that respect, the Association feels that the country is not ready to reintroduce the program unless it is totally reformed in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. The problem that has surrounded this Program is that the Minister of youths, Mr. Saviour Kasukuwere, is on the record of having said that he is not going to take any input or recommendations from the civil society given that "the civil society would like to compromise the spirit and letter of the G.P.A". However it is quite unsettling that Saviour Kasukuwere would want to acknowledge the spirit of the G.P.A but refuses to subscribe to the very salient tenets of democracy, paramount of which is the consultation of the masses in the formulation of policies that directly affect them. In light of the former, we believe in the common civic saying which says "nothing for us without us!"

According to article 15.1(a) of the G.P.A, we believe that the eligibility to participate in the National Youth Training program should be made voluntary. This Program should be introduced in such a way that youths have got to volunteer during their spare time or weekends to participate in these programs and not necessarily create base camps as is the norm in Zimbabwe of operating in (Military) bases.

According to the Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment, the country has received close to 80 000 youth graduates from this Program between 2001 and 2007. In light of the former, it seriously fearsome to re-engage in a program that has adversely affected this nation and still cannot be accounted for in terms of its gains. With that in mind it is imperative for the government to temporarily postpone the program giving space for reforms to be done and also allowing the constitution making process and the forthcoming elections to pass then introduce the reformed program.

CHRA is ready to be part of a shared national vision that is characterized by full participation of residents, which is transparent and accountable to the generality of the Zimbabwean citizenry. CHRA will not be part of a one man band whose desire is to thwart the voices of young people by using them to advance a political agenda that does not benefit youths but rather the octogenarian leadership which does not recall its youthful days!

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