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MDC Youth Assembly commemorates June 16
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
June 16, 2012

Thousands of MDC youths gathered at various centers today to commemorate the day of the African Child under the theme: "The rights of children with disabilities: The duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfill."

In Harare, the commemorations were held at the Harare Gardens amidst a strict police warning to have less than three hundred young people in the gardens. However, the youth of Harare today spoke against such guided freedom with over a thousand youth turning up for the show.

Hon Nelson Chamisa, the MDC National Organising Secretary who was the guest speaker said he was proud that the youth remembered to honour and commemorate the day of the African child. He said the youth were the vanguards of any struggle in the country.

"The liberation struggle was started and begun by the youth but hijacked by the old ones. They did their duty to liberalise the people, now is our time to democratize our country," hon. Chamisa said to wild applause from the vibrant youth who turned up at Harare Gardens.

The youth, who sang freedom songs and marched in line with their songs, showed they are adamant to see real change in Zimbabwe and a new beginning.

"When we formed this Party in 1999, we did not form it to fight the army or the police, we formed it to replace Zanu PF and to reform this country. Soldiers, police officers, CIOs and security agents in general should take their place, because we are not changing the number plate, we are not going to change the rear view mirror of the vehicle, we are changing the engine.

"We are celebrating this year under the theme of protecting, respecting, promoting and fulfilling the rights of children with disabilities. But in Zimbabwe, we have categories of disabilities - by natural means and inflicted by Zanu PF," he said.

Since the formation of the MDC, many people have been maimed, disfigured and murdered in the cause of democratizing the country. Hon Chamisa said the journey has been treacherous, where MDC members have passed away while others have been incarcerated, injured and scarred.

"We can not have no go areas in a free and democratic country. A human being seeks life, freedom and joy and that's what the MDC was formed to ensure. We know that we have lost the likes of Chiminya, Tonderai Ndira, Learnmore Jongwe, Bakacheza, Chokururama, Machiridza along the way. These and hundreds if not thousands others are not with us this day due to political violence. So June 16 is not just a commemoration of what happened in South Africa, but a commemoration of what happened in this country in June," he said.

"Youth should lead starting now because great leaders are born from leading as young people as we grow in wisdom. We need to have a strong and energetic leadership to avoid the kind of recession we are experiencing now," Hon Chamisa said.

Hon Chamisa added that MDC policies do not support plunder and self-enriching of a few people with positions of authority.

"We have a New Zimbabwe blue print which will spell out how each industry will be recapitalised to ensure that every Zimbabwean benefits off the country's resources. Children should go to school, youth should be able to get jobs, women should play their economic role and the people should have access to real, affordable and available health facilities.

At the commemorations, the Youth Assembly Vice Chairperson, Cost Machingauta said the youth should continue oiling the fight for democracy.

"The youth should bring change to the country, because the coming of change is determined by the youth. We want to ensure that Youth take up leadership positions now so that their energy and vibe is felt in the transition of this country," said Mr. Machingauta.

"It is our rights as children and youth to have an education, but that right has been attacked by a ruthless regime, that has destroyed the efforts of the youth in the society. That is what we want to end as soon as possible. Our leader, Solomon Madzore is in prison, placed there by Zanu PF, but that will not stop the wind of change from sweeping across the country," he said.

The commemorations were organised by the Harare Province Youth Assembly.

The Harare Province Youth Chairperson, Shakespeare Mukoyi, said the youth should exhibit their energy in order to get democracy in the country.

"Our stay in this country is painful. Since 2000, the people of Zimbabwe have always voted for MDC and President Tsvangirai, but the tyrant and dictatorship has refused this people's victory each time, and this has to stop. The next elections will be watershed ones and we will not accept another stolen election. We are fighting together to the end," Mukoyi beckoned.

In Bulawayo, about a thousand youth attended the same programme, which were held at Stanley Square in Makokoba.

Hon Mwonzora, the MDC Spokesperson said the youth should register to vote if Zimbabweans and the MDC are to claim an outright election victory.

"You should all register to vote because the future of this country is going to be determined by the participation of the youth. The likes of Tongogara participated in the liberation struggle at young ages. He died at the age of forty. This is our trial. This is what we will be judged with. Did we bring democracy during the reign of a Zanu PF dictatorship?" Hon Mwonzora said, challenging the youth to take up their position to fight for real change.
He said the people spoke on the need for devolution in the country.

"Devolution of power is necessary in the country. Bulawayo spoke strongly on this desire so that each region is able to develop sound policies that address their plight without interference, or diversion for other projects regarded as priority of the central government when the people of that region feel the suspended issue is their major priority. We need the youth to support their views in the constitution," he said.

The constitution making process has been stalled by Zanu PF's insistence on seeing 225 new issues that were not raised by the people during the outreach, included in the constitution.

Promise Mkwananzi, the National Youth Assembly Secretary General urged the youth to register so that they vote out Mugabe and his Zanu PF party.

In Chitungwiza, the commemorations were postponed twice after the police withdrew their approval letters citing various reasons.

The commemorations were meant to take place last weekend, but cancelled by the police and failed to take off today again after the police refused to approve. However, the Chitungwiza Youth Assembly said they were given a go ahead to hold these commemorations next week.

Mashoko Matonhodze, the Provincial Youth Chairperson for Chitungwiza said he hopes the event will be allowed to go ahead next week.

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