The Sunday Mail
Precious Masakara
Zimbabwe is set to celebrate National Youth day Friday at designated youth interact centres.
The day was declared a public holiday in 2017.
Speaking at a Press conference, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry, said: “The day which falls on 21 February every year was set aside by Government in 2017 in order to celebrate the contribution of young people to the political and socio-economic development of the nation dating back to the liberation struggle.
“It is thus incumbent upon the youth of today to emulate these gallant fighters by working hard for the common good of the nation and continue to safeguard Zimbabwe’s sovereignty,” she added.
Minister Coventry urged the youth to reflect on good leadership qualities and that they should follow these.
“The day is also an opportune moment for young people to reflect on the leadership qualities that they need to emulate,” she said.
“It is a time for young people to peacefully engage each other and commit to the ever increasing demand for their participation in leadership and national development processes and in particular, join Government efforts to turn around the economic fortunes of our country in line with Vision 2030 development agenda.”
The day also coincides with former president Robert Mugabe’s birthday and it will be the first time the holiday is being celebrated without him as he passed on in September last year. He was 95.
The former president is one of the leaders that helped bring independence, of which Zimbabwe will be celebrating the 40th anniversary.
Minister Coventry said the National Youth Day is a day for Government to share with youths the achievements of the New Dispensation.
“For Government, it is a day to share with youths the successes and future programmes of the New Dispensation,” she said.
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation joins His Excellency, the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the young people of our country on the occasion of celebrating the National Youth Day,” she said.
