Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda on Monday launched the Parliamentary Youth Caucus and challenged young people to emulate veterans of the liberation struggllle that sacrificed their lives as youths for the country’s independence.
The PYC is chaired by Zanu PF’s proportional representative for Mashonaland East Cde Tatenda Mavetera.
It aims advocate for youth development, empowerment, participation, and representation across all spheres of life in the country.
“They carried the mantle for the liberation of this country. There was no parliament and therefore there was no PYC to talk about.
“They were the parliament in making, they were the leaders of the present then and of the future. They took up the struggle and when you analyse that period you must then ask yourselves, what virtues did they have to take that mantle of the liberation. They exercised visionary leadership as young people, they could see Zimbabwe coming in their lifetime, they had the courage of conviction, they were brave young men and women. Those are the attributes you must have if you are to succeed even now as the youths of today” he said.
Advocate Mudenda despite the numerous challenges, they did not give up the fight for a free Zimbabwe
“They took up arms because they had the courage of conviction, they were visionary because they were prepared to take up self-sacrifice, they were even prepared to die,” Advocate Mudenda said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Cde Mavetera said the PYC would harness the youth demographic through lobbying for legislation to enhance youth participation as well as the promotion of the formal exchange of ideas.
“As a Caucus, its members will be able to push for the fulfilment of Section 20 of the Constitution through exchange programs with other Parliamentary Youth Caucuses.
“The Caucus will strengthen youth empowerment and participation programs. It will help Members of Parliament to come up with constituency development programs, youth inclusion in the economy such as mining, agriculture and tourism. The Parliamentary Youth Caucus will work closely with the Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation; and the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development to monitor and evaluate Government programmes and policies on the youths,” Cde Mavetera said.
