BY NOTHANDO DUBE
Lack of recreational facilities and an information gap are some of the major things hindering young people in Hwange from taking up leadership roles, local activists have said.
The activists made the observations during a recent meeting in Hwange that was organised by the Youth Initiative with the theme; ‘Security Tomorrow Through Enhanced Youth Participation in Local Decision Process and the Development Agenda.
Tinashe Matika, the Youth Initiative lead coordinator, bemoaned the under-representation of youths in the district’s leadership structures.
“We observed that there is a huge information gap towards the development of Hwange youth,” Matika said.
“A number of key areas of concern were pointed out during the meeting and what stood out is the lack of information on local governance processes as well as lack of recreational spaces for youths.”
His sentiments were echoed by Hwange’s ward eight councillor Theresa Mutara, who encouraged young people to take up leadership roles.
“Shape your tomorrow today, such that tomorrow you are going to enjoy it,” Mutara said.
“Take part in all consultative meetings, especially the budget making processes.
” Do not let old people decide your future, you should participate.”
Mutara challenged the youths to keep abreast with the fast changing digital world by researching widely.
”I am here to challenge you, if you are told that there is a meeting and you are given an agenda, just do a bit of some research, you will be guided by that,” she said.
Other speakers who shared on corporate social responsibility, environment and community enterprise among other roles, challenged the government to introduce some laws that would make it compulsory for companies to plough back to communities by empowering youths.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from various government ministries.