via We want Jobs: Youths demand. MDC-T Newsletter 16 June 2014
Hundreds of MDC youth in Harare today gathered in the Harare Gardens to commemorate the Day of the African Child under the theme “Demanding Accessible, Affordable, Quality Education, Jobs and Equal opportunities for all.”
The arrest of Harare province youth assembly executive member, Denford Ngadziore, and the heavy police presence did not deter the youths, who marched peacefully from Town House to the Harare Gardens. Charges against Ngadziore are still unclear; the MDC youths remained unfazed by the blatant attempt by the police to intimidate them.
The youths marched quietly with their placards held high and spoke about the need for the Zanu PF government to provide them with jobs as it promised the youth during the election campaign.
Speaking at the commemorations, the National Youth Assembly Spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo, highlighted the need for the illegitimate government to step down as it had failed to deliver. “Those youngsters who were massacred in Saouth Africa where young like us. They rose to show they wanted their rights to be respected. So today, we are rising as youth to demand our jobs, to demand our rights. We are doing this for posterity. We are fighting this struggle for economic justice, for jobs, for the respect of the people’s rights and for the benefit of next generation to benefit,” said Hlatwyayo.
He added that the solution to the current national crisis was for the people to take action. “We have problems with getting jobs, we must take action. If Mugabe is our problem, we must take action. If the police trouble us, the solution is action,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, the MDC Shadow Minister for Labour, Hon Paurina Mpariwa, bemoaned the failure by Zanu PF to honour its constitutional obligation of providing jobs to the people. “A Job is a right. As parents, as leaders, it pains us to see so much unemployment in the nation especially for the youth. Our industries are down, people are losing jobs everyday. This kind of situation can not be allowed to go on, especially when certain people claim to be at the helm. Zimbabwe is ready for change. The youth ashould get the jobs, “ she said.
Adding to the cries for jobs, Youth Assembly national Secretary for Security and Defence, James Chidhakwa said the Day of the African Child is significant to Zimbabwean Youth as it is a demonstration of courage. He said the youth had a role to take the destiny of Zimbabwe to another level.
“We have lost a lot of cadres along the way. We lost Tonderai Ndira, Joshua Bakacheza, Kauzani and many others at the hands of Zanu PF. They died demanding their rights to be respected. This day we continue to demand our jobs. You made promises, we demand those promised 2,2 million jobs.
“Too much fear brings misery to our land. Let us be bold and demand what is rightfully ours, “ said Chidhakwa.
The Harare Province Youth Chairperson, Shakespeare Mukoyi weighed in saying the youth of Harare were no longer afraid of the brutality of Zanu PF. He said the youth were prepared to die for their jobs and their rights to be honoured.
“This illegitimate government cannot and will not silence us. They must go because they were not mandated by the people. They promised 2.2 million jobs during their campaign, but they have ensured the same number of people have lost their jobs since they stole the election. They should have written 2.2 million job losses in their manifesto,” he said.
The Harare Provincial Women’s chairperson, Ronia Bunjira said mothers where pained to see their children, university graduates, suffering and selling juice cards for a living. “The reason as mothers we came out to commemorate this day with you is because you are suffering and struggling to get jobs. This hurts the women more. We work hard to get you to school and it pains us to watch you sell DVDs and airtime vouchers. We demand that this government steps down and allow those who can govern to take over, “ she said.
The Harare Province Chairperson, Hon. Eric Murai said it is painful that there are no jobs in the nation. “It is improper for an elderly person to refuse to step down from a job because they will be denying the next generation an opportunity to work as well. “
Similar commemorations were held in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza provinces over the weekend.
COMMENTS
If you really want jobs then take to the street barricades do mob justice and emulate soweto 1976. Are you men or mice ? I fear suspect the cowardly latter. Keep dreaming zanupf or MDC can provide jobs. Be real
You can say a job is a right, you can even write it in the constitution. This is meaningless. Employers are not obliged to employ useless malcontents.
wel done boys and girls lets put more pressure
Being from a by gone era when it was nearly dead cert that one got a job by at least age 21 without so much as setting a foot outside Zimbabwe I do feel for the youth who have not enjoyed that previledge.
But I fail to understand the mentality of some youths whose sole purpose is to pick up sticks and stones and defend fat selfish ,greedy , corrupt politicians beating up people who raise their voices to demand better.
I want the best for the youths especially because I too have children.
Maybe more people should take to the streets
Rise up Zimbabwe for a better tomorow.
its building, more and more people are waking up to the fact that zanu now can not go unchallenged…
The best bet in the present situation is to trade in whatever goods you can find, and re-invest as much of the profits as you can. That way one builds up a small business.
If there are no jobs, it is pointless to march around demanding them. And if the Constitution promises jobs, then those who drafted it are idiots with no understanding of economics.
It is Zanu pf through its manifesto that promised jobs. The youth are demanding those jobs. Its that hard to understand. Let zanu deliver on its election promises. They promised; let them deliver.
Pres Mugabe has a job to make sure no one else does. why would anyone want to invest in a country with no airline no currency no law and order. if u want job u will have to get rid of the snake first