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Columbus Mabika and Vongai Chinjeke

Zanu PF proportional representative for Seke-Chikomba Constituency, Cde Tatenda Mavetera, who was last month voted as the first vice president of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) Young People and Caucus, yesterday called for more youth emancipation saying they were the future of the country.

At PAP, Cde Mavetera replaces Cde Barbra Rwodzi, who was recently appointed Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Speaking after arriving at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport from Midrand, South Africa, where she was last week sworn-in as a member of the PAP, Cde Mavetera said: “For us it was really a great experience as the young people of Zimbabwe that now I am the second-in-charge especially of youth in Africa. It is a very big step towards the universal development of our country. This will make sure that issues affecting young people are addressed.

“Young people emancipation and empowerment should now be the centre of all discussions for the continent to grow and develop. Against this we would like to thank His Excellency, President Mnangagwa for the stance he has taken on young people emancipation. More young people, especially women, should now dominate all spheres.”

Cde Mavetera said her swearing in into PAP was a clear testimony that Zimbabwe was on the correct track towards engaging and re-engaging other countries, which were now gaining confidence in the Second Republic.

“It was quite a great experience and I am so happy and it shows that the African continent has got confidence in Zimbabwe and it also shows that the efforts done by His Excellency, Dr E.D. Mnangangwa towards the re-engagement drive has also activated African countries to believe in Zimbabwe and also to understand that Zimbabwe is doing well especially in times of making sure that we go well in engaging with all other countries,” she said.

Despite the good efforts to empower young people, she said the number of young people in PAP was still disappointing.

“We need to understand that the Pan African Parliament is the legislative body of the continent and what it then does is, when it comes to legislation, it is actually done in the right direction when it comes to inclusion of making sure youth issues are put in place,” she said.

“What was quite disappointing is the numbers of young people that are in Pan African Parliament. So we are going to work for more seats to be given to the young.”

Cde Mavetera, who is also a member of the Speaker’s pool in the National Assembly, thanked President Mnangagwa for affording youths opportunities to assume leadership positions in various sectors.

Chiefs Council president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, was elected as PAP president, the first time that a person from Southern Africa has held the post.