Movement for Democratic Change-National Youth Assembly

statement on the commemoration of the Day of the African Child-16 June 2009

Reflecting on the plight of the African Child in Zimbabwe

By Brighton Chiwola

Fellow citizens, fellow Zimbabwean youth and children, June 16 is upon us once again. It is that time of the year when we commemorate the day of the African Child. That time of the year when our brothers and sisters in South Africa mark their national Youth Day. This day was not born out of joy. It is a day which which was born out of anguish, pain, suffering.

On 16 June 1976, in the old township of Soweto it was no joy, but more sadness and suffering. Deodorants were not sprayed, but bullets were sprayed, there were no pools of water, but pools of blood were everywhere. Rivers did not flow, but tears did. The African Child of that day could not chew anymore of the unjust and criminal rule of the now defunct apartheid regime in South Arica. And in droves they took to the streets to say “Enough is enough!”

Today, as Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating the day of the African Child, let us reflect on the plight of the African Child in Zimbabwe. Let us take some time to listen to our youth. We the youth of Zimbabwe are in agony today. Our cries are loud and clear. We have been robbed! We have been robbed of our chance to be the beacon of hope for our great nation. Our dreams are shattered, our hopes are faint. Our lives have been amased with the oils of poverty, HIV/AIDS, crime, immorality, unemployment, and oppression. We have been forced to migrate across the world, and face societies which despise us, hate us and harm us, away from our beloved home, our true heritage. The icon which leads to basic education, tertiary education and medical care replies, “Access Denied” on every attempt to click on it.

That is our cry today. We may also take to the streets like what those hundreds of youths did 33 years ago. It was a show of spectecular courage inspired by the desire to acquire freedom, but we are also cautious of our approaches, as we know our institutions very well. They resemble no difference to that inhumane force which unleashed terror on an innocent young citizenry, in a bid to silence cries of democracy, the same cries behind our pleas in Zimbabwe today.

To this new infant government in our country today, there is our plea for help. An academically empowered youth with intellectual prowess is a crucial ingedient to the recipe for baking the true Zimbabwean brand. That is what we have always been known for. That is what we will always yearn to be known for. Help us help ourselves. We have so much potential hidden behind all these socio-economic ills which have become part of our daily lives. Accademically, we can still produce more rocket scientists like Arthur Mutambara, on the soccer field we have the potential to usher dozens of Peter Ndlovus, and more Benjans.  Oh yes we have the capacity to usher in more national flag bearers like Kirsty Coventry, Andy Flower and Byron Black. We strive to be like Strive Masiyiwa and Nigel Chanakira. Hear the plight of the African Child in Zimbabwe. A cry for a better Zimbabwe. Yes we can!!

Brighton Chiwola is the National Youth Secretary for Information and Publicity in the MDC Party.