In 2018, the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) produced a 13-page Youth
Manifesto that sought to determine the involvement and engagement of young people in civic
participation. The manifesto, whose lifespan is 5 years, from 2018 to 2023 also portrays youth
views on local and national development initiative, pledge total support and commitment to all
youth-friendly development initiatives at local, provincial and national level, support youth to
advocate for their concerns and issues in local and provincial development processes, and
facilitate a safe space for youth voice in development and decision making processes through a
collective manner.
With the 5-year cycle of the current government towards its conclusion, it was time for the
organization to review the issues captured in the Youth Manifesto so as to point out what has
been achieved and the work that still needs to be done.
Some of the key issues demanded by the Manifesto include among other things; the need for
better health services, youth inclusion in civic spaces, the inclusion and involvement of local
youth in the mining industry and the need for good service delivery by local governments.
The Youth Manifesto highlighted the need for improved and better health services realizing that
youths who are aged between 18 to 35 years especially young girls and people with disabilities
face sexual reproductive health challenges more than any social group.
The document also demanded that the current government, at provincial level, should set up a
transparent system that allows the public to know all the contracts and agreements made between
government and different investors on natural resources operating in Matabeleland South taking
into consideration that the province Matabeleland South is endowed with plenty of natural
resources such as gold and asbestos diamond and coal.
The Manifesto demanded that a policy that guides and directs international investors operating
within the province to employ local young women and men, and establish large and mid-level
industries for value addition on natural resources products be put in place, and for the provincial
council to ensure that local youth are given mining claims so that they legalize their operation
hence promote productive youth work.
Another key issue captured in the Manifesto was the issue of good governance and
accountability. The Manifesto highlighted that there was need for the prevention of corruption in
all governance levels as well as the need to empower youths to effectively and meaningfully
participate in their local governance issues through a devolved system of governance and also
hold their leaders to account.
Five years after the publication of the Manifesto and upon reviewing the many issues captured in
the Manifesto, CYDT concluded that many of the stated issues have not been met. Matabeleland
South youth remain marginalized and without any opportunities as most of the opportunities are
given to outsiders.
Health services remain a key challenge with many young women forced to walk miles to reach
nearby health facilities so they can access their Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.
By-elections held last year showed that the participation of young people as candidates remains
marginally low. As a result, all the issues captured in the 2018 Youth Manifesto are being carried
forward, that is to say, the incoming government in the post 2023 elections will be required to
fulfill the issues that are captured in the CYDT`s 2018 Youth Manifesto.
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