Harare, (New Ziana) – The country’s second largest city, Bulawayo, will host this year’s Youth Day celebrations next week on Friday, a cabinet minister has said.
The commemorations were first held in 1986 to celebrate former President Robert Mugabe’s birthday as one of the country’s founding leaders, before morphing into the Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day after his death in 2019.
Briefing the media at the end of the first Cabinet meeting this year, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet had considered and approved a report on the preparations for the 21st February commemorations.
The report was made by the acting chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments, Engineer Daniel Garwe.
The festivities will be held at Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo from February 20 to 21 in line with the thrust of the Second Republic to hold national events on a rotational basis among provinces.
“As a National Holiday, duly proclaimed and gazetted, the event will provide a platform for young people to interact with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, showcase youth talents, businesses and contributions to national development, raise awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, and to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth development initiatives, programmes and projects,” Dr Muswere said.
It will run under the theme “Empower Youth, Secure the Future”, and is expected to attract about 20 000 youths from the country’s nine provinces, with the rest of the youths in all the provinces following proceedings in real time at designated vocational training centres and institutions of higher learning.
Foreign visitors, including ministers and youth council representatives from selected African countries, will be expected to attend the event.
“The pre-celebration events on 20th February 2025 will attract an estimated total of 5 000 youths drawn from schools and institutions of higher and tertiary education within Bulawayo Metropolitan province and the adjoining provinces,” said Dr Muswere.
“Highlights of the day will include a sporting and cultural fiesta, youth exhibitions, a clean-up campaign programme, a community outreach programme on drug and substance abuse and the inimitable Ixhiba/ Nhanga/ Gota expose by the First Lady, Amai Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.” He said logistical preparations are already underway with 250 buses earmarked for equitable distribution to the country’s provinces.
An additional 15 shuttle buses will be available to all constituencies in the Bulawayo Metropolitan province to ensure a successful 20th February 2025 programme.
New Ziana
