By Shamiso Ndangana
Youth Forum Zimbabwe director Ashton Bumhira says he is concerned that the future looks uncertain for youth in 2021 in the country.
He said unemployment and the effects of COVID-19 regulations could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for youths.
Youths are the majority in Zimbabwe, in terms of population and also constitute the majority of the unemployed.
This has seen some of them turning to vending and other ventures to earn a living.
In an interview, with OpenParly on its Twitter-Chat, Bumhira said youths lost their livelihood due to lockdown.
“Over 90% of youth are unemployed and survived on vending which was restricted under lockdown. The youths lost their livelihood.
“It is true, the youth are vulnerable. They are jobless and poor,” he added.
According to the Youth Forum Zimbabwe director, the lack of opportunities might prove fatal for youths especially those in high-density suburbs who are now ignoring COVID-19 safety rules in search of survival.
“Wearing masks and sanitizing, social distancing is proving difficult in high-density areas as we are trying to hustle for food.
“The youths in the rural areas are not spared, there is a need to invest more in resources to uplift those youth in rural Areas.
“…the majority of young people are jobless and at the moment there is no hope for youths in 2021. The only hope will come after serious transformational changes in our government processes including politics and economic reforms. There is a need for dialogue,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his 2018 election manifesto promised to create jobs for the youths in Zimbabwe.
However, almost three years after the election, nothing seems to be progressing on that front.
This has resulted in a high crime rate in the country, drug and substance abuse.
Some youths have even crossed the dreaded Limpopo River into South Africa to find work. Get more Covid-19 Stats from CovidZW.info
Ashton Bumhira: The Future looks uncertain for young people
