The MDC Youth Assembly joins the African community and the rest of the world in commemorating the Day of African Child.

On this day commonly referred to as June 16, we honour the heroic efforts of those that participated in the 1976 Soweto Uprising to demand their right to be taught in own language.

This year’s theme for the Day of the African
Child commemorations is: “Humanitarian
Action in Africa: Children’s Rights First”.

It is regrettable that 39 years after Zimbabwe attained independence, children’s rights are still wantonly disregarded.

Sadly the government of the day is part of the perpetrators and not the protector!

From Gukurahundi to Operation Murambatsvina, Operation Makavhoterapapi to August 01 military killings, examples are plenty whereby this monster regime’s actions adversely impacted on children’s rights.

So many children like Itai Dzamara’s are now orphans thanks to the ZANU PF regime!

What of Sylvia Maphosa’s children – that woman who was shot in the back by the military on 01 August 2018!

Not to talk of thousands who die of malnourishment, cholera and at birth due to the economic hellhole and lack of primary health care.

It is not mendacious that the failed ZANU PF government is the author-in-chief of all this rot!

The supreme law of the land, the Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees the right to basic education, but this right has not been accorded with many parents finding it difficult to pay for the education of their children.

While Zimbabwe joins the rest of world in commemorating the Day of African Child, many children have to celebrate this day in streets.

It is commendable that the MDC Youth Assembly last month spared time to celebrate Chairman Obey Sithole’s birthday with these homeless children often stigmatized as “street kids”.

As the MDC Youth Assembly, we are motivated by the heroic efforts of the gallant 1976 Soweto heroes to confront this inhuman regime for the betterment of young people and future generations.

As such we are not going to watch as the rot continue unabated!

We are the vanguard of our future and its preservation calls for action today and not tomorrow!

As the Assembly, it is our conviction that only a pro-people and young president can safeguard rights of young people and children.

And in Advocate Nelson Chamisa we have do have a rightful candidate to take this nation forward.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson