“No-one else is going to vote in the interest of young people except young people”, Mdc Alliance Namibia Youth Assembly Commander submits.

27 June 2021.

As the Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Youth Commander, Misheck Bunga, I submit that young voters notoriously neglect the importance of voting, but their voice is an important one on both sides of the entranceway to constitutional democracy. The desperate youths in Zimbabwe and the diaspora should know that key national issues in every election increasingly relate to the concerns of students and professionals between the ages of 18 and 35, making it essential for members within that age group to educate themselves on political issues and take to the polls. The youths constitute nearly 50% of the entire voter population that is why it is important to vote , especially if you fall within a crucial age group.

I would like to share some of the reasons why it is fundamental for the youths to cast their vote. My first submission, is that the youth vote has the potential to be extremely influential in Zimbabwe. It is very crucial for the youths to get direct influence on the issues that might affect their livelihoods for years to come, including college and university fees, which are hiked everyday by the insensitive Zanupf regime and the sickening high levels of unemployment. The other important reason is that while youths make up a large population, they are much less likely than those who are older to get out and vote. In recent successive general elections , majority of young voters didn’t cast their votes , a sorry situation that we are committed to change under the able-leadership of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Moreover, many young people cite feeling as though their vote does not count as their reason for not participating in elections. Youths should know that every vote counts , especially those from the largest voting group with the appetite and energy to defend the vote when rigged. I see the young generation with such potential of effecting political change but they don’t exercise the right to vote as they often should. I suggest that the voting age should be lowered in an effort to promote earlier voting among teenagers and young adults. Building a relationship with the political process as early as possible is key to making voting a lifelong habit. I want to encourage the youths to be a historically repeat voter so that they become less likely to skip a trip to the polls in the future.

Furthermore, young people are hit hard by the economic decay. College arrears and lack of employment which is now at more than 95% are the most painful blows to the financial future of many young voters. It has been discovered that the situation won’t be changed by sitting idle while others make major political decisions. The dilapidated health system is more detrimental or dangerous to the young voting generation. Young people who are scattered in the diaspora seeking better social services should inspire to achieve socio-economic transformation by reflecting support for candidates whom they feel best represent their needs. I add that no one is going to vote in the interest of young people except young people.

Moreso, the divisive nature of partisan politics at play in the country and well among young voters must be resisted with equal measure. This was evidenced by the illegal re-establishment of the Zanupf terror group named National Youth Service(Border Gezi) which helped the regime to kill and intimidate human rights defenders ,journalists and opposition activists since year 2002. Today the 27 June is a rude reminder to the high levels torture and state-sponsored deaths of Mdc leaders like Joshua Bakacheza, Tonderai Ndira ,.Talent Mabika and many more thousands. May the dear souls of the butchered social democrats rest in power.The young voters are expected to be the first age group with the ability to challenge the incompetent and corrupt Zanupf cabal. I urge the youths to replace looters and thugs with an alternative progressive political party which represents a diverse population through more inclusive agenda hence the need to embrace #CitizensConvergenceForChange.

Zimbabwean youths should also consider that they may not care now, but they might in five or more years. They may feel that choosing a president or councillor is not something that affects their life right now. They might not yet be struggling with issues like college debt or finding a full-time job. What the young generation must know is that adulthood brings many new challenges like college , marriage ,buying a house , paying their own health insurance , starting a business, all of which could radically change their perspective on political issues. We recently saw the clueless regime demolishing people’s houses and their marketing stalls without giving them any alternative. The unemployed youths are victims to this artificial mess created by Zanupf dictators.

To conclude, here are the helpful tips to win Zimbabwe for complete change:1) Check to see if you are registered to vote in 2023.2)Register to vote/confirm or change registration regardless of your geographical location.3) Avoid voter apathy and ensure early voting.

FreeCdeMako

YouthVoteIsVeryImportant

FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

JusticeToLastMaengahama

JusticeToTungamiraiMadzokere

HandsOfJusticeEricaNdewere

MalabaMustGo

StopDestroyingPeople’sSourcesOfLivelihoods

WeWillNeverForget27JuneTerror

ZanupfMustGo

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Youth Commander
Misheck Bunga