By A Correspondent
In a nation teetering on the brink of collapse, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s latest public statements about his administration’s supposed achievements ring hollow, masking the grim reality of a country grappling with widespread corruption, human rights violations, and the ongoing looting of national resources.
As the Zimbabwean government continues to project a false narrative of prosperity and empowerment, the lives of ordinary citizens are steeped in suffering, insecurity, and disillusionment.
On the occasion of the 2025 National Youth Day celebrations, Mnangagwa once again touted his administration’s commitment to empowering Zimbabwe’s youth, positioning them in key decision-making roles. However, beneath this surface-level rhetoric lies a more troubling reality. Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, the political climate has become increasingly authoritarian, with dissent crushed through state-sanctioned violence and intimidation. The president’s claims of promoting young leaders in key government positions are overshadowed by a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition members who dare to speak out.
While Mnangagwa continues to emphasize the importance of “youth participation” in national governance, he conveniently ignores the fact that many of these same young people are being subjected to violent repression at the hands of government forces. Reports of unlawful detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings have become all too common, as the regime seeks to stifle any opposition to its increasingly tyrannical rule.
Moreover, the so-called “Second Republic” is also infamous for its failure to address the rampant corruption that has infected every level of government. Far from empowering the youth, Mnangagwa’s administration has allowed a culture of impunity to flourish, with high-ranking officials and their cronies looting state resources with abandon. Whether it’s through the illegal exploitation of the country’s vast mineral wealth or siphoning off international aid meant to alleviate poverty, the looting continues unchecked, enriching the elites while the majority of Zimbabweans languish in poverty.
The president’s hollow promises to create a “digital skills development programme” in partnership with the United Arab Emirates do little to address the systemic issues of governance and corruption. While it is true that youth empowerment is essential, Mnangagwa’s words ring empty in a nation where the very institutions that should support development are being pillaged by those in power. The idea that this programme will somehow transform Zimbabwe’s young people into a new generation of skilled professionals seems more like a well-crafted distraction from the real issues at hand: human rights abuses, an economy in freefall, and a growing disillusionment among citizens.
Mnangagwa’s address also touched on the fight against drug and substance abuse, but once again, his focus on “flushing out drug lords” misses the larger picture of a government that has systematically destroyed its own institutions. While drug abuse is a significant issue, it is deeply connected to the country’s economic crisis, lack of opportunity, and the broader social malaise created by a corrupt and negligent government. The president’s failure to address the root causes of these issues – such as the erosion of trust in government and the systematic dismantling of public services – shows his detachment from the struggles faced by everyday Zimbabweans.
Ultimately, the National Youth Day celebrations, with their superficial focus on youth empowerment and development, serve only as a smokescreen for the deeper political crisis plaguing Zimbabwe. The youth may be used as pawns in Mnangagwa’s political game, but they are not truly being empowered. Instead, they are being betrayed by a government that continues to violate their human rights, endorse rampant corruption, and destroy the very future it claims to build. Zimbabwe needs more than empty promises and hollow rhetoric; it needs real change, accountability, and a restoration of its dignity.