You, African youth arise – Obama screamed

In his recent trip to Ghana, Obama sought to engage the youth of Africa by reminding them that they are the bedrock of any future success for Africa. His words in Accra rippled across the continent and spurred the idle youths to seek out opportunities and for our governments to engage youths at primary level.

I am confident that governments across Africa are working to empower the youths, yet at the same time I feel more could be done. In Zimbabwe the Government has rolled out some financial packages through the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe to offer micro-loans for youths to get started with projects. This is a welcome effort from the Ministry concerned but there needs to be some partnership and common understanding to nurture these young people to fully realise their potential and what they have embarked on.

With this new constitution being drafted, the youths have to be at the centre of it as the time has come not only for Zimbabwe, but for Africa to be seen to being proactive towards innovation and sustainability. And for this to be possible, the youths need not be marginalised.

So, in echoing President Obama's words, I too say,

"You, Zimbabwean youths together with your African peers, arise and be creative and innovative..."

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What is CIYDA
Contemporary Indigenous Youth Development Africa (CIYDA) is an non-profit organisation founded in 2008 and is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. CIYDA is working to develop and empower the youths of Zimbabwe for the benefits of the nation and Africa as a continent through the use of new media, information technology and networking amongst other things. Through these drivers, CIYDA aims to facilitate an information hub and service provision in the areas of Business Start-up, Social & Cultural Integration, Socio-economic Mentoring and Volunteering. CIYDA currently has a network connection of over 500 Zimbabwean youths in many countries amongst them, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia and Canada.