Tinashe Nekati
HARARE’S newly-elected junior parliamentarians have been challenged to use technology responsibly while taking a leading role in combating drug abuse among young people.
The call was made by the minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Charles Tavengwa, during the official presentation of the Junior Parliamentarians and Junior President at Girls High School in Harare on Thursday.
The event, organised by the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) under the ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, also saw the handover of digital tablets to the junior legislators to enhance their research, communication and digital literacy skills.
Tavengwa said the tablets should not merely be viewed as technological devices, but as tools to empower young people to participate meaningfully in leadership, governance and the digital economy.
“These tablets are tools for learning, research, innovation, leadership and participation in the digital economy. Their distribution supports the development priorities of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and His Excellency (President Emmerson Mnangagwa)’s aspiration of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
He urged the junior parliamentarians to use the devices to research national issues, communicate with the young people they represent and contribute constructively to the Junior Parliament programme.
“Honourable junior parliamentarians, these tablets come with responsibility. Use them to research, learn, understand national issues, communicate with those you represent and strengthen your contributions to Junior Parliament,” Tavengwa said.
He stressed that leadership required discipline and integrity both online and offline, particularly as young people increasingly rely on digital platforms for information and communication.
Tavengwa said Zimbabwe’s development agenda required young people who could harness emerging technologies to generate knowledge and develop solutions to challenges facing communities.
“Artificial intelligence, automation and digital connectivity are transforming education, agriculture, health, business and many other sectors. Zimbabwe therefore needs young people who will not simply consume technology, but use it to generate knowledge, create solutions and contribute towards national development,” he said.
The minister also challenged the junior parliamentarians to become ambassadors in the fight against drug and substance abuse, which continues to threaten the well-being and future of young people.
“As leaders, we must equally confront drug and substance abuse, which threatens the potential and future of young people. Drugs destroy health, education, families and dreams,” he said.
Tavengwa urged the young leaders to use their positions and digital platforms to promote positive choices among their peers and raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
The presentation of the junior parliamentarians comes as the government continues to promote youth participation in national governance, leadership development and digital inclusion.
The initiative provides young people with an opportunity to develop leadership skills, engage with issues affecting their communities and gain practical experience in democratic processes.
Tavengwa said digital transformation, innovation, science and technology remained critical enablers of national development, adding that the initiative complemented government efforts to equip young people with relevant digital skills.
Junior Parliamentarian Nyasha Korekore of Royal College in Dzivaresekwa has urged fellow junior parliamentarians to take good care of the digital gadgets they received and make proper use of them to enhance their performance in office.
“We are receiving these gadgets with great honour and thank Honourable Tavengwa for this initiative,” Korekore said.
“These tablets are meant to assist us with our research during our term of office. Therefore, we need to use them wisely and responsibly,” she added.
The programme is also aligned with national development priorities focusing on youth empowerment, digital transformation, education and the creation of opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.