By Correspondent
Former Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni says the 2023 elections are an opportunity for the youth to create a country they need.
Manyenyeni said the rest of the country are just accessories but for the youths it’s a defining plebiscite.
“The 2023 elections are particularly for those who have individual needs which require national-level solutions.
“Those of us who have already worked, have a house, a car, or have finished paying school fees etc etc are just supplementary voters.
“We are just accesories to the real owners of the elections – the youths.
“We, the old, are only voting to support your needs, your desires and your future,” he said.
Manyenyeni added that youths need a functioning country more than the older generation.
Manyenyeni warned youths that, “this is not the time for Zimbabwean youths to seek success, joy and performance on a UK soccer team.”
Jobless Youth Bulge
However, this group has continued to bear the brunt of social, economic, and political exclusion and vulnerability.
An Afrobarometer survey has revealed that only slightly more than half of 18- to 35-year-olds say they will probably or definitely vote.
Ringisai Chikohomero, a researcher at the Institute of Security Studies, said: “I think there is a poor understanding of how unemployment will translate to voting.
The gloomy results in relation to the youth vote is bad news for the opposition CCC as it has been banking on their frustration to win the heated contest.