AS Zambian youths commemorated Youth Day under the theme ‘Unity and Innovation for Smart Zambia,’ we would like to underline why this day is important to our youth and the beloved country.
Realising that our nation’s progress rests squarely on the shoulders of the young people and the future should be placed in their hands, this day is significant to take stork and remind them of their responsibilities.
It is a befitting and timely theme this year calling for unity and innovation for a smart Zambia because our youth are the most productive and largest demographic grouping. As pointed out, we should not shy from demanding from them to take up the challenge of uplifting our wellbeing by coming up with smart solutions to our common problems.
Our country of late has witnessed some divisive elements, especially at the height of last years’ election campaigns that polarise the youth along political lines and dare to say even on tribal lines. There are civil society organisations that have been urging the young people to boycott commemorating their day because of the economic hardships experienced by the youth.
If the young people want to get out the economic melee they need to pull their resources and come together, what better platform than the Youth Day to start from. The theme calls for that kind of unity from the young people because let’s face it, the youth individually do not have the same access to capital in comparison to the old folks.
So our appeal to the youth is, do not let the doom sayers discourage you but fight to access the tools that will enable you accelerate developing the lives of the people of this country by coming up with smart ideas using the modern technologies available to ordinary Zambians.
Do not be used as a tool for political violence by politicians who are serving their own selfish ambitions. Stay away from drug abuse and reduce on alcohol consumption. These vices have contributed to cutting short young lives and sending many to jail.
Instead, the young people should be the catalyst of the change they want to see in this country. They should endeavor to study and acquire enough knowledge to lead the country in the positive direction through smart innovation.
A smart Zambia using modern technology will cut on wastage and corruption as things will get done in minimal time and pilfering will reduce. The fact that smart technologies cut on physical contact and leaves a trail entails that corrupt individuals will be deterred from the vice saving us resources.
By innovating, young people will be able to create employment for their fellow youths because as evident; the Government cannot absorb all the young people in terms of creating employment opportunities.
It is also an opportunity for the leaders to hear the concerns of the young people. Do not ignore their cries no drawn their voices by stereotyping them as troublesome. Policy makers should deliberately put the necessary tools in the hands of the youth in order to give them the needed leverage to start small businesses.
It is no use sending them to colleges and universities to learn skills if their skills will not be put to good use. It is a wastage of the national resources as some of these youths are educated on Government scholarships or bursaries.
In the famous words of the former American president Barack Obama: “To the young people, don’t get cynical. You need to stay encouraged. Don’t ever think you can’t make a difference.”