‘Address Youth Grievances or Face Unrest!’: Swaziland Youth Leaders Call for Regional Solidarity Against Oppressive Regimes

Sakhile Nxumalo, President of the Swaziland Youth Congress, yesterday called for the youth in Africa to unite in solidarity to address the struggles and challenges caused by oppressive regimes.

Speaking in a dialogue hosted by the Living Together Institute (LTI), in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), Nxumalo highlighted the critical role of youth solidarity in the fight for democracy across the region.

“Since April 12, 1973, my country has been an absolute monarchy where political parties are banned, making us the only country in the SADC region without them,” Nxumalo stated, highlighting Swaziland’s dire political situation.

Nxumalo drew parallels between the struggles in Swaziland and the challenges faced by Zimbabwean youth, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to overcome oppressive regimes.

“The problems that the people of Zimbabwe are facing today are similar to what is happening across the region. We need a broader outlook and solidarity in terms of assisting each other,” he urged.

The dialogue, which ran under the theme “Building Inclusive Democracy: Strengthening Youth Participation and Solidarity in Zimbabwe,” brought together young voices from different backgrounds as they discussed strategies for enhancing youth engagement in democratic processes.

Valentine Chepkoech, a youth leader from Kenya and advocate for the Global Partnerships for Education, echoed Nxumalo’s sentiments, highlighting the awakening of Kenyan youths leading the fight against unjust policies.

“If we don’t listen to the concerns of young people in Africa, it is a ticking time bomb,” Chepkoech warned, urging governments to address youth grievances to prevent further unrest.

The dialogue covered key areas such as civic education, the role of technology and social media, policy and institutional support, and the political challenges faced by young people in the region.

(Pictured)ZINASU’s International Relations Secretary, Passable Maremudze

ZINASU’s International Relations Secretary, Passable Maremudze, also speaking at the meeting, stressed the importance of civic education in developing informed and active citizens.

“Civic education is essential for youths to understand the provisions of the Zimbabwean constitution, and we need programs and initiatives that promote community building to foster inclusive democracy,” Maremudze remarked.

She further highlighted the historical role of youth in leading revolutionary movements, calling for continued efforts to educate and empower young people.

Youth activist Pashor Raphael Sibanda, who was also a speaker at the event, commended the Zimbabwean youths for their high participation in the 2023 elections.

He emphasized that young people, including those involved in democratic movements led by figures like Morgan Tsvangirai and Chamisa, played a significant role in post-independence Zimbabwean politics. Noting that while youth participation in voting and leadership roles in parliament has been increasing, it has been doing so at a slower rate.

(Pictured) Youth Activist Pashor Raphael Sibanda

“We should not forget that the people who brought independence to this country were young people, and we still need to politically educate them if we are to continue this trend,” Sibanda said, emphasizing the ongoing importance of political education for youth to sustain this historical trend.

Community Engagement Officer for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association and Digital Media Specialist Yeukai Geza, speaking on leveraging technology and social media for democratic engagements, highlighted the pivotal role of technology and social media in driving democratic participation.

“Social media plays a crucial role in democracy, but we must also address the risks of misinformation and repressive legislations such as the Data Protection Act,” Geza cautioned.

(Pictured) Yeukai Geza

She advocated for digital literacy programs to equip young people with the skills to navigate the digital landscape effectively and use it for democratic processes.

With one of the major challenges being youth participation, policy analyst Ngobizitha Mulambo called for policy amendments to facilitate greater youth participation.

“The existing electoral act needs amendments to allow diaspora voting and ensure meaningful participation of young people in budgeting processes,” Mulambo proposed.

He stressed the need for institutional reforms to create an enabling environment for youth engagement in democratic processes.

The dialogue concluded with a strong call for youth solidarity and participation in democratic processes.

As Nxumalo aptly put it, “As the youths, we can only achieve the luxurious lifestyles we desire if we live in an environment that is politically clean.”