Youth in Politics Hosts Anti-Drug Tournament in Kadoma

By Admire Chitsungo

Kadoma- Thousands of young people thronged Kadoma Showgrounds for a vibrant Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Football and Netball Tournament hosted by Mashonaland West Youth in Politics and Governance, despite the sweltering heat.

Speaker after speaker took to the stage, condemning the scourge of drugs and calling for tougher penalties on drug peddlers, whom they described as destroyers of future generations.

Youth in Politics and Governance national chairperson, Cde Vivian Maponga, who graced the event, said the initiative was in line with President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (a country is built by its own people).

“We are here to fight drug and substance abuse among our youth. This is why we have brought together football and netball teams from across Kadoma and provided them with full kits. More programmes are lined up to keep young people away from drugs, and we are working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to spread awareness in schools,” said Cde Maponga.

Deputy District Development Coordinator, Mr Jabson Muringani,addressing the gathering at the tournament, urged young people to desist from drugs and assured them that government and stakeholders were committed to ending the scourge.

“The future of this country lies in the hands of its youth. You must stay away from drugs and focus on building your lives. As government, we will not rest until this problem is eradicated. But this fight cannot be won by government alone ,we need parents, churches, traditional leaders, schools, and communities to unite and protect our children from drugs,” said Mr. Muringani.

Mashonaland West provincial chairperson for Youth in Politics and Governance, Cde Kudakwashe Mutete, said the gathering was a bold step in raising awareness on the dangers of substance abuse.

“We urge our leaders to help us fight this pandemic because we are losing an entire generation. We know the bases of drug peddlers, yet they walk scot-free. We need action to stop this menace,” he stressed.

Representing Pastors4ED, Apostle Nyamupinga called on the church to be more proactive.

“Instead of just writing names of drug dealers in suggestion boxes as ZRP suggested, let us confront this sin head-on. Just one drug dealer in a street can destroy a whole generation of youths. As churches, we must unite in this fight,” he said.

The devastating impact of drugs was laid bare by Cde Agatha Musarurwa from the Widows of Liberation War Heroes, who shared a personal testimony.

“One of my sons is in desperate need of rehabilitation, he usually spends more days unconscious due to drug abuse. Families are losing property and dignity because of this scourge. We are grateful to Youth in Politics for this awareness campaign,” she said.

Also addressing the gathering, Tatenda Phiri, Kadoma district chairperson of Boyz Dzamdhara, a ZANU PF affiliate, urged youth to embrace vocational training as a path to empowerment.

“Young people should focus on acquiring life skills from vocational training centres. That is the only way to secure their future and move away from destructive habits,” he said.

The colourful tournament, supported by local stakeholders, ended with a strong call for collective action from communities, churches, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers to end drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.