Young people in the SADC region have been cited as key players in unlocking investment and bringing about development in developing countries.
Various speakers who spoke during the recently ended SADC Youth Forum summit held in Malawi noted that without young people, nations will collapse but also urged the youths to be active participants in socio-economic and political issues.
Former Zimbabwe Trade Minister Nkosana Moyo said youths must be able to take leadership roles in politics and desist from a culture of being spoon-fed while expecting the older generation to do everything for them.
“You should desist from clamouring for a seat at the table. Why negotiate at a broken table? It’s now time to create your own table,” he said.
Outgoing SADC Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax said youths must be active participants in the development of their countries.
“Youths should also safeguard their environments as wetlands which are key factors in their ecology systems and should educate others who are not aware of the importance of wetlands and maintaining their environs,” she said.
For her part, Dr Tax said SADC is looking at ways of capacitating youths and involving them in all sectors in an effort to help them attain their vision and
In her opening address, SADC regional co-chair Maggie Mwape underscored the role of youths in the ‘green and blue economy’.
“Let me begin by acknowledging the importance of youth participation and engagement in the key processes such as the green and blue economy. Far from being mere beneficiaries of the 2030 agenda, young people have been active architects in its development and continue to be engaged in the frameworks and processes that support its implementation, follow-up, and review,” Mwape said.
