Maravi

Show politicians you are not tool for violence, Caritas urges youths

Show politicians you are not tool for violence, Caritas urges youths
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 23 Aug. 2010, 03:50 CAT

CARITAS Chipata governance programmes coordinator John Mthaziko Zulu has urged youths to show politicians that they are not cheap to be used as tools of violence. Addressing Catholic youths of Chipata deanery at St Atanazio Parish on Saturday, Zulu urged the youths to register as voters and exercise their right to vote.

“During campaigns do not allow to be used by political leaders who in most cases take advantage of unemployment and give money and beer to the youths and command them to engage in violent activities,” Zulu said.

“When the same politicians are voted in using you the youths and the women, then they forget about you completely and will only remember you after four years because they know that the fifth year is election year. Next year show them that you are a very important section of our Zambian population and you are not so cheap to be used carelessly by politicians.”

He urged the youths to also encourage their colleagues to register as voters before the exercise come to an end next month.

Zulu said the Catholic Church realizes the importance of the youth and was aware that the Zambian population was youthful.

“It is important to have our youths organized positively so that they are prepared to be responsible citizens. Youths should be discouraged from undesirable behaviours such as beer drinking, smoking, sexual activities, laziness and being involved in violence,” he said.

“For those of you that are at school, work hard in your studies so that you brighten your future. For those of you that are not in school, please do not lose hope. You are very useful to society and create some employment for yourselves.”

Zulu said the diocese of Chipata established training centres to empower youths with skills in capentry, agriculture, tailoring and bricklaying because the church was aware of the problem of unemployment among school leavers in the country.

Labels: CARITAS, JOHN MTHAZIKO ZULU, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 5:03 AM