Maravi

Neglect of youths saddens Open Society Foundation

Neglect of youths saddens Open Society Foundation
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 14 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT

ZAMBIAN youths are condemned to a life of squalor, characterised by high levels of unemployment, poverty and many diseases, says Sunday Chanda.

Launching his Open Society Foundation and a red card campaign for youth jobs in Lusaka on Sunday, Chanda also welcomed "with conditions" President Michael Sata's directive to his Minister of Youth to present a National Action Plan on Youth Employment in Zambia.

"The President has picked one of the things we have called on government to do, which could be a sign that he is listening. Our hope is that it was not done for political fronting. However, we are opposed to the time frame given, which is September 2012. The question of youth is an urgent one and youths cannot be expected to wait until September 2012," he said.

Chanda also challenged the government to respond to the hundreds of youths offloaded onto the labour market every year.

"They have no labour movement to speak for them but themselves.

He said his organisation was aiming at reversing the injustices committed to the youth by previous and current regimes.

"The youth agenda has never taken centre stage. This must change. The number one priority of any normal country is employment creation and not focusing entirely on consequences resulting from the right issues we have failed to address as a nation," he said.

Chanda said unemployment levels had been building up over time and it would not be fair to apportion the entire blame on the PF government.

"It is again correct to state that had the levels of youth unemployment not escalated so high, the PF would not have formed government in the last election. The PF formed government because their message to the nation, but especially the youth, resonated so well and provided hope for a hopeless generation," said Chanda.

"More jobs and more money in their pockets was the basis on which Zambian youths woke up early in the morning to make their vote historic. Today, we come to remind the PF Government of their solemn commitment to the younger generation and asking them for one very simple thing: how do you plan to fulfil your campaign promises to the youth of Zambia now that you are the government?"

Chanda said his red card campaign would roll out to sensitise pupils, students and youths from the wider community, to make them appreciate Zambia's wealth and why they were not benefiting.

"Presently, youths see poverty while foreigners see wealth. This, we are determined to change. Once youths understand how rich their country is, they will make informed and great demands," he said.

Chanda said Zambia was Africa's largest producer of copper with most benefits accruing to the investor, with China leading.

He advised the government to re-introduce the windfall tax in resonance with its campaign promise to do so once in government.

"Government must honour this commitment, unless they have been rewarded in another way by China. We are sad to note that after so much spirited talk about creating jobs and putting more money in people's pockets, there is less and less of policy formulation and implementation to convince the youth that government is still committed to honour its campaign promise on jobs," he said.

Chanda also clarified that the red card campaign on jobs for youths was not inspired by Fr Frank Bwalya and merely an initiative under his organisation.

"There are hundreds of red card campaigns across the globe and ours was never an inspiration of Fr Bwalya's work, much as we have no issues with his work," said Chanda.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, RED CARD CAMPAIGN, YOUTHS

posted by MrK @ 6:57 PM