Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Freeman Razemba
19 July 2007
Kezi — THE Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, has urged youths to abstain from risky sexual behaviour.
He was speaking during a tour of Kezi District in Matabeleland South Province where at least 40 students from the Zimbabwe Medical Students' Association did voluntary community work at schools, clinics and hospitals.
Several other students from the National University of Science and Technology, Chinhoyi, Great Zimbabwe and Midlands State University also took part in the work.
The work was part of commemorating the life and works of the late Vice President Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo who died on July 1 1999, at the age of 82.
Cde Kasukuwere urged youths to emulate the life of Cde Nkomo and other leaders of Zimbabwe.
The late Vice President, affectionately known as "Father Zimbabwe" or Umdala Wethu", was born in Kezi District on June 19, 1917.
"As young people, we must remember and respect the work which was done by Cde Nkomo. He was buried at the National Heroes Acre because of the work he did for this country," Cde Kasukuwere said.
It was the work of Cde Nkomo and other revolutionaries that laid the foundation for today's youths to be able to pursue their endeavours in a free Zimbabwe.
"I am a deputy minister because of Cde Nkomo. He unified Zimbabwe. Today we are independent, we can make decisions. The land is ours and we are all happy today, we can afford to smile. It's all because of him," said Cde Kasukuwere.
He, however, urged youths to abstain from risky sexual behaviour because the country needed healthy young people.
"We also need people to develop the country. Make your choice at the right time. Abstain, stay away and don't allow someone to destroy your life.
"Don't allow HIV and Aids to destroy your life, you can live and become a great man or woman," said Cde Kasukuwere.
The medical students were deployed to help people at clinics and hospitals while others were at secondary schools where they were educating schoolchildren about HIV and Aids.
Cde Kasukuwere visited White Water Secondary School, Kezi Rural Hospital, Shashani Secondary School, Natisa Clinic and Maphisa District Hospital during the tour.
The students were giving free medical treatment and HIV and Aids awareness education at clinics and hospitals, giving career guidance in secondary schools, entreprenuership development and carrying out voluntary work at homes of the elderly.
The objective of the programme was to develop awareness among the youths and pass on the liberation legacy of commitment to national values through active youth participation in programmes that focus on disadvantaged communities.
"For most of his life he (Cde Nkomo) fought for the freedom and socio-economic empowerment of the people of Zimbabwe. Indeed, he was a great leader from whose exemplary life the youth should emulate the virtues of patriotism, responsible citizenship and selfless dedication to the service of one's nation.
"He stood for peace, justice, unity, empowerment and development. He also wished for others a world free of poverty, corruption and violence," Cde Kasukuwere said.
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