New cabinet fails to inspire young people

Zimbabwe’s new cabinet, which was installed after the 31 July elections, is not sitting well with many of the country’s youth.

Young Zimbabweans are longing for a government that creates jobs, keeps the economy stable and opens avenues for economic growth – all of which, in their opinion, the current ZANU-PF government does not do.

Philemon Jambaya is a 23 year old from the town of Chitungwiza, not far from the capital Harare. Like many of his young compatriots, Jambaya is rather pessimistic about the new cabinet of long-standing President Robert Mugabe.

“As far as I am concerned, it is old wine in new bottles; those guys failed to deliver and some of them have been ministers since independence in 1980. It would be foolhardy to expect them to drive Zimbabwe’s economy back to prosperity,” Jambaya says.

More energy needed

Terry Mutsvanga, 31, says Zimbabwe’s economy needs young and energetic people who are still eager to prove themselves.

“It is a pity that our new cabinet is made up of people who were also part of the government that took Zimbabwe’s economy to the doldrums,” Mutsvanga says. “For us to believe that they will deliver…would be expecting too much from them.”

Masimba Kuchera, a physically challenged person from Chadcombe neighbourhood in Harare, is doubtful that after years of neglect by the government, his luck may turn. Kuchera thinks that the fact that most ministers have either been retained or recycled spells doom for the disabled in Zimbabwe.

“The agenda of the eighth parliament as enunciated by the president also did not indicate any political will to deal with issues relating to people with disabilities,” says Kuchera. “As a party, ZANU-PF hasn’t done much for people with disabilities and their campaign manifesto doesn’t make for good reading. The party and society are still steeped in the wrong perception around disability and instead of providing decisive leadership, politicians seem to be taking their time to get used to the new thinking around disability.”

Trial and error

Nokulunga Masuku, a 27 year old from Gweru, says she fails to understand why the president retains the same people who were previously fingered in corrupt practices.

“Most of the ministers have been somehow involved in corruption allegations and for the president to retain them means he did not look at their merit, but at allegiance,” Masuku says.

She is, however, confident that a clear government work plan and results-based approach will force every stakeholder, including ministers, to work hard.

Tanyaradzwa Dadirai Manyere from Beatrice near Harare says the writing is on the wall. The 21 year old suggests the government has not yet presented its roadmap and people have been left in the dark as to the government’s priorities.

“I am not sure, but I know that they were supposed to give us their 100-day plan…which would allow us to judge [them],” Manyere says.

She thinks that the government’s ‘radio silence’ means its approach is one of trial and error, which is not what Zimbabweans are looking for.

Tried and tested
But unlike his peers, Alson Darikayi believes the new cabinet will be able to meet and the demands of the majority who vested their trust in it.

“The new cabinet is definitely going to deliver because if you are looking at its composition, it is made up of tried and tested people,” says the 29 year old. 

He points out that the mix of the old guard and young Turks in the cabinet is vital. It brings a lot of energy and vibrancy from the young ones, as well as enthusiasm to work for the country, he finds. 

“Look at the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi, who is just coming from a successful UNWTO conference. These are the people you find in the new cabinet and there is definitely zeal to take the country to another level,” Darikayi says.

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