Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s Chido Mpemba has been appointment Youth Envoy to the African Union Commission, taking over the reins from Tunisia’ Aya Chebbi whose term lapsed in February 2021.
Mpemba becomes the first southern African person to hold the most influential youth post on the continent after passing through rigorous vetting amongst hundreds of other African youths who were vying for the position.
Her appointment comes as the country celebrated Africa Youth Day.
In a statement yesterday, on the occasion of the Africa Youth Day, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat said Mpemba’s vast knowledge on issues affecting young people will assist in crafting sound programmes and policies.
“As part of my renewed commitment to amplify the voices of young people and broaden their participation in the development of the continent, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, a native of Zimbabwe as my next Envoy for Youth.
“Ms Mpemba was selected following a rigorous recruitment process of hundreds of applicants, I am confident that, with her profound knowledge of issues affecting young people, and working in close collaboration with the relevant Departments of the Commission, she will contribute to the effective implementation of African Union youth policies and programmes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry has reiterated government’s commitment to fulfilling the African Union’s Agenda 2063 on creating direct opportunities for one million young Africans in the areas of education, employment, entrepreneurship and engagement.
In a statement yesterday, the Minister noted that at the very core of the initiative are the principles of pan-Africanism, strategic partnerships and Africa-centric innovation and solutions, co-created and driven by Africa’s youth, towards creating sustainable structures.
“Young people are at the very heart of Africa’s development agenda. With over 75% of Africa’s 1.2 billion inhabitants being under the age of 35, and 453 million Africans aged 15-35 years, it goes without saying that the development outcomes of Africa’s young people have a significant and lasting effect on the continent’s trajectory,” said the Minister.
She called upon young people to stay away from abusing and misusing drugs and alcohol, which has resulted in some of them losing lives, committing crimes and suffering from numerous diseases including mental health challenges.
The Minister said it was time to rebuild the nation adding that young people are a critical building block as the country aims at achieving an Upper Middle Class Economy by 2030.
