Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to address the youths at the National Youth Indaba on drug and substance in Lupane during the National Youth Day celebrations, said Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday.

Speaking after yesterday’s cabinet meeting, she said the Indaba would  be graced by the President, which will bring together about 5 000 youths from all provinces of the country.

“The nation is advised that to launch the National Youth Celebrations, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in collaboration with other Government Ministries will host a National Youth Indaba on drug and substance abuse in Lupane.

“The Indaba, which will be graced by His Excellency the President, will bring together about 5 000 youths from all provinces of the country. The youths will engage the Executive on drug and substance abuse, while seeking to evaluate progress on commitment Government has made to mitigate drug and substance abuse in their provinces. The programme will start at 0800 hours and end at 1400 hours. Each Province is expected to host a Youth Indaba that will bring together approximately 500 youths and delegates,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Additionally, Minister Mutsvangwa said the day was also set to celebrate the contributions made by youths and for young people to recognise and emulate the ethos of the liberation struggle for socio-economic development of the country.

 “The youth day has been identified as an opportune event that Government should invest to celebrate youth and together with the young people to take stock of programmes and initiatives to inculcate initiatives to inculcate values that the said fore-bearers display for national development,” said Mutsvangwa.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa in 2021 set up an inter-ministerial task force to find solutions to the scourge of drug and substance abuse. The fight to empower the young people, in line with Vision 2030, is at its peak.