By Staff Reporter
Bulawayo youths have questioned whether the presidency is a strict preserve for people with liberation war credentials amid criticism that some youths do not match the 1970s crop which waged a bitter struggle against colonialism.
Speaking during the ongoing Ideas Festival youths expressed concern over talk that people who did not go to war are not fit to lead Zimbabwe.
“We continuously hear that no one will rule this country if they don’t have war credentials. That’s very worrying. Was that part of the struggle policies” asked a youth during a plenary session at the Zimbabwe Music Academy.
The youths also questioned the authenticity of the historical account of the liberation struggle alleging that it was biased towards Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA).
They said only ZANLA accounts of the liberation war were being talked about while Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) efforts are given little or no mention.
In terms of contribution during the war, the youths said it was known that ZIPRA contributed more than their counterparts.
A ZIPRA Trust official Marshall Mpofu said it was unfortunate that politicians were miss-informing the public about the history of the county’s struggle for independence.
“Any Zimbabweans not being a war veteran but voted by the people can be the president. You youths are lucky in that the bulk of the population and majority of you are educated than us. You can mobilise yourselves are out-vote anyone during elections” said Mpofu.
Mpofu said most of ZIPRA records were confiscated for unknown reason by the government but they are re-compiling them.
Bulawayo based civil activist Patricia Tshabalala accused youths of being driven by material gains than the spirit of servitude.
“Current youths are different from our generation. Some of us sacrificed our lives during the struggle. We never sought payment but now the youths are just after money. If you ask youths to walk from town to Pumula they won’t agree but demand bus fare” said Tshabalala.
