The recent reintroduction of the National Youth Service (NYS), which has been renamed Youth Service in Zimbabwe (YSZ), by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is viewed by some critics as an attempt to brainwash young people into blindly supporting ZANU PF, reported The Independent.
Before its suspension years ago, the programme was criticised for churning out the infamous ZANU PF youth brigades that became known as “Green Bombers” because of the colour of their uniforms.
According to several human rights reports, the “green bombers” unleashed an orgy of violence in the run-up to national elections, including rape and murder, targetting members of the opposition MDC.
Ruben Mbofana, a political analyst, said the YSZ programme will not foster patriotism, but create youths who are subservient to ZANU PF. He said:
The purpose of the National Youth programme is not so much about inculcating patriotism. Let us remember that the definition of patriotism as far as ZANU PF is concerned is very different from the rest of the world. It is different from what we find in a dictionary.
As far as ZANU PF is concerned, patriotism is brainwashing the people of Zimbabwe, especially our youth into supporting the party. It is not about loving the country.
It is not about defending the country. It is about defending ZANU PF and its leadership. They want to confuse our youths that the love for one’s country is to love ZANU PF.
Stephen Chan, a professor of World Politics at the University of London, said:
If the new ‘Green Bombers’ are deployed as they were last time, they will be a coercive and often intimidating force.
If this is a serious national youth service, the model (should be like) what occurred in Zambia – truly constructive and developmentally focused.
Mnangagwa relaunched the programme at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Mashonaland East Province on Friday, 24 May.
He said the Youth Service in Zimbabwe is designed to nurture patriotic, well-rounded and disciplined citizens.
The programme was initially launched by the late Youth minister Border Gezi in 2001. Gezi played a pivotal role in the programme’s establishment, setting the groundwork for its subsequent development.
In 2021, the Government attempted to reintroduce the programme. However, the unavailability of funds became a major stumbling block.
The training runs for six months and graduates have been promised automatic entrance in the civil service.
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