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 <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200027642/green-bombers-return-triggers-fears-of-violence">The Independent</a>.
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:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
Stephen Chan, a professor of World Politics at the University of London, said:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
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.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Return Of National Youth Service Triggers Fears Of Violence

ZANU PF is accused of politicising the controversial National Youth Service (NYS) programme, which is set to be relaunched soon, by running a parallel programme to lure youths amid low interest in the project.
The national youth service training is set to restart in June this year at Dadaya and Vumba training centres, with the Government expecting 1,000 youths to register for the programme ahead of its re-launch.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200026249/zanu-pf-hijacks-national-youth-service">NewsDay</a>, officials are not satisfied with the rate at which the youth are registering, which has resulted in ZANU PF running a parallel registration programme.
ZANU PF is said to be promising funds for projects for youth on condition that they register for the programme and government jobs upon completion of the six-month training.
A message circulating on social media for the campaign and seen by NewsDay suggests that ZANU PF is mobilising its structures to ensure the programme is fully subscribed. Reads the message:
<blockquote>
Please be informed that the Youth Service Zimbabwe will start training in June/July 2024 with 250 trainees at Vumba and 750 at Dadaya training centres with three months in camp and three months as community service.
Training this time includes skills training for all trainees. Inform and encourage youths in your wards to register so that they will be eligible for the training because only those in the ministry’s database will qualify.
</blockquote>
However, ZANU PF director of information, Farai Marapira, told NewsDay that the youth service was oversubscribed. Said Marapira:
<blockquote>
Our duty as a party is to support any patriotic programme which benefits Zimbabweans today and tomorrow.
We support this in any way we see fit and whether this will please our detractors or not it’s neither here nor there, but what I can say is our National Youth Service is oversubscribed just like our Chitepo School of Ideology which is overwhelmed.
Propaganda can no longer win. Zanu PF is the party of the moment.
</blockquote>
The NYS programme was initially launched in 2001 by the former ZANU PF political commissar and Minister of Youth, Border Gezi, who died in a car crash.
The programme churned out hundreds of youths who allegedly became the ZANU PF youth militia accused of unleashing violence on MDC supporters during the 2002 presidential election.
According to human rights reports, the “green bombers”, as the youths were referred to because of the colour of their paramilitary uniform, were responsible for electoral violence, including rape and murder of their victims.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Accused Of Politicising National Youth Service

The Youth Service in Zimbabwe, formerly known as the National Youth Service (NYS), is scheduled to begin in June 2024. It will enrol 750 youths from across the country.
Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, made this announcement during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Tuesday, April 2nd.
Tino Machakaire, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, briefed the Cabinet on the re-establishment of the National Youth Service Programme.
Muswere said since the Cabinet’s decision in 2021 to revive the National Youth Service program, the Ministry of Youth has achieved several milestones, including:
<ul>
<li>The National Youth Service Bill is being drafted following the approval of the Principles in August 2023;</li>
<li>Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation of the programme;</li>
<li>The development of a 6-month training programme that will target youths between the ages of 18 and 35. The programme, which covers 3 months of institutionalised training and 3 months of community attachment, will commence in June 2024 with an enrolment of 750 youths nationwide. Those who undergo the training will be issued with certificates on completion of the programme;</li>
<li>The new curriculum will infuse national orientation with life skills training and entrepreneurial development;</li>
<li>New uniforms, signage and logo have been designed and will be registered;</li>
<li>All production units are expected to fully utilise available land and engage in commercial production units for self-sustenance; and</li>
<li>A total of 10 000 youths are earmarked to undergo training in 2024. The youths will be drawn equally from all the country’s ten provinces. The recruitment will be cascaded to incorporate youths in all wards and districts;</li>
<li>The National Youth Service Programme has been renamed Youth Service in Zimbabwe.</li>
</ul>
Muswere said in the future, young people who complete their training will be given priority in employment and enrollment in the public sector, higher education institutions, and tertiary education. Additionally, they will receive prioritization for financial support to establish new projects and businesses.
The Youth Service in Zimbabwe has faced severe criticism both within Zimbabwe and internationally. Graduates of the service were derogatorily referred to as “Green Bombers” due to their fatigue uniforms and the violence they perpetrated.
It was associated with gross human rights violations on behalf of the ruling ZANU PF party. Participants received some form of military training and were indoctrinated with absolute loyalty to ZANU PF.
They were allegedly involved in torture, harassment, and intimidation of political opponents, especially in rural areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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