ZIMBABWE’S young people cannot afford to leave the duty of oversight solely to legislators.
They must play an active role in holding the government accountable, because every decision being made today directly shapes their tomorrow.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has made efforts to uplift the youth, appointing some to Cabinet and senior director positions, while gradually retiring long-serving political figures.
On the surface, this suggests generational renewal and a chance for young people to bring new energy into governance.
Exposure to government processes is, indeed, valuable.
As Parliamentary Youth Caucus chairperson Stanley Sakupwanya recently observed: “Oversight is the duty of citizens, especially the youth, because it is your future that is being shaped in these decisions.
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“It is your chance to step into the shoes of legislators, to understand what it means to debate, to question and hold government accountable and propose bold solutions.”
But there is a sobering reality.
Too often, when youths are elevated to positions of influence, they become subservient to the political machinery that appointed them.
Fearful of losing their positions, they hesitate to challenge authority — even when the interests of their own generation are at stake.
Instead of becoming watchdogs, they risk being absorbed into patronage networks that blunt their independence.
True empowerment cannot be measured by titles alone.
It requires space for young leaders to speak truth to power, and the courage to use that space effectively.
It also requires those outside government to stay engaged — mobilising communities, asking hard questions and demanding transparency.
History shows that youth activism can be transformative when it steps outside the bounds of patronage.
In Zimbabwe, the #ThisFlag movement of 2016, largely driven by young people, forced government to confront corruption, poverty and injustice.
In South Africa, the #FeesMustFall protests demonstrated how sustained youth pressure could reshape higher education funding policies.
Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement and Sudan’s youth-led revolution both proved that young voices can shake entrenched power structures when they act collectively and without fear.
These examples underline a crucial truth: meaningful change does not come from being handed positions; it comes from bold participation, principled resistance and relentless accountability.
For Zimbabwe’s youth, this means refusing to be silenced or co-opted and instead organising around issues that matter — jobs, education, health, climate and democracy itself.
With over 60% of the population under 35, young people are not just the future — they are the present majority.
Their silence in the face of poor governance amounts to surrendering their future.
But their active oversight — questioning, debating and proposing alternatives — can set the country on a new path.
Real leadership is measured not by proximity to power, but by how strongly one defends the interests of the people.
Titles may be given, but accountability must be taken.
This is the moment for youth organisations, universities, churches and civic groups to create spaces where young people can learn, debate and demand accountability without fear.
Civic education and mentorship must be prioritised so that young Zimbabweans not only understand their rights, but also have the tools to defend them.
The future will not be handed to the youth — it must be claimed.
That requires vigilance, courage and collective action.
If young Zimbabweans seize the responsibility of oversight, they will not only protect their own future, but also help to build a stronger, more accountable democracy for generations to come.