Staff Reporter
As Zimbabweans observe National Youth Day, young people across the country find themselves reflecting not just on celebration and pride, but on deep anxiety about the future. For many of us, this day should be about recognizing our potential to shape society, to drive innovation, and to build a more just and equitable nation. Instead, it arrives amid profound political and social uncertainty, with laws and policies moving through Parliament that could have lasting implications for our rights, opportunities, and daily lives.
At the center of these anxieties is the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2026, recently gazetted and beginning its 90-day public consultation period. The Bill proposes sweeping changes to how Zimbabwe’s governance system works. Notable among these is the shift from direct popular elections for the President to election by Parliament, and the extension of presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, effectively delaying the next general election until 2030. For many young Zimbabweans these changes raise serious concerns about democratic participation and accountability. Rather than strengthening citizens’ voices, the amendments risk concentrating power within a political elite and reducing the influence of ordinary voters, especially youth, on decisions that shape our future. Seen in this context, the constitutional reform process feels less like an inclusive, people-driven exercise and more like a top-down effort that could reshape our political landscape without meaningful engagement across society.
Beyond governance structures, there are pressing issues around basic service delivery that deeply affect young people’s everyday lives. Our health system, long strained by economic and administrative challenges, is once again in the spotlight with the passage of the Medical Services Amendment Bill. The Senate recently approved this Bill after removing a controversial clause that touched on termination of pregnancy policy, which is a decision that has stirred debate among advocates for women’s health and rights. The health policy reforms embedded in this Bill include efforts to align medical legislation with constitutional principles, regulate healthcare fees, and improve emergency treatment protocols across public and private facilities. These are important steps as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with uneven access to care, and the legacy of under-resourced health infrastructure. For youth, many of whom are grappling with unemployment, rising living costs, and health vulnerabilities, the stakes are real. Decisions made in Parliament over these laws will influence not just ideological debates, but our ability to access timely, affordable, and comprehensive health services where and when we need them.
Another critical concern is that of an environment where it feels increasingly risky to organize, protest, or speak out. This has been underscored by the enactment of a number of legislative instruments such as laws regulating online activity and public gatherings, has already contributed to a climate of fear where citizens, especially young activists, are hesitant to raise their voices or organize without fear of reprisal. This is particularly worrying at a time when youth engagement from civic education and community service to political participation and advocacy is critical for shaping Zimbabwe’s future. When the space for public deliberation shrinks, so too does the room for young voices to influence the course of national development.
National Youth Day should be a celebration of youthful energy, creativity, and promise. Yet, for many young Zimbabweans today, it has become a moment of sober reflection. We are concerned about whether constitutional changes will strengthen or weaken our democratic participation; anxious about whether policies affecting health and public services will genuinely improve our lives; and wary of an environment where civic engagement feels more restricted than empowered. This moment also presents an opportunity a call for youth across the country to deepen our civic engagement, to stay informed, and to speak boldly about the future we want. Whether it is through community organizing, policy advocacy, or simply engaging in public debate, young people have a stake in these national conversations.
This Youth Day, our future should be more than a subject of legislative debate, it should be a project that youth themselves help to shape, for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.
Youth For Innovation Trust 