16 June, students vow to play their part in the ‘final lap’

 

Students in tertiary institutions around the country have pledged to play a crucial role in the last lap of what has been a hectic marathon in pursuit of democracy.

Commemorating the massacre of hundreds of students by the apartheid regime in South Africa in various centres across the country,  students noted that lack of democracy and  respect of rights is the greatest threat to academic freedoms and the pursuit of their career dreams and pledged to mobilize each other and other young people to actively participate in the struggle for democracy which is reaching crucial stages with the  nation anticipating  the referendum, the population census and most important of all, the harmonized election.

Speaking at ZINASU’s main celebrations held in Masvingo, ZINASU National Representative Council Leader Cde Joram Chikwadze urged students to take decisive actions and play their role as the vanguards of democracy and safeguard a democratic future of the nations for their own good and for the betterment of the nation at large. 

“As students, we have always played a crucial role as the vanguards of democracy and that role has never been so important as it is now and in the following months as we enter the final lap in the race for democracy that we have been running alongside a dedicated dictator who is so allergic to democracy and good governance. We should be motivated by the memories of such June atrocities and inhumane acts by dubious blood thirsty charlatans to champion and scale up the struggle in pursuit of democracy. Lets Champion Democracy and Good Governance in our lifetime. ” Chikwadze said.

Speaking at the same  occasion, Masvingo Chairman and National Representative council member Cde Prosper Tiringindi lamented at the unfortunate events that have characterised the month of June since time immemorial  and urged students and the citizenry to remain vigilant and motivated by these unfortunate acts of aggression by ruthless rascals in rulership positions. 

“The month of June is a black month in the democracy dream. Talk of the Soweto massacres, the Pre and Post June 27 horror, the post Murambatsvina June cold. It is however these actions of aggression by uncouth opportunists against fellow human foxes that should trigger us to be vigilant and even be vicious in the fight for democracy. I can see another dictator falling. ”  Reiterated Cde Tiringindi.

The occasion held at Rujeko B grounds with soccer matches, featuring students select team, and youth select team, was also graced by other student leaders and former student leaders and youths from the region and left comrades with new resolve to fight for democracy. There were deliberations over the need for a league for democracy in the students and academic fraternity. 

 The Student leaders in other regions also convened symposiums and focus group discussions in commemoration of the day and as bold steps to build cadreship as a way of preparing students and fellow youth to actively participate in the coming crucial processes. 

The universal message that the union took to the students and fellow youths on this day was that of registering to vote, going out to vote and being prepared to defend their vote in all these coming crucial direct democracy processes. 

The students expressed their wish to have the current constitution making  process concluded and that the document and will create a platform for a peaceful free and fair election that will obviously usher a new dawn of a democratic space for the emancipation of the people of Zimbabwe. 

There was common consensus that the students will reject any attempt at holding an election without the necessary reforms and that the people of Zimbabwe should not just wait upon SADC but also take the crucial lead at pressuring for the respect of rights and human dignity.

Cde Manono led the discussions in Mutare, Cde Louis Chihata   led Bulawayo deliberations, Cde Luke   led the Chinhoyi deliberations while cde Chamba chaired the Bindura deliberations. Students in Harare joined commemorations at Harare gardens.