Today March 12th Zambia celebrates Youth day, while the rest of the world celebrates International Youth Day in August our March celebrations have deep ties to our independence struggle.
In 1962, Northern Rhodesia was deep in the struggle for independence. During these turbulent times a plot to assassinate the leaders of the two main native political parties was unearthed. It was intended by the British for the blame to be cast on the opposing parties.
On March 12th 1962, after an attempt to kill one of the leaders failed, a rally was called in Chimwemwe to expose the plot.
This led to the youth rioting in the streets, throwing stones and rocks at the police, who returned fire with live ammunition killing protesters. The efforts of the youths distracted the authorities and allowed the rally to go ahead.
At the rally, the politicians promised that after Independence, the events of the day would be commemorated as Youth Day.
A statue known as “Chi Muposa Amabwe” (stone thrower) stands in the middle of the city of Kitwe to commemorate the day when the Youth of Zambia fought with nothing but stones against gun bullets.
Zambia gained its independence in 1964 and Youth Day was made a public holiday in 1966.
The day is observed to celebrate the youths in society and their contribution to development. It recognises that the youths are the future leaders and must be treated as such.
Zambia having one of the youngest populations in the world with more than 50% of her eighteen million population under the age of 18 years.
Youth day celebrations will be celebrated across the country at all provincial centers. Youths drawn from all across the country have convened at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre for the 2022 National Youth Indaba.
The Indaba’s objectives include;
improving awareness and knowledge among youths and youth leaders on key policy documents on youth matters
exploring the role of youths in the successful development of the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) among other objectives.
the Indaba being held under the theme “enhancing youth participation at all levels of national development”.
PHOTO CREDIT: demerzel21
