DURING THE First World War, English poet, Wilfred Owen wrote one of his most moving poem, Anthem for Doomed Youth and the piece contained the following lines:

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? 

Only the monstrous anger of the guns. 

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle 

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; 

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, –

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;  

Zimbabwe is not at war so maybe Owen’s poem is not the most appropriate. But, as the saying goes, peace is not the absence of war. The brutal experiences of our youth have been traumatic enough – joblessness, poverty, lack of access to higher education, illegal migration, xenophobia, hunger and humiliation…It is a catalogue of unmitigated disasters for the majority of our youth.

Despite their brutalization, the Zimbabwean youth on the whole remain cautiously optimistic about the future. They translate their dreams in concrete terms: further education, search for opportunities across borders, diligence and entrepreneurship.

I recently met one young man who had opened his barbershop in front yard. He had lovingly done a written sign to attract customers: Hustler Barber. In addition he had put up some old car seats for sitting and also had a radio where he played some reggae music for his clients. I don’t wish to romanticize this but there are many like him just trying to eke a living but there are also many that have lost hope.

We do not need our youth to continue battling the crocodiles of the Limpopo in search of a future. A democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe that opens up opportunity for every child and young person should be created.  Now.

Chris Kabwato

Publisher

Editor's Note

Our sincere apologies to all subscribers who did not get last week's Edition 4: Education at Stake.

This was due to an error encountered by our system. We have since resolved this. Many thanks for accessing the newsletter via alternative channels (Website & Facebook). Your feedback, too, is greatly appreciated. 

Best regards,

Levi

Publisher: Chris Kabwato (chris@digitalartsafrica.org)

Editor & Project Manager: Levi Kabwato (levi@zimbabweinpictures.com)

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