Afford youths leadership space, says Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe says the nation cannot refer to the youth as the leaders of tomorrow without affording them the opportunity to step into leadership space.

The President was addressing Day of the African Child commemorations and the official opening of the 24th Session of the Children's Parliament at the Harare City Sports Centre.

President Mugabe urged various stakeholders who include government, civic society and development partners to work together for the betterment of youths who are the future of Zimbabwe.

The President also gave a historical context on which the Day of the African Child is founded while recalling the June 16 Soweto massacres and other atrocities committed by the Rhodesian regime as it murdered children in Mozambique refugee camps during the liberation struggle.

Commemorations of the Day of the African child were held simultaneously with the official opening of the 24th session of the children's parliament in Zimbabwe.