29 August 2018, Harare: Hundreds of Scouts from all parts of Africa and the rest of the world have began trooping in to Harare for a series of events that will be taking place in the country over the next 3 weeks.
At least 300 Scouts, Scout Leaders and partners of Scouting are expected to be in Harare. According to Mr. Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama, the Regional Director for Africa at the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) there are six events lined up to take place in Harare from 29th August through to 14th September 2018. The events include; Dialogue for Peace workshop supported by KAICIID, which kicked off today at ZESA National Training Centre, International Leadership Training, Young Correspondents and Spokespersons Training, 8th Africa Scout Youth Forum, 17th Africa Scout Conference and the Induction Workshop of the 2018-2021 Africa Scout Committee. The Africa Scout Foundation will also be hosting a meeting.
Speaking while he met a delegation of representatives from the World Scout Bureau Africa support Centre and The Scouts Association of Zimbabwe at his Unity Court Office, Mr. P. Mupazviriho the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Recreation welcomed the Scouts to Zimbabwe saying that Scouting is voluntary movement that moulds youth to be good citizens who will serve their countries. “My wish is to find a mechanism for the government to create a link with the Scouts and provide a conducive environment for youth development to thrive,” he said.
During the meeting, Mr. Kama-Kama thanked the Permanent Secretary and the Government of Zimbabwe for the support accorded towards the hosting of the event and to the Scout movement in Zimbabwe at large. He briefed Mr. Mupazviriho on the structure of Scouting globally and regional, and highlighted its work around the empowerment of young people to play a constructive role in society towards the creation of a better world. “As an organisation for public good, Scouting depends on governments and partners to achieve its vision,” he added while inviting government to strengthen the collaboration with Scouts in the country.
The Permanent Secretary registered the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to youth development initiatives and expressed willingness to strengthen the collaboration with Scouts in driving the nation’s youth empowerment agenda. He also stated that the Minister for Youth is expected the grace the opening of the 8th Africa Scout Youth Forum taking place between 3 – 6 September at ZESA National Training Centre in Belvedere. The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H. E. Emmerson Mnangagwa is also expected to officiate the opening of the 17th Africa Scout Conference to be held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel.
“We are interested in rolling out some of Scouting’s educational programmes in Zimbabwe to augment our national efforts to preserve our environment, promote peaceful co-existence among our citizens and impart knowledge and skills into our young people. We look forward to establishing a collaboration with Scouts around these key priorities under the patronage our President,” said Mr. Mupazviriho.
The Provincial Scout Commissioner for Masvingo and Acting Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Zimbabwe, Mr. Silvester Ching’anga on his part thanked the government saying that Scouts are committed to be loyal and supportive citizens based on the Scout Law and Promise. “We look forward to investing H.E the President as the Patron of the Scout Movement in Zimbabwe when he opens the conference on the 7th of September,” he added. Representatives of the Zimbabwe Youth Council were also present at the meeting.