This is a special day on the calendar for the Zambian Youths certainly because It is the day the whole nation becomes still and recognizes the voice of the youth. The 12th of march is a holyday but not automatically a day-off. In Zambia, you have twelve holydays in the calendar. Only 8 of those will be day-offs, the other ones will be worked as a normal week day.

What about the Youth Day? This is a day when the Government focuses on youths and their challenges and gives them a platform to dialogue in an effort to address youth problems. It is also a day that the government appreciates the efforts rendered by the youth during the struggle for independence.

Zambia celebrates Youth Day with usual street march where the youth participates in socio-civic action and sports activities which improves and enjoys their youth. Youth-oriented organizations such as the Grass Root Soccer organize yearly parades to spread awareness on legal, health, and economic issues which concerns the youth. The local government, in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGO) organize sporting events to which the youth can participate. Local leaders may deliver speeches recognizing the role of the youth in nation-building. Other activities such as tree-planting may also take place depending on the activities they organization planned for the day. On the part of the government, this is the time when special laws that benefit the youth are passed and instituted.

 

 

What about Livingstone on Youth Day?
We are having a three days activities in the city of Livingstone this year.

  • Youth Sunday (10-03-13) at Calvary Church along Mosi-o-tunya road from 2pm-6pm. Activities on this day included singing, drama, poetry and preaching by youths from different churches in the city.
  • Today, Monday (11-03-13) from 8am-10am. We are planting trees along Kaunda road in Maramba Township.
  • On Tuesday (12-03-13) actual youth day. Activities will include a match past by the youth from the mukuni park to villa ground, entertainment in form of songs, poetry and drama, speeches by the youth and the government, sports and talent show.

Like J.M. Barrie put it this way, "All Children, except one, grow up". Unfortunately, we're not like Peter Pan...let's remember that we've been one and let's celebrate it with the next generations.

Happy Youth Day, folks!