HARARE - “Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannise their teachers, ” said Socrates, the godfather of philosophy.

While these sentiments by the great Greek philosopher who is fondly remembered for his contribution in the field of ethics might be true, Zimbabwean youths have this year proved that they are the leaders of tomorrow through remarkable contributions.

As the year winds down, it is a time to reflect and celebrate the achievements of some of the most influential youths in 2012.

Uebert Angel, a prolific preacher and founder of Spirit Embassy Church is one of Zimbabwe’s youths who definitely tops the charts this year.

 Apart from his prophetic gift which saw him performing miracles, healing the sick and preaching the gospel of prosperity, to many during the course of the year, the 34-year-old managed to pull some of the big wigs in the country.

Angel attracted a crowd of more than 15 000 people to his birthday party in September.

Music super stars like Oliver Mtukudzi, South Africa-based gospel musician Sipho Makabane, Pastor Charles and Amai Charamba, and the Mahendere Brothers performed at his glitzy birthday party.

Apart from his pastoral work, Angel, who was described by his spiritual father prophet Victor Boateng as “a heaven sent instrument”, is also an author.

Angel, however, scored the big one when he managed to secure an appointment with renowned statesman, former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Recently, he launched miracle money in Botswana.

Journalist Fungai Machirori also inspired a lot of women when she started Her Zimbabwe, an online magazine which focuses on women’s rights.

She paved the way for women to be media owners in a country where the media is largely male-dominated.
In one of her published poetry anthropology, the 28-year-old penned a poem entitled “I am not Ketchup” where she says she will not be treated like a man’s mistress.

Another young woman who contributed immensely to women’s empowerment by ensuring that their rights which include but are not limited to health and sexual reproductive are upheld is Grace Chirenje.

Her passion for equity and equality saw her being nominated to participate in the prestigious US embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme in the United States of America.

She also had the opportunity of meeting Michelle Obama during a Young African Women Leadership Forum in South Africa.

The young mother of two also heads the Zimbabwe Young Women Network for Peace building Project an organisation that focuses on issues of women’s participation in politics, democracy, literacy skills training, and works in rural communities in the country.

In the business world, George Manyere was one of the movers and shakers.

The young managing director of Brainworks Capital, an investment company focusing on banking, insurance, mining and the fuel sector which started two years ago, is a force to reckon with.

His organisation acted as financial advisors to the $550 million Mimosa Mining Company’s disposal of 51 percent shareholding to indigenous entities — a deal which by far is one of the biggest ones to be struck in 2012.

Mbada Diamonds corporate services executive George Manyaya was also one of the most influential young people in the country.

The young executive led his organisation into many corporate social responsibility activities in the communities like the sponsorship of the Mbada Diamonds Cup among other initiatives.

Together with his boss Patience Khumalo, Manyaya made sure Mbada Diamonds became a household name in mining. In 2012, Mbada won more than a dozen awards for excellence.

On the entertainment scene, dendera maestro Suluman Chimbetu held his own during the course of the year and so did young “Igwe” Peter Moyo.

Play boy Roki also managed to raise the flag high when he took part in the Big Brother Africa reality television programme.

Together with the sassy Maneta Mazanhi, they kept the audience glued on to their TV sets because of their constant clashes with one another which eventually led to their eviction from the house.

Ammara Brown also wowed revellers with her performances during the course of the year. The versatile songstress who even plays the mbira, and can manoeuvre from RnB, rock, and ragga proved to all that music runs in her blood.

Her sterling performance during the Winter Jazz Festival where she performed several of her late father, Andy’s tracks proved beyond reasonable doubt that she was a force to be reckoned with.

On the sports arena, golfer Brendon De Jong who won the sportsperson of the year award did the country proud when he tied with golf champion Tiger Woods in one of his matches.

The young De Jong has also won more than $2 million dollars this year alone. - Thelma Chikwanha, Features Editor