HARARE - As Zimbabwe heads towards harmonised elections, we call on all youths who have in the past been used as merchants of violence by politicians to desist from such heinous acts.

Youths must understand that engaging in violence will come back and haunt them for the rest of their lives.

While thousands of youths were just 13 years when we held the last elections, they are now eligible to vote and we urge them to register as voters as without registering they would not be allowed to vote.

Unlike the just-ended referendum when all who had not registered but had reached 18 years managed to vote, the rules are different with the harmonised elections as it requires them to register well before the elections.

The youths, as future leaders should grab this imminent opportunity and express themselves and peacefully choose leaders of their choice through the ballot box.

Since Zimbabwean youths constitute 60 percent of the country’s demography, this coming watershed election offers them a rare opportunity to determine their future.

For the majority of youths, the biggest challenge has been to get employed after completing high school or college. As it stands, Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate hovering above 80 percent, something they can improve if they are to vote wisely.

Through the ballot, fledging fortunes for Zimbabwe can be improved significantly and companies presently shut down might once again be opened depending on the character of the new government.

While youths are disappointed by lack of jobs on the market, it is wise that they queue for long hours to register as voters than endure another five years wandering in the wilderness without jobs.

Our youths should realise that no-one will vote on their behalf.

It is also important that youths wake up and resist being used by politicians to violently punish those who might not agree with their masters’ political ideologies.

As Zimbabweans, we urge youths to fully and peacefully participate in the next election because at the end of the day, whether through omission or commission everyone would be saddled with leaders who will not perform.

Although dates for the elections are still hazy — there is no doubt that they will come and now it is time for youths to take the initial step towards taking part in these make or break elections where Zimbabwe’s destiny will be determined. - Staff Writer