By Tinotenda Hove
Cecilia Chimbiri, an official from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), marked Africa Day with a spirited live DJ performance in Budiriro. The largely attended event not only celebrated the essence of Africa but also served as a platform to mobilize and engage young voters for the upcoming crucial General elections.
In a social media statement, Chimbiri spoke the significance of the celebrations and the urgent need for voter mobilization. “We had influential speakers who passionately stressed the importance of the new generation’s full consciousness and realization of their true potential,” Chimbiri expressed. “During the ‘Ghetto Conscious Story part 1 ,’ we highlighted the imperative of registering to vote in substantial numbers among young people and taking pride in actively participating in our country and continent’s affairs. The infectious excitement surrounding the elections, showcased in a festive atmosphere, epitomizes the Africa we aspire to become.”
With the impending General elections scheduled for August, the youth vote is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the outcomes. Chimbiri’s gig in Budiriro is part of CCC’s comprehensive drive to mobilize young voters and ensure their active participation.
Another influential initiative, the “Register, Elect, and Protect” (REAP) campaign by the CCC Youth Taskforce, has gained significant popularity. The campaign aims to motivate young people to register to vote, to vote and to Protect the vote
Central to the Taskforce’s strategy is the concept of protecting the vote. It advises voters to remain present at their designated polling stations until the votes have been counted and the results officially posted outside the polling booths. This proactive approach aims to prevent electoral malpractices that have marred previous elections. In particular, the Taskforce aims to address incidents where opposition polling agents were subjected to harassment by ZANU PF thugs, resulting in their abandonment of polling stations and enabling the manipulation of ballot boxes by the ZANU PF party.
