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Source of inspiration for youths

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ZIMBABWEAN youths have branded the 21st February Movement celebrations a platform for youths to reflect on how they can contribute to national development. 
This year’s celebrations will be held on February 25 (tomorrow) at Matopos.
Youths say the event enables them to draw inspiration from the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.
Most of today’s young people have benefitted from the policies of President Mugabe, such as on education, indigenisation and the Land Reform Programme. 
The 21st February Movement was established in 1986 to encourage Zimbabweans, youths in particular, to emulate President Mugabe’s revolutionary ideas, gallant character, charismatic leadership and selfless policies to the country. 
Since its establishment in 1986, President Mugabe has been the patron of the Movement and annual celebrations have been held in the country’s 10 provinces on a rotating basis. 
Born on February 21 1924 in Kutama, President Mugabe turned 93 on February 21 and, as has become the tradition, the country marks his birthday with pomp and fanfair, celebrating his unparalleled legacy.
“The 21st February Movement, to me, is not a feast but an event where, as youths, we have a chance to meet our hero whose exemplary qualities of nation-building, patriotism and principled leadership guides us,” said Tendai Chikuni, a former student of Kutama College.
“Honesty, hard work, commitment to set goals and an insatiable quest for success coupled with many other rare attributes make President Mugabe stand out and the same qualities have distinguished him as a great leader in Zimbabwe, Africa and beyond.
“It’s because of him that most of us chose to take up leadership in school and elsewhere.
“He instilled in us a spirit of self-belief which I think influenced my decision to venture into politics when I grow up.” 
Chikuni said President Mugabe inspired him from a very early age. 
A shop owner in Norton, Melinda Chidaushe, said she has admired President Mugabe from an early age. 
“I grew up in Norton. Our house was along the highway and I used to wave at the Presidential convoy as it passed by on his way to his rural home,” she said.
“In time, I began attending the 21st February Movement celebrations to mark the President’s birthday.
“He will forever be my role model and I could not think of any better way to honour him.”
Zimbabwean youths, said Chidaushe, have a leader from whom they can learn numerous things which they can use in developing themselves into people who will continue to value and safeguard the country’s heritage. 
As a leader, President Mugabe has shown that he recognises the values of other people.
President Mugabe was a political prisoner in the then Rhodesia for more than 10 years between 1964 and 1974, but this did not stop him from fighting for the people of Zimbabwe. 
While in prison, he never stopped teaching other inmates to acquire qualifications which they later used in running Government departments.
On his release from prison, he did not shy from politics but continued to serve the nation.
After independence, education became his passion and priority. 
It explains why Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy rate in Africa.
Others who spoke to The Patriot said it is imperative for youths to draw lessons from the 21st February Movement on the prerequisite to exhibit good leadership qualities as shown by President Mugabe.
This year’s 21st February Movement is being celebrated under the theme, ‘Honouring our icon, unlocking value in the youth’.

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