YOUTH and Indigenisation minister Patrick Zhuwao has mocked graduates, who played soccer on the streets in protest at President Robert Mugabe’s failure to create jobs saying they are possessed by demons that need to be exorcised.
by Stephen Chadenga
Zhuwao’s remarks follow pictures that circulated on social media in July of graduates wearing academic regalia protesting against the high levels of unemployment by playing soccer in Harare’s central business district.
“We have seen on social media, graduates selling food and playing soccer in (Harare’s) First Street while wearing their academic regalia,” he said at a recent graduation ceremony at Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre.
“If you are that type (selling firewood and playing soccer in streets) then traditional beer should be brewed for you to be exorcised because you would be possessed by demons. You also need to be exorcised by prophets.”
Zhuwao lashed out at the graduates, accusing them of lacking entrepreneurial skills to embark on self-employment projects.
He said the youths should use the knowledge and skills acquired at school for job creation and self-employment.
There has been a growing number of graduates selling airtime and sweets at street corners, while wearing their academic gowns in protest over lack of employment.
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Over the years, Zanu PF has been calling for youths not to demand jobs but instead focus on self-help projects.
Critics, however, say the call is insincere, given the harsh economic environment that has seen many companies closing down, with the few remaining ones downsizing on operations.
In recent months, there has been an increasing number of graduates protesting in front of President Robert Mugabe demanding the two million jobs promised by the ruling party ahead of the July 2013 elections.
In September, former Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu) president, Tonderai Dombo led protests at the University of Zimbabwe after raising a placard demanding jobs from Mugabe, who was preparing to cap graduands.
National University of Science and Technology student, Advance Musoki was on Monday fined $50 or two weeks in prison after he allegedly shouted demanding jobs from Mugabe at the institution’s graduation last Friday.
