Current Affairs
Youth Push for Wetland Governance Voice Ahead of COP15
By Abel Karowangoro
As Zimbabwe gears up to host the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls from July 23 to 31, 2025, a vibrant movement of young Zimbabweans is making waves, calling for greater inclusion in wetland governance.
With their future at stake, these activists are not waiting to inherit the mantle, they’re seizing it now.
The push gained momentum at a recent youth seminar on wetlands, held at the University of Zimbabwe and organized by the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Zimbabwe (AYICCZim), the university’s Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Institute, and BirdLife Zimbabwe.
The event buzzed with energy as participants crafted a National Youth Position Statement, set to be unveiled at #COP15.
Proposals included establishing a national youth advisory panel on wetlands, boosting support for school-based environmental clubs, and launching a youth-led wetland restoration fund.
Professor Kefasi Nyikahadzoi, a key figure at the seminar, underscored the urgency of youth involvement.
“Their innovation, scientific knowledge, and long-term stake in sustainability make them indispensable,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of decades of environmental research.
The sentiment resonated with the room, where young voices argued they are not just leaders of tomorrow but active contributors today.
Zimbabwe’s Ramsar National Focal Point, Phanuel Mangisi, who also serves as the Environmental Impact Assessment Manager at the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), affirmed the country’s commitment to this cause.
Citing COP14 resolution 14.12, Mangisi highlighted the recent appointment of a national youth coordinator to ensure young perspectives shape wetland policies.
“A new strategic plan will be adopted at COP15, setting fresh targets for global wetlands conservation,” he added, signaling a pivotal moment for the nation’s environmental agenda.
Dr. Samantha Sithole urged young people to take an active role in preserving wetlands, saying their involvement is key to protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change.
The stakes are high. Climate change and wetland degradation, driven by urban expansion, pollution, and unsustainable land use, is accelerating.
In response, the government is actively gazetting ecologically sensitive areas across Zimbabwe, a move youth leaders like Dr. Sithole see as a step forward.
For 19-year-old Tapiwa Moyo, a student at the seminar, the issue is personal.
“Wetlands are our lifeline, clean water, food, and culture depend on them. We need a seat at the table now,” she declared, her resolve mirroring a growing sentiment among peers.
With COP15 on the horizon, these young advocates are poised to transform their demands into lasting change, blending passion with policy to safeguard Zimbabwe’s natural heritage
The Government has strongly condemned the unlawful subdivision and sale of land at North Umzari Farm in Makonde District, Chinhoyi, saying the transactions are in breach of the country’s spatial planning and urban development regulations.
According to Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon Daniel Garwe, authorities never granted approval or issued compliance certificates for the creation and sale of residential stands on the farm.
“The layout plans circulating in connection with the land sales are “fake, fraudulent and legally void,” he said.
The minister urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing land in the area, warning that buyers involved in illegal land transactions risk losing their money because Government will not compensate victims.
“Any structures erected without properly approved plans may be demolished, stressing that Government is determined to eliminate disorderly settlements and ensure organised urban growth in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda,” he concluded.
NetOne has officially launched a new base station in Matjinge, Bulilima District, in Matabeleland South Province as part of efforts to improve network coverage and connectivity in rural communities.
The new base station is expected to provide better mobile communication services to residents in Matjinge and surrounding areas, helping communities access reliable voice and internet services.
The development forms part of NetOne’s ongoing programme to bridge the digital divide by expanding telecommunications infrastructure to underserved areas across the country.
Improved connectivity will help support communication, business activities, education and access to digital services within the district.
The launch of the base station also reflects Zimbabwe’s broader push toward digital inclusion and increased access to modern technology in rural communities.
The 2026 Girls in ICT programme has officially started at National University of Science and Technology under the theme, “AI Development – Girls Shaping the Digital Future.”
The event brings together young girls from different schools and communities to encourage participation in information and communication technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Speaking during the launch, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said empowering girls in technology is important for building a smarter and more inclusive digital future for Zimbabwe.
“Empowering girls today means shaping a smarter, more inclusive digital future for Zimbabwe,” she said.
Minister Mavetera encouraged girls to take advantage of opportunities in the technology sector and actively participate in artificial intelligence and other digital innovations.
The programme aims to inspire more young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while helping close the gender gap in the ICT industry.
The Girls in ICT initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote digital inclusion and equip young people with skills needed for the country’s growing digital economy.
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