Thousands of youths had an impressive time at the Festival. Images courtesy of CRAFT
By Lisca Philo
Prominent youth-focused organizations, SayWhat and Jibilika, successfully hosted a vibrant festival last Friday at Harare Gardens, drawing thousands of young attendees to a hybrid event filled with music, dance, poetry, and health education activities.
The festival, titled Creative Reproductive Arts for Transformation (CRAFT) 2, served as a platform for young people to engage in discussions on critical issues like drug and substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence—challenges that have increasingly become significant in Zimbabwean society.
The festival also issued a strong call to parents, community organizations, development partners, and the media to join hands in creating community-based prevention strategies to combat these pressing societal issues.
A clarion call was also made on youth to use their creativity and voices to champion solutions and drive meaningful change in their communities.
Zimbabwe has been grappling with a sharp rise in social problems, including drug and substance abuse, early child marriages, and gender-based violence. The government has even declared drug and substance abuse a national disaster due to its detrimental impact on the future of young people.
Efforts by organizations such as SayWhat and Jibilika are timely and impactful, providing youth with opportunities for education, engagement, and empowerment. These initiatives equip young people with knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes to navigate challenging times.
Health sector organizations, including the National AIDS Council, Youth Wyze, and New Start Center, actively participated in the festival, offering information and services related to reproductive health, family planning, HIV testing, and drug prevention.
The Swedish Embassy in Harare, a steadfast supporter of Zimbabwe’s development, also backed the festival. Ambassador Per Lindgärde commended the organizers, stressing the importance of ending gender-based violence and promoting youth sexual and reproductive health rights.
“We can end gender-based violence, and we can ensure that the sexual and reproductive health rights of students and youth are realized,” said Ambassador Lindgärde. “This festival would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of everyone involved. Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring.”
He also encouraged sustained advocacy for policies and programs addressing these issues, adding, “Together, we can unleash the potential of young voices and pave the way for a brighter, healthier, and more equitable future.”
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training was represented by Deputy Director of Youth Empowerment, Mr. Mudhunguyo, who highlighted the festival’s theme as timely and critical. Mr Madhunguyo underscored the need for urgent dialogue and action in addressing these societal challenges.
The event included a competitive dance clash, where various dance groups competed for a grand prize.
Poetry and drama performances centered around the CRAFT II theme was done by young talents, made of the 2022 CRAFT winners. Other performers included Tamiranashe, Simz Masuku, and House of Talents, along with theme songs from CHOICES 2, featuring Leo Maggoz and Willom Tight.
Popular musicians Nisha Ts, Killer T, and Bling4 electrified the stage, captivating the youthful audience with their performances.
Certificates and shields were awarded to performers, the CHOICES 2 cast and mentors who played key roles in the CRAFT initiative, recognizing their contributions to this transformative program.
The Key message from the festival is that young people must adopt positive lifestyle choices, reject harmful behaviors such as drug and substance abuse, and actively participate in community initiatives aimed at addressing social challenges.
They need to take charge of their health by seeking accurate information and accessing available services on reproductive health and generally wellness.
