Zimbabwe-Russia-Belarus Youth Agency Strengthens Ties, Empowers Young Leaders Through Collaboration

In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Vusumuzi Manjonjo, President of the Zimbabwe-Russia-Belarus Youth Agency, unveiled the underlying motivations and vision behind the establishment of his platform.

Manjonjo highlighted the historical ties between Zimbabwe and Russia, rooted in Russia's support during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. Leveraging this historical foundation and recognizing Russia's current outreach to Africa, the agency aims to capitalize on shared interests and create mutually beneficial relations.

"Russia, through its foreign policy, has extended an open arm to Africa, particularly to those countries that have always had a common interest with it. So we are trying to take advantage of that opportunity," he told Sputnik Africa.

One of the key objectives of the Zimbabwe-Russia-Belarus Youth Agency is to facilitate partnerships with skilled and technologically adept young individuals in Russia.

"Currently, there's also been a shift in the geopolitical space whereby these countries that used to occupy the position of primacy in terms of world power have since lost their position. And Russia has been slowly gravitating towards taking the center of the geopolitical space," Manjonjo said.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Russia Delivers 25,000 Tonnes of Grain to Zimbabwe Free of Charge, Says Russian Ambassador

20 March, 11:32

By tapping into Russia's expertise in areas such as agriculture and technology, the agency strives to bolster Zimbabwe's mineral industry and enhance food security through collaborative initiatives that leverage both countries' strengths.

Expounding on the programs and initiatives designed to empower and engage young people, Manjonjo underscored the importance of cultural exchange and educational initiatives. The agency aims to bridge cultural gaps by facilitating language teaching programs, visual arts exchanges, and sports tournaments geared towards improving coaching techniques.

By fostering exchanges in areas like sports, including chess, where Russia is renowned for its prowess, the agency seeks to create avenues for interaction and skill development among youth from Zimbabwe and Russia.

"We intend to have student tours and visits, which we hope students will appreciate the other culture and in another better way that of which Russia has to offer," he added.

Reflecting on the recent discussions in Russia, Manjonjo expressed his appreciation for the well-organized and attended meetings, emphasizing the positive mindset and enthusiasm of the young leaders representing various organizations within the Agency.

"I have to acknowledge that it was very well organized and well attended," he said. "My assessment of the young people that I talked to, who are in charge of these various organizations, is that they are very positive-minded, very enthusiastic, and have expressed a keen interest in working with us to achieve a mutual and a strategic plan."

Opinion

Lifting Sanctions While Imposing Others Is 'Biggest' Sign of US Double Standards: ZANU-PF

18 March, 17:30

When discussing the promotion of cross-cultural understanding, Manjonjo shed light on the historical connections between Zimbabwe and Russia, noting the influence of Russian language and culture on Zimbabwean society dating back to the era of the Second Chimurenga, also known as the Rhodesian Bush War.

"So the Russian way of fighting and doing things has always been held at the highest level among our people. So in this light, young people in Zimbabwe will be more receptive to the process of interacting and learning aspects of Russian culture," Manjonjo stated.

Looking towards the future, the agency sets its sights on ambitious projects aimed at furthering cross-border collaboration and educational initiatives. One such project involves the establishment of a Russian House in Harare, he said.

"Also we have an ambition to establish our own house, the Zimbabwean House in Moscow, where the Russian youth can learn about the Zimbabwean culture, the African culture from within," Manjonjo said. "Both our cultures are rich in their own respect. And the Zimbabwe-Russia-Belarus Youth Agency seeks to institutionalize the preservation of those cultures through the establishment of these houses."

Additionally, the Agency aims to establish a scholarship fund to facilitate educational exchanges, enabling students from Zimbabwe to benefit from the advanced educational system in Russia and bring back valuable knowledge and skills to contribute to their homeland's development, Manjonjo concluded.