Youth Coalition of Zimbabwe

23/10/2025

*Mandatory Drug Tests In Workplaces, Tertiary Institutions Under New Bill*

The government, companies, and learning institutions will soon be required to conduct drug tests on employees and students under the new National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill, which has been gazetted and is expected to be tabled before Parliament soon.

According to the proposed law, employers and heads of public institutions will also have to set up internal systems to detect, prevent, and manage drug and substance abuse within their organisations.

If passed without amendments, the Bill will make it compulsory for all institutions to introduce comprehensive anti-drug and substance abuse policies.

These will include awareness campaigns, counselling and rehabilitation programmes, and clear procedures for identifying and reporting cases of abuse.

The Bill also proposes the creation of the National Drugs and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency, which will oversee implementation.

Institutions will be required to put in place structured programmes that encourage prevention and early intervention, while ensuring support and referral systems for those battling addiction.

Section 12 of the Bill shifts the main responsibility for drug abuse prevention from being purely a government enforcement matter to a shared, monitored obligation involving both public and private entities. The Bill reads in part:

“Every obligated person shall no later than 90 days after the date of commencement of this Act or no later than 90 days after commencing business in the case of an employer; or commencing operations in the case of a statutory body or learning institutions: either adopt a demand side reduction programme designed by the agency (whether generally or specific to a type of obligated person) or design its own customised demand side reduction programme and submit it for approval to the Deputy Director-General (Social) in accordance with this Section.”

To ensure compliance, the Bill proposes the creation of a new National Drugs, Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency, which will have the power to appoint “monitors” to regularly inspect workplaces, schools, colleges and other institutions to assess how well they are tackling drug and substance abuse.

These monitors will be authorised to access relevant records, interview staff or students, and inspect any premises where substance abuse is suspected.

They will also be able to issue compliance orders or recommend sanctions against institutions that fail to meet the required standards.

Anyone who refuses to cooperate with the monitors or deliberately obstructs their work will face tough penalties, including heavy fines or imprisonment for up to a year.

The Bill further provides for disciplinary measures against public officers or administrators who fail to carry out their responsibilities in enforcing anti-drug policies within their institutions.

17/09/2025

10/09/2025

"On World Su***de Prevention Day, the Youth Coalition of Zimbabwe stands with young people affected by mental health struggles. Let's break the silence and build a community that supports each other. Your mental health matters. Reach out, talk to someone, and let's work together to create a world where every young person can thrive."
Youth Decide Zimbabwe Youth Development Initiative Trust YDIT Youth Light Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Youth Council Youth Empowerment Program Repssi Zimbabwe World Vision International Plan International

31/08/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/youth-coalition-of-zimbabwe-240a23375_iam-happy-to-share-that-irecently-participated-activity-7368001209120477186--Pck?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFzgv5ABDNfdYAlJXdudtR-VBbwm-NORqPQ

I am happy to share that I recently participated in a transformative Youth Leadership Development training conducted by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust in Inyanga, I represented Shangano Arts Trust, Hwange. This experience was incredibly enriching, providing me with invaluable insights and skills that will empower me to make a meaningful impact in my community as a youth leader.

During the training, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of advocacy in promoting youth rights and interests. I learned that effective advocacy requires a clear understanding of the issues, building alliances, and using various platforms to amplify youth voices. Additionally, the training emphasized the importance of leadership principles such as integrity, accountability, and servant leadership, which will enable me to lead with purpose, inspire others, and build trust within my community.

A critical takeaway from the training was the need for youth to be actively engaged in policy formulation and review processes. I now understand the significance of contributing to the development of policies that affect young people, such as the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2) and the Youth Council enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. As a youth leader, I am committed to contributing to the implementation and review of these policies to ensure they meet the needs and aspirations of young people.

This training has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become a more effective youth leader and advocate. I plan to share my experiences and knowledge with other young people in my community, empowering them to become active citizens and leaders. I also intend to engage with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure youth voices are heard and considered in policy decisions. I also aim to collaborate with other organizations and initiatives to amplify youth advocacy efforts and promote positive change.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust for providing this transformative training opportunity. I am honored to have been part of this experience and look forward to applying the lessons learned to make a positive impact in my community.

22/08/2025

Zimbabwe's situation with Chinese mining investments mirrors the historical context of China's O***m Wars, where foreign powers exploited China's resources. Today, Zimbabwe faces similar challenges with Chinese companies dominating its mining sector, particularly in lithium, diamonds and gold. These investments have sparked concerns about environmental degradation, labor rights abuses and community displacement.

Key Issues

- Environmental Degradation: Chinese mining operations have caused extensive damage to Zimbabwe's environment, including water pollution, soil contamination and loss of biodiversity.
- Labor Rights Abuses: Chinese companies have been accused of exploiting workers, paying poverty wages, denying benefits and intimidating those who join trade unions.
- Community Displacement: Local communities have been forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands to make way for Chinese mining projects, without adequate consultation or compensation.

Zimbabwe's dependence on Chinese investments may compromise its sovereignty and ability to regulate its own resources. The exploitation of Zimbabwe's resources may lead to economic instability, as the country struggles to benefit from its own wealth.

30/07/2025

As a participant, I'm grateful for the Centre for Natural Resource Governance's training, which equipped me with valuable knowledge and skills to promote transparency, participation, and accountability in the extractive sector. I gained insights into climate justice, the importance of prioritizing people over profit, and the need for sustainable development, empowering me to advocate for change and hold governments and corporations accountable.

25/07/2025

Join the cause. Hwange 24/7 (79), Hwange 24/7

16/07/2025

The Youth Coalition of Zimbabwe is a dynamic and inclusive organization that brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to advocate for their rights and interests. Our organization emerged from a growing recognition of the need for a unified youth voice in Zimbabwe, particularly in areas such as Sexual Reproductive Human Rights, Youth Engagement, Disability Inclusion, Youth Empowerment, Natural Resources Management, Social Improvement, Gender Equality, Education and Human Rights Advocacy. We believe that young people are a powerful force for change and that their collective voice can shape a brighter future for Zimbabwe.