SHANNISE DZOBO
GWERU CITY- Kundi Chimbuya(14) a student at Thornhill High School doing form 2 who is junior Member of Parliament and also Minister of State Devolution and Provincial Affairs in Gweru has set his eyes on fighting child marriages.
The campaign will be running under the theme ‘CHILDNOTBRIDE’.
Chimbuya said that this initiative was started in April this year through a Whatsapp group where they had discussions enlightening each other on child marriages and how stop the practice of marrying off young girls especially among faith based organisations.
“We established our Whatsapp group in April this year with the aim to enlighten each other on child marriages, how we can stop them, the causes of child marriages and the impact on the girl child and society at large.
“This group comprises of children and youth across Zimbabwe and we highlight issues from different places,” said Chimbuya.
“What really triggered this idea was that of a 65 year old Madzibaba from Chiredzi who married his wife’s 10 year old niece recently.
“I also travel a lot and I am an extrovert social being, I love to be involved in a lot of activities to do with the youths and their rights. I also have a calling for helping others and extend a helping hand on areas which I see that they require attention, I don’t hesitate to take action,” said Chimbuya.
He went on to note that the rate of child marriage is sky rocketing like in 2021, 5 000 cases were recorded and the same girls are a liability to the State affecting the future leaders of the country as they become mothers and fathers before they are ready for the roles.
Chimbuya told The Midweek Watch that they will be holding regular public discussions on their Whatsapp groups and they are also on Instagram (childnotbride_official) and they are going to be spreading the message to local community radio stations so that they reach out to as many people as they can.
“We are going to be holding our discussions on our Wgatsapp groups and we are also on Instagram (childnotbride_official) and we are going to be going to have a tour where we will be broadcasting live on local community radio stations across the country,” said Chimbuya.
Other members who are helping in facilitating the campaign are Runako Mundondo(16) who is the secretary, Tatenda Nhamo the vice chairperson(25) and Chimbuya as the chairperson.
