The Zimbabwe National Service Graduates Association (ZIM-NASGA) yesterday echoed that they were a non-partisan organization driven by a sense of patriotism to fight for the development of the country, a departure from their earlier orientation of being extensions of political parties, adding that they will support Government efforts in the fight against corruption and sanctions, which they said have stifled the nation’s growth.
Addressing a Press Conference yesterday at the Media Centre, the ZIM- NASGA spokesperson Andifasi Banda said that they had rebranded to a non- partisan youth organisation independent from the previous National Youth Service introduced by Border Gezi in 2000, that is said to have been transformed into a Zanu- PF militia to terrorize the electorate during election periods under the reign of the late Robert Mugabe.
Banda said, “We are a non- partisan organisation trained to be patriotic and defend the sovereignty of our country. We are not Green Bombers or Mashurugwi as is widely perceived by the majority of Zimbabweans.”
The ZIM-NASGA spokesperson said that the reason they chose to rebrand and be independent was that other youth service organisations had become trust organisations owned by individuals, thereby losing their sense of nationhood. This is contrary to the conventional mandate of other youths service organizations worldwide.
Banda said one of the core mandate of ZIM-NASGA was to complement Government’s efforts in the fight against corruption and sanctions, which they said had become a huge hurdle to the nation’s development.
Banda also exhorted Zimbabweans to shun partisan politics, which he said had played a huge role in destroying the country’s politics, further saying that it was the time for Zimbabweans to join hands in developing the country.
Meanwhile, Banda said ZIM-NASGA was a non-profit organisation that is solely dependent on well-wishers in its participation in national events.
Zimbabwe National Service Graduates Association (ZIM-NASGA) is a registered association of Zimbabwe citizens who went for national trainings at the National Youth Service centres in Zimbabwe which include Border Gezi in Mt Darwin, Mushagashi and Masvingo.
