Tongogara unveils 2021 theme for refugees, focuses on youth development

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

THE Camp Administrator for Tongogara Refugee Camp, Mr Johanne Mhlanga, has released a theme which his department shall promote for refugees during the year 2021. The refugee camp administration is under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

In an interview recently, Mr Mhlanga indicated that Zimbabwe is adhering to its commitment to protect refugees.

“The theme for our camp for the year 2021 is ‘The Tongogara We Want.’ This promotes what the country stands for as far as refugees are concerned.

“Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Global Compact on Refugees. We are happy to announce that the country is living up to its commitment in meeting the legal provisions in refugee protection. Zimbabwe is creating opportunities for refugees to showcase their talents.

“One of the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees adopted in 2018 is to promote inclusion of refugees in national programmes such as arts and culture. Zimbabwe at the Global Refugee Forum committed to promote and enhance opportunities for refugee youth to participate in sports, arts and culture,” said Mhlanga.

The Camp Administrator went on to reveal what camp authorities have in store for the refugees.

“As the Camp Administrator, my programming is development-oriented and youth-centred. The theme of the Year 2021 is ‘The Tongogara We Want.’ This theme is anchored by my unquenchable appetite for youth to take the lead in community development, where they should be creative.

“We have youth who have already shown that they are capable of developing the camp through sports, arts and culture. It is interesting to see one Cedrick Mulumba Kayembe producing a television series on culture.

“Youth of Kayembe’s calibre deserve support from all players. Friends of Tongogara Refugee Camp can come on board to assist such a rare talent for the betterment of humanity,” added Mhlanga.

According to statistics released on 24 September 2020, Tongogara Refugee Camp had 14,542 refugees and asylum seekers.

Out of these, 75 percent constituted those from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 11.07 percent from Mozambique, 6.2 percent from Burundi, 4.7 percent from Rwanda and 2.53 percent from smaller communities.

Tongogara Refugee Camp Administrator Mr Johanne Mhlanga is focusing on youth development.