Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
HARARE – Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI Z) has issued a powerful call to the nation’s youth, urging them to become the defining force in the fight against corruption. The appeal marks the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day, observed under the global theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”
In a statement released Tuesday, the governance watchdog stressed that Zimbabwe’s future hinges on a generational shift in values.
“The future cannot be built by repeating the failures of the past,” the statement read.
“It must be shaped by a generation that values integrity, demands accountability, and refuses to normalise corruption.”
The call to action comes against a sobering backdrop. Zimbabwe scores 21 out of 100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 157th out of 180 countries. TI Z notes these figures reflect “the daily lived realities of corruption” affecting service delivery, procurement, land administration, and justice.
“Yet, despite these challenges, young people hold the power to change the narrative and redefine Zimbabwe’s future,” said TI Z.
The organisation explicitly called on youth to “be the generation that rejects shortcuts, refuses to celebrate ill-gotten wealth, and chooses values over corruption.”
Echoing this sentiment, the statement quoted former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
“To defeat corruption, we need people of integrity, especially young people who believe in a better tomorrow.”
While acknowledging policy frameworks like the National Development Strategy II and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy II, TI Z argued they are insufficient without ethical conduct and robust public participation. It highlighted a growing movement of young Africans, including activists, digital innovators, and professionals, who are already demanding transparency and challenging unethical practices.
The organisation commended the government for the recent Cabinet adoption of the Whistleblower Protection Bill, labelling it a “crucial step.” However, it urged authorities to expedite the bill’s enactment, align it with international standards, and ensure effective implementation. TI Z encouraged young people to actively participate in consultation processes and offered its own technical support to mobilise youth engagement.
“Corruption thrives where there is silence, fear, and division. It shrinks when citizens unite, when institutions are strengthened, and when young people rise to defend integrity,” the statement concluded, calling for a united front across all sectors of society.
The final rallying cry was a direct appeal to the public:
“Resist Corruption. Reject Corruption. Report Corruption.”
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