Through bold participation and unwavering commitment, it is vital for the youth to be involved in land conferences and powerful continental platforms driving youth advocacy and shaping policy across Africa.

These remarks were made by the LPM Youth League Command Leader Duminga Ndala.

She spoke on the margins of the 2025 International Youth Summit on Land and Economic Freedom in Harare, Zimbabwe, recently.

The activist highlighted the value of youth involvement in development and governance.

She noted how young people may shape policy, especially in fields like nation-building and economic change. 

In addressing common issues, such as land rights and the quest for economic independence in post-colonial Africa, she highlighted the necessity of Pan-African unity and international cooperation.

“The perspectives varied in emphasis but aligned on core values. While the LPM continues to prioritise land restitution for Indigenous communities, other groups echoed complementary themes of youth empowerment, economic sovereignty and historical justice,” said Ndala.

Delegates from across Africa converged under the theme ‘Land and Economic Freedom: The Key to Africa’s Sustainable Development’.

The politician noted that the summit’s central themes included land ownership amongst African youth and redistribution, particularly addressing the historical land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid.

“Our strategy at the LPM has always centred on advocating for the redistribution of land to historically dispossessed communities by challenging the elite capture of the current land reform programme. 

Through legal advocacy and direct action, we have taken the government to court over the Ovaherero and Nama genocide. Additionally, we continue to advance our cause through community mobilisation and public awareness efforts,” she highlighted.

Ndala said the summit had a strong representation of African youth, with a variety of student movements and youth-led organisations in attendance demonstrating this. 

She stated that conversations were youth-centred, with a focus on young people’s leadership, land and economic liberation of African youth.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere commended the summit. 

He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to inclusive youth empowerment. 

He underlined that the country’s progress towards realising Vision 2030 still depends heavily on land.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose governance is inclusive and visionary, is a leader who has actively created platforms for youths to be seen and heard, and engage in national development processes. It is through such deliberate empowerment that young people are no longer on the periphery but at the very centre of Zimbabwe’s policy and innovation spaces,” said Muswere.

He added: “This is what makes the summit both timely and transformative, as it opens room for the continent’s young leaders to reflect, strategise and articulate a future that is truly theirs. 

“I am happy that they have field visits to some of the youths who own land and are doing well. This has also set as an example to some of them – what Zimbabwe has done”.