By Portia Muzorava
Young people, creatives, and community members gathered at Sherwood Community Hub on 25 May 2026 to commemorate Africa Day under the theme, “Beyond Debt: Reimagining Africa’s Future and Economic Transformation through Youth Voices and Creative Action.”
The event, which was a collaboration between the Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP), Youth Accountability Initiative(YAI) and Trust Africa, created a platform for dialogue, reflection, and celebration of African identity while addressing the continent’s socio-economic challenges and opportunities for transformation.
Speaking during the celebrations, EJWP Executive Director Margret Mutsamvi emphasized the importance of empowering young people to actively participate in shaping Africa’s future.
“We cannot speak about Africa’s development without involving the youth. Young people are not just leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today and their voices matter in conversations around economic justice, debt, governance, and transformation,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Southern Africa Trust Country Director Janet Mudzviti highlighted the devastating impact of debt on young people across Africa, saying excessive national debt continues to affect access to employment opportunities, quality education, healthcare, and social services.
“The burden of debt is affecting the future of young people. Resources that could be invested into education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation are being redirected towards debt servicing. Young people therefore need to become active participants in governance processes and demand accountability in how public resources are managed,” she said.
Mudzviti also encouraged youths to utilise their creativity, digital platforms, and collective voices to advocate for economic justice and policy reforms that promote sustainable development and inclusivity.
The commemorations featured live performances from various local artists including Volts JT, Atenda Chinx, Kadijah, Boss Fire, Kurai Makore, DJ Destiny, and Killer Ace, among others. The performances blended entertainment with social consciousness, as artists used music and spoken word to address issues affecting communities across the continent.
Attendees also engaged in discussions surrounding Africa’s economic future, debt burden, unemployment, youth innovation, and the need for inclusive development. Speakers encouraged young Africans to use creativity, entrepreneurship, and advocacy as tools for driving change within their communities.
One of the attendees described the event as inspiring and educational, saying it created an important space for young people to express themselves and participate in conversations that directly affect their future.
The celebrations also highlighted the role of media and creative industries in amplifying youth voices and promoting awareness around social and economic justice issues.
Africa Day is commemorated annually on 25 May to celebrate African unity, independence, culture, and progress. This year’s celebrations at Sherwood Community Hub reflected a growing call for youth-driven solutions and collective action towards a more inclusive and economically empowered Africa.
