By Ziyah News Reporter
NEWLY inducted Junior Councillors in Beitbridge have been called upon to take an active role in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The move by local authorities is aimed at positioning young leaders at the forefront of community transformation and peer-driven advocacy.
The call follows a joint induction workshop hosted by the Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) and the Municipality of Beitbridge (MOB), where a new cohort of youth leaders was equipped with key leadership and civic engagement skills.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, senior councillor Angeline Tauya, who oversees the Junior Council in the Municipality of Beitbridge, emphasised the urgent need for youth-led solutions to the growing drug problem.
“These young leaders are not just representatives; they are ambassadors of change. We are encouraging them to take a leading role in raising awareness and influencing their peers to stay away from drugs,” said Tauya.
She noted that drug and substance abuse remains one of the most pressing challenges affecting young people in Beitbridge, a border town that faces unique social pressures.
“I urge the junior councillors to lead by example and to use their platforms in schools and communities to advocate for healthier lifestyles. Their voices carry weight among their peers,” she said.
The two-day induction programme equipped the students with skills in public speaking, leadership ethics, and community engagement, preparing them to address real-life issues affecting youth in both urban and rural wards.
The Junior Council, a child-led and apolitical structure, mirrors Zimbabwe’s senior local government system and serves as a bridge between young people and decision-makers.
Members are typically selected from secondary schools through a competitive process involving nominations, interviews, and, in some cases, elections.
Among the newly appointed leaders in the Municipality of Beitbridge are Junior Mayor Karen Chikwanda of Vhembe High School and Deputy Junior Mayor Nsingo Polite of St Joseph Secondary School. Other representatives include Tallula Nyamayaro, who will serve as Junior Town Clerk, alongside ward councillors drawn from various local schools.
In the rural district structure, Alice Ndou was appointed Council Chairperson, with Bright Ndou serving as Vice Chairperson, supported by a team of committee leaders representing different wards.
As they begin their term, the junior councillors are expected to spearhead awareness campaigns, engage fellow students, and work closely with senior councillors and community stakeholders to address drug abuse and other youth-related challenges.