The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi
I MET the honourable junior parliamentarian who is Minister of State for Manicaland at the Mutare District Merit Awards at Mutare Boys’ High School recently. She is young. She is beautiful. She is articulate. She exudes intellectual courage and confidence. She already commands unmistakable leadership skills. Her name is Honourable Leyean T. Thebhe (LTT).
She is 17 and has a long life ahead of her, if youthfulness can still promise longevity. At least she is still a bundle of charm and good health. If the merit awards were meant to celebrate her birthday I would sing, “We wish you many more,”
I then I exclaimed to her ‘Oh, little Mandi Chimene!’ She did not hesitate to say “Exaaaactly!” flashing a friendly charming smile of brave acknowledgment . . . approval of honour probably.
It was an honour indeed to interview Hon Leyean Thebhe. The interview was short and sweet: Read on:
MM: Hon, my name is Morris Mtisi. We meet here at the Mutare District Awards Ceremony and what an honour! May I talk to you Hon and get a little story for The Manica Post.
LTT: You are Mr Morris? What a pleasure to meet you . . .
MM: Live?
LTT: Exaaactly! (She loves to pull the middle part of the word. And I begin to love it.)
MM: When was this honour bestowed on you Hon? The anointment . . . when did it happen?
LTT: (kkkkk)-June 16, 2016-when Parliament opened this year. I am a Lower Six student at St Dominic’s High School in Mutare.
MM: That date reminds me of the Soweto Uprising in apartheid South Africa when African students went on a rampage protesting against use of Afrikaans as the lingua franca in schools. Anyway, what does your job involve exaaaaactly Hon? Do you really understand politics now, I’m sorry I must ask that minister, and no disrespect intended. You are only 17 and still a student. Surely politics could be too tricky or heavy to understand?
LTT: It’s not about politics Mr Mtisi. We are not politicians . . . not at all.
MM: Ahaaa! I see. Really? Then what is Junior Parliament about? I am sure people think it is about junior/little/ baby politics. Political issues within your size I thought. There was nothing like that when I went to school nearly forty years ago.
LTT: Kkkkkk. We are the voice of the voiceless…advocates for students and the rest of youths. We articulate their requests, interests, disgruntlements and hopes.
MM: That is politics, isn’t it Minister? Anyway, any challenges being a junior parliamentarian Minister?
LTT: Breakdown of communication. We have no system of communication to network our activities. And we are not known. Even some of the students at my school don’t know I am a Minister of State for Manicaland.
I am also personally worried about individuals, sometimes even teachers we come across and students asking for money from us. We don’t have money to donate or give to support income generating projects. Our job is to listen to youths, discuss and carry forward their requests and concerns to our Junior Parliament president who in turn will forward them to real parliament or State President.
MM: What have you benefited so far from being a junior parliamentarian?
LTT: Top of the list is leadership skills. I am a public speaker at school and my public speech has improved tremendously because I have opportunity to speak to youths and people on various subjects and topics. A public speaker thinks and talks, speaks clearly and intelligently. That talent is an asset in life.
MM: Anything you particularly wish government would do for the youths whose voice you are?
LTT: I applaud the Government for the STEM programme . . . many other things of course, but listen to this: After Form Four and Six Government must allow at these exit points, students to learn what goes on in Commerce and Industry to keep them busy and get to know the feel of the job market. Not for wages or salaries but for exposure . . . that’s all.
MM: Minister I have enjoyed talking to you. I have also seen you speak well, you are confident and already exude, display, radiate, excellent leadership skills.
LTT: Thank you for talking to me.
MM: You are welcome Minister. I am only doing my job. Don’t forget to work hard in your studies at St Dominic’s. I will be watching you and want to see you excel in everything you do, especially in your ‘A’ level examinations. Remember leaders are readers.
LTT: Will do my best. Thank you Mr Mtisi.
