By Staff Reporter

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Young Workers Conference has elected a new executive, giving young trade unionists a fresh leadership platform to advance the interests of young workers and shape the future of Zimbabwe's labour movement.

The conference, held under the theme “Organise, Mobilise, Lead: Young Workers Shaping the Future of Work for Economic and Social Justice,” brought together 110 delegations representing young workers from across the trade union movement.

Wesley Gatsi emerged as the new Chairperson after securing 64 votes, against Theophillus Kimbini, who polled 46 votes.

Gatsi's election comes at a critical time for young workers, who face growing challenges including unemployment, insecure employment, low wages, casualisation, limited social protection and the increasing informalisation of the economy.

Tatenda Nyamhunga was elected Vice Chairperson unopposed, while Gamuchirai Karata won the Secretary's position with 59 votes, defeating Tariro Simango, who received 51 votes.

The other elected office bearers are Blessing Mdeka, who secured 61 votes for Vice Secretary, defeating T. Hwende, who polled 48 votes, and Precious Sigiya, who was elected Treasurer with 61 votes against Mapanzure's 48.

The new leadership inherits an important mandate at a time when the world of work is undergoing rapid transformation. Technological change, the growth of the gig economy, artificial intelligence, informal employment and the changing nature of workplace organisation are creating new challenges for trade unions.

For Zimbabwe's young workers, these changes are occurring against a backdrop of limited formal employment opportunities and growing dependence on informal and precarious forms of work.

The new executive is therefore expected to strengthen the organisation of young workers while ensuring that their voices are reflected in broader trade union policy and national discussions on employment and economic development.

The conference theme places particular emphasis on organisation, mobilisation and leadership, signalling a determination to build a generation of young trade unionists capable of taking an active role in defending workers' rights and advancing social and economic justice.

The new executive will also have to confront the challenge of organising young workers who are outside traditional workplaces, including informal workers and those engaged in short-term, temporary and platform-based employment.

For the ZCTU, investing in young workers is also an investment in the future of the labour movement. Strong youth structures can provide a pipeline of new organisers and leaders while ensuring that trade unions remain relevant to younger generations entering an increasingly changing labour market.

The election of Gatsi and the new executive consequently represents more than a change of leadership. It provides an opportunity to place young workers at the centre of conversations about decent work, economic transformation, social protection and the future of employment in Zimbabwe.

With the mandate secured, the challenge before the new executive will now be to translate the conference resolutions and campaign theme into practical programmes that organise, mobilise and empower young workers across the country.

The message from the conference is clear: young workers do not want to be passive observers of the changing world of work — they want to organise, mobilise and lead.