On Saturday, the 27th of April 2024, the International Youth Seminar took place at the Guta Ra Mwari Headquarters in Tshabalala, Bulawayo. The event was marked by the physical presence of over 800 participants at the venue, and an additional 50 attendees joined the gathering virtually. This congregation served as a testament to the unity and connectivity of youth from various corners of the world. It was indeed a remarkable day that fostered global youth interaction and collaboration.

The program Directors where Elder B Chibanda(Midlands), Keith Sibanda(HQ) & Semkelisiwe Jane Mhlanga (Mat North).

The day started off with a joint sitting where Evangelist K Ndlovu (VC) gave the opening remarks & officially opened the seminar. He was followed by Evangelist P Hikwa (Botswana) who gave the religious note.

The youths received a presentation delivered by Elder S Dlamini (HQ), who is an expert in Financial Literacy. The primary objective of his discourse was to equip the youth with the necessary knowledge to make intelligent decisions regarding their expenditures, cultivate responsible spending habits, and effectively plan for their future.

Subsequently, Elder Z Sibanda (UK) took the stage to discuss the topic of social media. He emphasized the potential risks associated with posting personal photographs on social media platforms, which could potentially lead to identity theft. He further stressed the importance of being aware of the individuals one interacts with in the digital realm.

In addition, Elder Sibanda referenced a survey conducted prior to the seminar. The survey focused on the issue of drug abuse and the challenges young people face in maintaining chastity. The findings revealed that peer pressure was the predominant factor contributing to the difficulties encountered by the youth. This underscored the importance of choosing one’s friends wisely. The seminar served as a platform for enlightening the youth about these critical issues and guiding them towards making informed decisions in their lives.

Age Group Discussions

The seminar was subsequently divided into focused group discussions.

The first group, comprising of individuals aged 13-16, engaged in a dialogue about the behavior of a Guta Ra Mwari child. The objective of this discussion was to facilitate an understanding of the concept of modesty in relation to attire, character, and behavior. The discussion also aimed to equip the youths with strategies to manage challenges and pressures they encounter in maintaining modesty and resisting peer pressure.

The second group, consisting of individuals aged 17-20, deliberated on the topics of Relationships, Mindfulness, and Self-care practices. The discussion was designed to aid the youth in recognizing the potential pitfalls associated with premature relationships, peer pressure, and substance abuse. It also aimed to foster an understanding of the influence of modesty on self-esteem, body image, and provided guidance on managing stress and temper.

The third group, encompassing individuals aged 21-24, also discussed Relationships, Mindfulness and Self-care practices. The conversation was tailored to assist the youth in identifying the risks associated with relationships, dating individuals of affluence and outsiders, and seeking assistance when confronted with sensitive challenges involving authoritative figures such as lecturers. The discussion also highlighted the potential harm to Guta Ra Mwari children in terms of emotional distress and loss of chastity.

The Senior Youth engaged in a discourse on the topic of ‘Crossing the Bridge to Marriage’. The discussion aimed to underscore the importance of praise and planning towards marriage. It also encouraged the building of courage to work diligently on physical, spiritual, mental, and social fronts. The conversation further enlightened the youth about the dangers of dating individuals of affluence and outsiders, and the risks of emotional distress and loss of chastity for Guta Ra Mwari children.

In conclusion, all groups reconvened for a summary of the individual group discussions and all unanswered questions were directed to youth elders for answering during the course of the year.

ENTERTAINMENT

After the group discussions, there was an entertainment session where we got sweet melodies from the Main Youth Choir & a poem from Thaluso Da Poet.

Team Building Session

After Lunch, youths changed into their sports attire for the team building activities. The activities were led by Elder S Dube (HQ) & Thando Nkomo (RSA). It was a great opportunity for youths to build new friendships and learn how to work together. We had games such as Relay, Skip rope, Manhunt & tug of war where teams where split into their age groups. The air filled with sounds of war Crys as the team members cheered their fellows on during the proceeding of the games.

After the Team Building Activities, all youths reconvened in the hall for the closing remarks by the Co Ordinator Evangelist M Khumalo (RSA). A Benediction by HM L Ngwenya (HQ) & a photo session by the Tech Team to wrap up the day.

We praise God for a successful 2024 International Youth Seminar, and we look forward to the 2025 IYS. Forever