THIS year's 21st February Movement celebrations will focus on hammering the need for young people to defend national sovereignty and make sure they are not left out of indigenisation programmes.

Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youths, Cde Absolom Sikhosana, said this yesterday at a national committee meeting for the 21st Movement fundraising held in Harare.

Preparations for this year's 21st movement to be held at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare are at an advanced stage.

Addressing representatives from various provinces, Cde Sikhosana said dates for the event will be advised in due course.

"The national chairman for the fundraising committee comes from the host province and is Cde Hlanganiso Matanganidze.

"His vice is selected from the next hosting province, which is Mashonaland Central and he will be announced soon.

"Chairman of the finance and fundraising committee is Cde Obert Mutasa," he said.

He said that the chairmen of the fundraising committee would co-ordinate efforts to hit the set target of US$500 000.

This year's theme will also be advised in due cause, said Cde Sikhosana.

He said the, "21st movement is the brainchild of Zanu-PF youths league but encompasses all Zimbabwean youths regardless of political affiliation.

"The main focus this year is on two important things, to plaster hard on the need of young people to defend the national sovereignty.

"We are a free and democratic nation and young people should grow up understanding that they should defend their sovereignty.

"Indigenisation is a programme to make sure that they are not left out of indigenisation programmes and empowerment as it is a vehicle that is taking young people to where they should live pretty and shine as captains of industry.

"We now have our patron who is none other than his Excellence Cde Robert Mugabe and we are trying to get youths to follow his legacy and emulate him as much as possible," he said.

A musical gala is lined up for the celebrations and this year there will be a "Bob 88", he said.

"Miss 21st movement is already on the move and by the time we celebrate, Miss 21st Movement would have been crowned," Cde Sikhosana said.

The 21st February Movement was established in 1986.

It seeks to inculcate in young Zimbabweans the principles and patriotism of its patron, Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe, who was born on that date in 1924.