Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa is today expected to officially open the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
The event will run under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa”.
The Junior Parliament provides a platform for children to debate issues affecting their lives, engage policymakers and contribute ideas on programmes and policies that impact young people.
It brings together junior parliamentarians representing all the country’s 210 constituencies.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, some Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials have already arrived.
Junior army mounts guard of honour
Dzivarasekwa Barracks Primary School has mounted the Guard of Honour as part of the proceedings.
Child President, Tinashe Mugodhi of St Mary’s School in Harare, is expected to inspect the Guard of Honour.
President Mnangagwa is expected to arrive shortly.
Scenes at the Parliament Building
President Mnangagwa arrives
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden for the official opening of the Junior Parliament.
The President has gone into briefing and is expected to lead proceedings shortly.
It’s a colorful ceremony defined by military regalia, national colour’s and a bright sunny day.
What is Zimbabwe’s Junior Parliament?
As President Mnangagwa officially opens the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament today, attention has once again turned to one of Zimbabwe’s longest-running child participation platforms, which gives young people an opportunity to engage in governance and advocate for issues affecting children.
The Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe, also known as the Child Parliament, is a national platform established to promote children’s participation in decision-making and governance.
It mirrors the country’s parliamentary system, with child representatives elected from constituencies across the country’s provinces to debate issues affecting children and present recommendations to Government and policymakers.
The initiative provides children with a forum to speak on matters such as education, health, child protection, climate change, disability inclusion and children’s rights.
It also nurtures leadership, public speaking and civic engagement skills among participants.
Each annual session elects a Child President, Child Deputy Presidents, Child Ministers and Junior Parliamentarians who assume roles similar to those in the national Government and Parliament.
During official sittings, the young legislators debate motions, adopt resolutions and engage Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues affecting Zimbabwe’s children.
The official opening of the Junior Parliament is traditionally presided over by the President of Zimbabwe, underscoring Government’s recognition of children’s voices in national development.
According to UNICEF, the Child Parliament provides an inclusive platform for children to advocate for child-friendly legislation and policies while strengthening meaningful participation in governance.
Parliament of Zimbabwe outreach programmes also describe it as an important avenue for educating young people on the legislative process and encouraging active citizenship from an early age.
Child President Tinashe Mugodhi inspects the Junior Guard of honor at the New Parliament Building
Tinashe Mugodhi of St. Mary’s High School, Harare Province, was elected as the new Child President, taking over from Lionel Mazarire.
The Junior Parliament features child representatives from all of the country’s 10 provinces. They use the platform to advocate for critical issues such as child protection, education, mental health, and substance abuse.
President Mnangwagwa joins Junior Parliament
President Mnangagwa has now walked into Parliament ahead of the Junior Parliament sitting.
Child President Tinashe Mugodhi will get into the chambers later on.
Upon entering the Chamber, the Child Speaker of the National Assembly notified the House of the State of the Nation Address to be addressed by Child President Mugodhi.
After the address, debate will ensue as Child Parliamentarians discuss national issues affecting children.
Senior Ministers will then respond to issues raised during plenary.
President Mnangagwa will then deliver a keynote address focusing on issues affecting the children.
Meet Zimbabwe’s Child Parliament
Zimbabwe’s Junior Parliament has ushered in a new leadership team led by newly elected Child President Tinashe Mugodhi, who takes over the mantle of representing the country’s children and championing their interests at the highest levels of youth participation in governance.
A learner at St Mary’s High School, Mugodhi succeeds Lionel Mazarire, the 33rd Child President, whose tenure focused on advancing children’s rights, improving access to education, combating drug and substance abuse, ending child marriages and promoting greater youth participation in national governance.
Supporting Mugodhi in the new administration are Coline Mutepfa of St Augustine’s High School, Manicaland Province, and Kundi Chimbuya of Thornhill High School, Midlands Province, who were elected Child Vice Presidents.
Completing the new leadership is Tarirana Prince Marley of Masvingo Province, who was elected Speaker of the Junior Parliament and will preside over the institution’s legislative business.
The newly elected executive is expected to lead the Junior Parliament in advocating for children’s rights while ensuring the voices of young Zimbabweans continue to influence national policy discussions.
Education rights central to development: Child President
Child President Tinashe Mugodhi has called for the full integration of children returning from South Africa into learning institutions.
Addressing the Child Parliament, Child President Mugodhi said every child has the right to access education.
“I call on relevant authorities to ensure that the children of returnees are prioritised and integrated into the schooling system as soon as possible,” he said.
“Every child has a right to education. Education has been disrupted by some of these children returning from South Africa, hence the need for authorities to intervene.”
The Child President also congratulated President Mnangagwa for the country’s election to the United Nations Security Council.
“I would like to congratulate the President for Zimbabwe’s election to the United Nations Security Council,” he said.
“It’s a positive development for peace and by extension, children’s welfare.
“I also congratulate the President for signing Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 into law. It’s development-oriented; hence as children, we support it.”
‘Children’s issues matter’
UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Ms Etona Ekole congratulated the Child MPs for their election as child representatives.
“We are belatedly commemorating the Day of African Child, which is important to all of us. It reminds us of young people in Soweto who rose up to demand better education and dignity. They argued that children’s issues matter,” said Ms Ekole.
She also congratulated Zimbabwe for its election onto the United Nations Security Council, saying this shows the international community’s confidence on Zimbabwe.
She said the UN family in Zimbabwe is ready to work with the Government in all development work.
She went on to challenge Child Parliamentarians to be exemplary.
“You represent millions of children across the country, including children with disabilities, those affected with climate change and other challenges,” said Ms Ekole.
“This year’s theme reminds us access to water is a fundamental human right. Children need clean facilities and basic needs to achieve their full potential.”
Ministers take note of junior MPs concerns
Cabinet Ministers have assured Zimbabwe’s Junior Members of Parliament that Government is actively responding to concerns they raised during debate, with significant progress already made in improving access to clean water, information communication technology (ICT), sanitation and menstrual health in schools.
Responding to issues raised by the young legislators during the official opening of the Junior Parliament, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo said Government has reduced the number of schools with no access to clean water to 25 percent.
He said through various Government programmes, the target is to ensure that every school has access to running clean water by the end of the year.
“Several programmes, including the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, have enabled us to minimize this challenge,” he said.
“Our target is to ensure that by end of year, all schools should have clean running water.
“Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous unregistered schools operating without clean water, we are warning them that the law will take its course.”
On digital learning, Minister Moyo said Government continues to roll out ICT infrastructure in schools, including the distribution of laptops and tablets to learners.
He revealed that more than 8 000 Starlink internet kits have already been distributed in schools across the country to improve internet connectivity and enhance access to digital education.
Addressing concerns over sanitation and menstrual health, Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora assured the Junior Parliament that Government, together with development partners, is already providing free sanitary wear to schools.
He said schools and communities that are yet to benefit from the programme will soon receive supplies as distribution continues nationwide.
Junior Parliament key to youth participation in governance: Minister Machakaire
The Junior Parliament remains an important platform for promoting democratic participation and leadership among young people, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational
Training Tino Machakaire has said.
Speaking at the official opening of the Junior Parliament, Minister Machakaire said Government was committed to strengthening the institution to ensure children and young people actively participate in shaping decisions that affect them.
“The Junior Parliament continues to be one of the most important platforms through which governments, nations and responsible citizens share democratic participation and leadership,” said Minister Machakaire.
He said since the last official opening in June 2025, his ministry had continued to build the institution as a strategic framework for youth participation in governance.
“Beyond developing leadership, this programme is strengthening collaboration across Government institutions, ensuring that children are not merely consulted but are actively involved in shaping conversations that affect the institution,” he said.
“This is what inclusive governance looks like.”
Love your country and be productive: President
President Mnangagwa has urged young parliamentarians to love their country, embrace available opportunities and become productive citizens.
Speaking at the official opening of the Junior Parliament at New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden today, President Mnangagwa said young people must appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations in the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence.
He said many young people sacrificed their education, families and communities to fight colonial rule, paving the way for the freedom enjoyed today.
“Love your country. Be productive. Take all chances,” he said.
“Many young people left their families, school, friends and communities to fight brutality and resist the colonial regime.”
He went on to cite former liberation fighter and Zanu PF Chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, as an example.
“There is a little girl who joined us in the liberation struggle. Today she is chairman of the party,” he said.
The President said Zimbabweans are now able to determine their own future because of the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle.
“Today we can chart our own path. We are masters of our destiny,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said young people must uphold the values that shaped the country’s independence, including African identity, culture and solidarity.
“We fought for independence, sovereignty, freedom and democracy for all,” he said.
“Now, under the African Union, we are working to realise Vision 2063, the Africa we all want, an Africa that is united, peaceful and integrated.”
The President said Government was committed to ensuring children have access to quality education, healthcare and a safe environment.
