7 000 SADC children for Regional World Children’s Day

TODAY, all roads lead to Victoria Falls where President Mnangagwa will host thousands of children and his counterparts from seven SADC countries to celebrate the 2024 Regional World Children’s Day.

More than 7 000 children from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are expected to gather at Baobab Primary School, the venue for the event.

The Government, in partnership with Unicef, is hosting the children from the region, and the majority arrived yesterday and participated in various activities ahead of today’s main event.

Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa, and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, are among the dignitaries in attendance. Deputy Prime Minister Mutorwa arrived on Thursday while Dr Mnangagwa arrived yesterday to interact with the children.

Yesterday’s proceedings started with selected young golfers from each country teeing off at the Elephant Hills Golf Course, and others playing chess at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School. Winners were expected to receive prizes at a dinner hosted by the First Lady last night.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, July Moyo, and Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo, joined by Chiefs Mvuthu and Dingane-Nelukoba of Hwange District, split the boys and girls into ixhiba and nhanga groups respectively and took the boys through some cultural talk.

The programme included the Gota/Ixhiba initiative being implemented by the First Lady to expand the programme into the region to inculcate a sense of Ubuntu in young girls and boys. Minister July Moyo encouraged the children to be responsible and participate in various activities, including sports.

To inspire the young golfers, golf expert Mr Mayemudzo Mashingaidze reminded them to aim higher to become professionals and that Zimbabwe is proud to have produced a former world number 1 golfer, Nick Price.

When interacting with the children, they expressed a need for justice for their future and a legal framework that protects them. They also need a platform to raise their issues and to be empowered. Chief Mvuthu encouraged the children to be well-behaved, while Chief Dingani Nelukoba reiterated the need for children to avoid early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

The world celebrates World Children’s Day annually on November 20 to mark the anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The celebrations were put on November 16 to avoid disturbing school programmes.

Since 2021, four countries — Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe — have come together to celebrate the Regional World Children’s Day jointly. Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa are invited to join the commemorations, making seven attending countries.

This year’s event runs under the theme “Educate and skill the African child for posterity”.

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana are expected to arrive this morning.

Each country’s Head of State or head of delegation will reflect on the Call to Action after reflections by children representatives from each nation. The children’s Torch of Hope will also be unveiled at the event.

The seven Heads of State and Heads of Delegations from participating countries will take the opportunity to renew their commitment towards the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. – @ncubeleon