Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
EVERY year on June 16, the African continent pauses to remember and reflect on a powerful symbol of youth activism, bravery and aspiration, the Day of the African Child.
Initiated in 1991 by the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), this day honours the lives of more than 700 schoolchildren who were killed during the 1976 Soweto Uprising in apartheid South Africa. Their crime: demanding better education and equal rights.
This year, under the African Union theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010”, countries across the continent are not only commemorating a tragic past but also strategising for a better, inclusive future. Zimbabwe has once again taken centre stage by aligning national efforts with continental objectives, reinforcing the importance of investing in children as custodians of tomorrow.
With over 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, Africa is often described as the world’s “youngest continent”. This demographic structure presents immense potential, but only if countries are willing to invest strategically in education, health, child protection and leadership development.
According to Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training acting director for communication and advocacy Ranson Madzamba, “June 16 is a reminder of the sacrifices young people make for their countries”.
“It is about advocating for children’s rights through proper budgeting and empowering them with leadership skills,”he said.
Any nation that aims for lasting prosperity must prioritise its children. From accessible education to child-friendly justice systems, from adequate healthcare to freedom from abuse, investment in children reaps exponential rewards in the form of resilient, innovative, and responsible citizens.
UNICEF Zimbabwe’s representative, Ms Etona Ekole, praised Zimbabwe’s strategic frameworks.
“Zimbabwe’s commitment is evident in its policy frameworks. The National Development Strategy 1, the Health and Education Strategic Plans, and the National Nutrition Strategy all reflect the understanding that children are at the heart of national development,” Ms Ekole said.
She also highlighted Zimbabwe’s innovative Child Budgeting Series, a collaborative initiative that evaluates how national budgets impact children. “These dialogues,” she said, “are not only technical exercises; they are a testament to political will and a vision for the future.”
Since the advent of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has seen tangible progress in protecting and promoting children’s rights. Laws have been revised, policies implemented and programmes scaled up.
One of the most significant legislative achievements was the passing of the Marriages Act in 2022, which outlawed child marriage by setting the minimum age at 18.
The Education Amendment Act of 2020 made free basic education a legal requirement and safeguarded the rights of pregnant girls to continue with their education.
The revitalisation of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) has supported over 1,5 million vulnerable learners with school fees, uniforms and stationery. Healthcare for children has also improved, with expanded vaccination programmes, child-friendly clinics and school feeding initiatives that now reach most public primary schools.
In 2023, Zimbabwe also enacted the Children’s Amendment Act to align the Children’s Act (2001) to the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), mainly sections 19 and 81.
The Act further affords children the needful protection and assistance so that they can fully assume their responsibilities within the community. Also, the amendment was meant to align the Act with international legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
Zimbabwe stands out in Africa for its institutionalisation of the Junior Parliament, an initiative that symbolises democratic inclusion and child participation. Each year, the International Day of the African Child coincides with the official opening of the Junior Parliament, where selected young people articulate their aspirations and concerns directly to the nation’s top leadership.
Tomorrow, President Mnangagwa will officially open the 33rd Junior Parliament at the New Parliament building in Mt Hampden.
“Young people will present their priority issues to the Government,” said Mr Madzamba.
“They will advocate for child-friendly policies and support outreach programmes across the country.”
Zimbabwe Youth Council director, Mr Brian Nyagwande, added that former junior parliamentarians would be launching an Alumni Association.
“This platform brings experience and mentorship to upcoming young leaders while helping us develop a child protection guidelines policy,” Mr Nyagwande said.
Globally, regions like Europe and North America have long invested in early childhood development as part of their economic growth strategies. Their focus on child welfare has translated into high human capital indexes, lower crime rates, and more equitable societies.
Africa, by comparison, has faced challenges stemming from resource constraints, conflict and policy inconsistency. However, initiatives like Agenda 2040 for Children and country-level efforts like those seen in Zimbabwe represent a growing consensus that the path to Africa’s prosperity runs through its children.
President Mnangagwa has consistently reiterated the importance of listening to the younger generation. In a previous Junior Parliament session, he stated: “A nation that ignores the voice of its children ignores its own future.”
Under his stewardship, children’s issues have been brought to the forefront of national discourse, not as an afterthought but as a central pillar of policy.
His Government’s focus on health, education, digital access, and child rights has transformed Zimbabwe into a model for youth empowerment.
As child parliamentarians prepare to raise their voices on education, justice, and digital inclusion, Zimbabwe’s investment in its children continues to speak volumes, not just of today’s progress, but of tomorrow’s promise.
The Day of the African Child is more than just a day of remembrance; it is a call to action. For Zimbabwe, the occasion reinforces its commitment to ensuring every child has a voice, a chance, and a future.
Through legislative reform, budgetary prioritisation, and inclusive governance, the nation continues to honour the legacy of the Soweto children, while carving a brighter path for its own.
As Africa’s young majority becomes its greatest asset, Zimbabwe’s child-focused strategies under President Mnangagwa demonstrate that investing in children is not just a moral imperative; it is the wisest national investment of all.
