Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure, Zimpapers Politics Hub
EVERYTHING is in place for the official opening of the 33rd Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe today, at the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Mt Hampden. The proceedings will commence at 7.30am and will feature a keynote address by President Mnangagwa.
The event will include a variety of ceremonial activities, such as processions of child judges, the junior parliamentarians’ entrance into Parliament, the reading of the Proclamation and the procession of the Child President.
Newly-elected Child President, Lionel Mazarire — a Lower Six pupil from Chinhoyi Technical High School — will succeed Pious Nleya of Mzilikazi High School and deliver his maiden speech.
The opening coincides with the International Day of the African Child, commemorated annually on June 16 since 1991. The day honours the courageous uprising of schoolchildren in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976, who protested for better education under the apartheid regime.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: Progress since 2010,” aligns with Zimbabwe’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire, provided an update on preparations for the session, emphasising the importance of equipping young people to contribute meaningfully to their futures and to national development.
“This is a replica of our Parliament, and their voices and wishes will be taken into account in the operations of the Government,” he said.
The Junior Parliament serves as a leadership development platform, enabling representatives from all provinces to participate in Zimbabwe’s governance processes.
Since the advent of the Second Republic, significant legislative reforms have been introduced to enhance child rights. These include the Marriages Act of 2022, which criminalises child marriage, and the Education Amendment Act of 2020, which guarantees free basic education and protection for pregnant girls.
Additionally, the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam) now supports over 1,5 million children with school fees, uniforms and stationery.
The 33rd Junior Parliament is expected to usher in a new era of youth leadership and meaningful participation in national discourse. Child parliamentarians will present motions, raise concerns and share success stories — amplifying the voices of young Zimbabweans.
As President Mnangagwa has stated, “A nation that ignores the voice of its children ignores its own future.” This year’s session will reflect the Government’s continued commitment to inclusive policy-making, as young representatives debate issues affecting their peers in education, health and digital inclusion.
Established in 1991, the Junior Parliament aims to involve children in policy processes and advocate for child-friendly legislation, ensuring that every child in Zimbabwe has a voice.
