Online Reporter
We publish here the keynote address delivered by President Mnangagwa at the official opening of the 33rd Junior Parliament session and commemoration of the Day of the African Child at New Parliament Building yesterday.
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Director of Ceremonies;
Vice President, Hon Gen (Rtd) Dr C GDN Chiwenga;
Vice President, Hon Col (Rtd) KCD Mohadi;
Minister of Defence and Chairman of ZANU PF, Hon OCZ Muchinguri-Kashiri;
Speaker of Parliament, Hon Advocate JFN Mudenda;
President of the Senate, Hon Amai MM Chinomona;
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Hon T Machakaire;
Other Honourable Ministers here present;
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M Rushwaya;
Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr V Hungwe;
Senior Government Officials;
The Child President, Your Excellency, Lionel Mazarire;
The Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Michael Ndambani;
The President of the Children’s Senate, Tinayeishe Manyere;
Members of the Children’s Parliament; Children’s Council;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is my singular honour and privilege to officially open the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe.
This annual gathering continues to be the hallmark of democratic expression, participation and inter-generational dialogue for the children and youth of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
This event is also an occasion for us to observe and commemorate the Day of the African Child, recognised throughout Africa on June 16, marking 49 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa.
As we gather with you, the youth of our country, we once again pay tribute to the brave young children who confronted the oppressive systems of colonialism and apartheid.
The historic bravery of that generation should inspire you, the current generation, to fight for our country’s interests and those of Africa, striving for greater success across all spheres of human endeavour.
The Day of the African Child serves as a constant reminder for us — from Government level to the family unit — of the need to be responsive to the requirements and challenges faced by you, our children and youth.
The theme for this event, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” aligns with the Government’s commitment to prioritising the rights and needs of our children, no matter where they live.
Through our transformational and inclusive developmental policies, we are leaving no child and no place behind.
Since the advent of the Second Republic, we have seen evident results from our efforts to strengthen the protection, empowerment and development of children and young people.
An increased number of children now have access to the Basic Education Assistance Module, with over 1,5 million vulnerable children accessing quality education through this facility.
Regarding food and nutrition security for our children, the National School Feeding Programme has been scaled up, particularly in districts prone to droughts, resulting in improved school attendance and learner performance.
The Child Protection, Disability and Youth Policies are aiding in safeguarding and mainstreaming matters relating to disability and youth development.
Under my administration, we are promoting and protecting children’s dignity, safety and potential, a principle embedded across our national development policies.
In advancing this cause, I commend all stakeholders for their unity of purpose, collective planning, budgeting and focused implementation of programmes and projects.
The progress we are witnessing is indeed accelerating the realisation of our aspirations as outlined in our national Constitution, the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030.
Honourable Speaker, Madam President; I applaud the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Education for the leadership and guidance it continues to provide to you, our young people, and the Junior Parliament in particular.
My Government expects the recommendations of the Comprehensive Evaluation of the Junior Parliament Programme to strengthen the overall impact of the Programme.
This forum must not be reduced to a mere talk show; the output of the Junior Parliament must inform our national development priorities as well as our programmes and projects.
The launch of the Junior Parliament Alumni Network is a development worth celebrating, as it should ensure that the leadership nurtured in this esteemed house remains a voice in national discussions concerning children and youth.
The Alumni should serve as a think tank and mentorship engine that prepares young people for the future ahead.
The rollout of the National Youth and Adolescent Protection and Safeguarding Policy guarantees that young people’s engagement is grounded in dignity and inclusion, providing mechanisms and empowering institutions to act responsibly in protecting our youth.
Technical and vocational skills are critically important in our quest to realise our national vision.
I urge you, our young people, to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by my Government as we work to improve the quality of our living standards.
As a Government, we continue to strengthen, expand and equip Vocational Training Centres across the country.
At these centres, young Zimbabweans learn diverse trades, from agriculture and engineering to ICT and hospitality, which directly feed into our economy.
By broadening vocational training, youth are empowered to become entrepreneurs, capable of creating companies and industries while facilitating wealth creation and employment opportunities.
This supports our goal of fostering an industrialised, modern and knowledge-based economy.
Under our Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Strategy, my Government has launched a Digital Skills Development Programme targeting 1,5 million young Zimbabweans, focusing on basic ICT literacy, coding, software use, content creation, e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship.
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to unfold, I expect that the capacitation and development of skills to harness opportunities availed by Artificial Intelligence among our young people will be prioritised and scaled up.
Our young boys and girls must be well prepared for the jobs of the future.
In light of this imperative, the need to transform our Vocational Training Centres into digital learning spaces and repurpose underutilised facilities, such as post offices, into community innovation hubs cannot be overemphasised.
It is commendable that hundreds of centres across all provinces are being equipped to train youth in high-demand digital skills.
Ladies and Gentlemen; youth service, patriotism, loyalty and volunteerism are key components of our ongoing national development agenda.
I am confident that our country will, in the medium to long term, see behavioural change and a positive societal impact as a result of the rebranded Youth Service in Zimbabwe programme.
The national values of unity, peace, hard work, discipline and service to others must be nurtured at both family and school levels.
“Nyika inovak wa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhululeke ngabanikazi balo.”
In light of this philosophy, you, our young people, must never shy away from deploying your unique talents and creativity to impact your educational institutions, communities and the country as a whole.
As our Junior Parliamentarians, the concerns, insights and highlights you have shared with us in this esteemed house are most welcome.
You have indeed demonstrated that you represent the hopes and aspirations of the many millions of children and young people in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
Under this democratic initiative, you are entrusted not only to speak but to lead.
I urge you to be champions of child protection, especially for the vulnerable among you.
You must be the voices of peace, unity and innovation, rejecting peer pressure, drug and substance abuse, as well as violence.
Shun all other social ills, as these undermine the prospects of a brighter and prosperous future.
You, the children and youth of our country, are part of our nation and a critical pillar that defines Zimbabwe’s development trajectory long after 2030.
Therefore, your debates must be bold, your ideas practical, and your conduct honourable.
As we march together towards an upper-middle-income economy, I would like to reiterate that my Government will continue to invest in every child’s health, safety and education.
We are fostering an ecosystem that enables you to embrace science, technology and innovation.
Equally, the promotion of your participation in matters that affect you at every level, from the village right up to the national level, is being scaled up.
We are a listening Administration and recommit to planning and budgeting with all of society in mind.
We shall also continue to act boldly on your development concerns, ensuring that no child and no place is left behind.
As the young people of our great nation, I urge you to conduct yourselves responsibly.
Always love and defend our country, and listen to the wise counsel of your parents, guardians, teachers and elders in the communities.
In conclusion, I extend special congratulations to the 33rd Child President, Lionel Mazarire; the Speaker of the Junior Parliament, Michael Ndambani; and all elected representatives. Makorokoto, Amhlophe. I wish you success during your tenure.
With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe officially open.
God bless you all. God bless Zimbabwe. I thank you.
