adminAuxilia Katongomara Saturday Leisure Correspondent
SINCE its launch in 1991, the Child Parliament has seen child legislators coming into office and leaving. Many have come and gone but for the past 22 years, there has not been a child President from Bulawayo, let alone Matabeleland. However, this year, in what some may deem as a miraculous twist of events, a determined young pupil from Bulawayo, lived his dream to become the first Child President from Bulawayo.
Saturday Leisure Correspondent Auxilia Katongomara (AK) caught up with His Excellency Ntandoyenkosi Moyo (NM), a Lower Sixth pupil at Milton High School to share more about his life and ‘political’ life.
AK: How are you Your Excellence and congratulations for winning the Presidential elections.
NM: I am fine, thank you.
AK: Tell us about yourself, who is Ntandoyenkosi Moyo and how old are you?
NM: Ntandoyenkosi Moyo is the first child President from Bulawayo; he is a determined young man who believes in living his dream, actually the ‘man of the moment’.
AK: So how did you manage to break the 22-year jinx to become the first child President from Bulawayo?
NM: As I have said before, I am a young man who believes in his dreams, by virtue of numbers, there is no way a candidate from Bulawayo can win the presidential race because we only have 19 constituents in Bulawayo and Harare has 35 and one would be outnumbered already. On 13 June, I became the victor, I beat nine other guys from different provinces.
AK:So you won the election by how many votes?
NM: I polled 77 votes and no one has won by such a margin
AK: How did you join the child Parliament?
NM: My dream to become a child parliamentarian began when I was in Form Three but unfortunately I lost the elections by five votes. I however did not give up.
I then became Senator for Bulawayo South this year and that’s when I told myself that this is the year that the Lord has made and here I am today. Believe me , dreams do come true, most people say if it has never happened its impossible but I told myself it has never been done but it is possible.
AK: So, Your Excellency how did you feel when the results were announced?
NM: (sighs) eish … its a moment that is priceless, I felt like I was dreaming , even when I told my parents , they couldn’t sleep because of joy. Everyone was happy for me, including my school mates.
AK: How old are you and what Form are you in?
NM: I am in Lower Six and I am 18 years old.
AK: Which subjects are you doing and whats your dream job?
NM: I am doing Arts, History, Geography and Ndebele, I want to be a lawyer, not just a lawyer but the greatest lawyer in this country.
AK: Oh really … so what does the Child President and the Parliamentarians do? What is it all about?
NM: The duty of the Child President and the legislators is to represent every child in Zimbabwe. We are the voice of every child in Zimbabwe. We make sure the Government pays attention to our needs.
Parliamentarians make presentations of concerns and problems of all children from their provinces which are then debated in Parliament. After that the concerns and problems are presented to
the Ministry.
As the Child President, I am the ambassador of every child in Zimbabwe. I am the main person representing the youth.
AK: Which schools did you attend and what activities do you do at school?
NM: I went to Mckeurtan Primary School and went to Milton High for my secondary education and that is where I am doing my A’s.
I am a Public Speaker and I am in the school’s Debate Club.
AK: What inspires you or who inspires you?
NM: I am inspired by any person in his or her field of profession who is dominating.
For example, I am inspired by a swimmer who is best at swimming.
AK: Will you pursue politics after school?
NM: Yes, definitely, my dream it to become the President of Zimbabwe, I am going to pursue anything to do with speaking, it is my passion. I also minister at church.
AK: Coming from a boys High School where several cases of indiscipline and bullying is rampant , how do you manage to be a disciplined boy?
NM: The only way to silence people is to set an example and prove people wrong.
AK: What music do you listen to?
NM: I love Rock, electro, gospel music and I also listen to any song that speaks to me.
AK: Are you dating?
NM 🙁 laughs) no comment
AK: Parting shot?
NM: Children of Zimbabwe it’s possible to realise your dream and be the man of the moment, if I can do it you can do it also.
Every dream has a demand. Sacrifice will win you favour and favour will win you success.
AK: All the best in your term of office.
NM:Thank you.
Online Reporter