Online Reporter
Online Reporter
THE Junior Parliament has elected Tinashe Mugodhi of St Mary’s High School in Harare as the country’s new Child President, ushering in a new leadership expected to champion children’s rights and amplify voices of young people in national development.
Mugodhi succeeds Lionel Mazarire, who served as the 33rd Child President after his election last year.
During his tenure, Mazarire used the platform to advocate for children’s rights, improved education, action against drug and substance abuse, child marriages and greater youth participation in governance.
Mugodhi will be deputised by Coline Mutepfa of St Augustine’s High School in Manicaland province and Kundi P Chimbuya of Thornhill High School in Midlands province, who were elected as vice presidents.
Meanwhile, Tarirana Prince Marley of Masvingo province was elected Speaker of the Junior Parliament.
The elections come as the Junior Parliament continues to serve as Zimbabwe’s premier platform for children’s participation in governance, allowing young representatives to debate issues affecting their peers and engage directly with policymakers.
The institution mirrors the country’s Parliament, with child legislators representing constituencies from across all provinces.
Established in 1991 following Zimbabwe’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Junior Parliament was created to ensure children have a structured platform to influence policies and advocate for legislation that promotes their welfare.
It has since become one of the country’s longest-running youth leadership programmes.
The Child President serves as the symbolic head of the Junior Parliament and represents millions of Zimbabwean children, presenting their concerns on issues ranging from education, health and child protection to climate change, mental health, digital safety and substance abuse.
