Tinaye Agere
Theseus Shambare in VICTORIA FALLS
Victoria Falls is warming up to host the regional commemorations of World Children’s Day, an event that is expected to draw thousands of children from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, with delegates having started arriving yesterday.
Zimbabwe, in partnership with UNICEF, will host over 7 000 children from six other SADC countries: Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, for the commemorations.
The day is observed every November 20 and this year’s event is held tomorrow at Baobab Primary School in Victoria Falls.
The event will run under the theme, “Educate and Skill the African Child for Posterity”.
Permanent Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Simon Masanga, provided an update on the preparations during a media briefing last night.
“We had another busy day here in Victoria Falls as we continue to step up our preparations for the regional commemorations of the World Children’s Day,” said Mr Masanga.
Mr Masanga confirmed the arrival of children from all ten Zimbabwean provinces, except Matabeleland North province, which is expected to arrive today.
“The children from the neighbouring countries Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi and Mozambique have already arrived with Botswana having the largest contingent of children numbering over 40,” he said.
A highlight of the event will be a golf tournament hosted by the First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, while other children will participate in a chess tournament.
“Tomorrow we expect the children to participate in a golf tournament to be hosted by the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Auxillia Mnangagwa, with some children taking part in a chess tournament at one of the high schools here in Victoria Falls,” Mr Masanga said.
A number of dignitaries are expected to arrive today.
“We witnessed Minister July Moyo receiving the Deputy Prime Minister from Namibia, and tomorrow we expect many more dignitaries to arrive,” Mr Masanga said.
The main event will take place on Saturday, November 16th, at Baobab Primary School, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa will host his SADC counterparts.
Over 7,500 children are anticipated to attend this grand occasion, which will be broadcast live on ZBC and other social media platforms.
“We expect a total of 7,500 children to converge at Mosea Tuna High School for that big event. So we are ready and things are shaping up here in Victoria Falls,” Masanga said.
Masanga expressed confidence in the preparations and emphasized the importance of protecting children’s rights.
“We want to make this day memorable for every child that will participate in the thousands, if not millions, that will be watching the proceedings live on ZBC and other social media platforms,” he said.
He invited the public to join in the celebrations and to support the cause of child protection.
“So join us in celebrating this big event, which recognises and reminds everyone of the importance of protecting the rights of the children and also protecting our children in general,” he said.
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Online Reporter