Zim to host World Children’s Day celebrations

Africa Moyo

Preparations for this year’s regional World Children’s Day celebrations, to be hosted in Zimbabwe, are at an advanced stage.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, July Moyo, briefed Cabinet on the forthcoming event, to be hosted in Victoria Falls from November 15 to 17.

The official event is set for November 16.

President Mnangagwa, who is SADC Chairperson, will officiate at the event.

He will be joined by Heads of State from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa.

Children will interact with their Heads of State and Government, presenting to them an updated Call-for-Action, building up from previous commitments. The event will run under the theme, “Educate and skill the African child for posterity.”

This year’s event is expected to spotlight inclusive, high-quality education, which aligns with the African Union’s 2024 focus.

Last year, the event was held in the coastal city of Walvis Bay, Namibia where Vice President Kembo Mohadi represented President Mnangagwa.

At the event, children amplified their voices about policies that impact their future.

The regional World Children’s Day celebrations started off with four sister republics namely Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. But at last year’s event, there were calls by some delegates to have the entire SADC bloc being party to the pledge of continuing to champion children’s rights and to give them hope for a brighter future.

The first meeting was held at the Kazungula quadripoint in Botswana in 2021, then in Lusaka in 2022 and Walvis Bay last year and Victoria Falls this year.