21 Nov 2021

This year’s World Children’s Day theme: Reimagine the Future For Every Child, is a challenge for all to ensure a future with access to services promoting children’s  rights and wellbeing.

“The theme further challenges for an environment where every child will feel safe and be given the opportunity to be heard, and where the justice system will uphold the rights of the children and protect them from harm.” 

This was said Saturday by Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary School pupil and also Botswana’s Children Consultative Forum national chairperson, Anelisa Cruickshank, when welcoming delegates to the World Children’s Day commemoration in Kasane.

She called for all to unite and allow children to develop themselves and reach their full potential. Anelisa urged the presidents in attendance, Generation Unlimited SADC global leader Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi,  Mr Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Zimbabwe’s Mr Emmerson Mnangangwa and Dr Hage Geingob of Namibia to ensure implementation of recommendations and resolutions from the day’s discussions.

 Doing so would give the presidents an opportunity to look back and appreciate the efforts made to promote the involvement of children in decision making, she said.

Anelisa appealed to all governments and sectors to put more resources towards addressing child-related issues as well as in engaging children. Another learner, Cleric Malikwe of Namibia, said children living with disabilities had a challenge of accessing buildings without ramps.

The emotional Cleric said some fellow learners’s handwriting was illegible but they were expected to write final examinations.

 “I doubt they will make it in the examinations,” he said breaking into tears. UNICEF regional director - Eastern and Southern Africa Mr Mohamed Malick Fall said having four heads of states come together to mark the day was a first in the history of UNICEF.

The commemoration,  which also marked UNICEF’s 75th anniversary, was graced by First Lady Neo Masisi and her Zambian counterpart Ms Mutinta Hichilema.ends