21 Nov 2021

Four heads of state who attended Saturday’s World Children’s Day commemoration at Kazungula Bridge have resolved to form a network of presidents for children and young people.

The four were President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Namibian, Zambian and Zimbabwean counterparts   Dr Hage Geingob, Mr Hakainde Hichilema and Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa respectively.

Host President Masisi said the event would henceforth be hosted on a rotational basis by the four countries while an invitation would be extended to other heads of state.

President Masisi and his fellow heads of state did not only grace the occasion but engaged with young people during a panel discussion  on ‘The Future we Want...Taking Bold Steps to Ensure that Every Child has the Best Opportunities and Skills’.

Dr Masisi, who is the Generation Unlimited SADC global leader, said the event had given the four neighbouring states a rare opportunity to share experiences and compare notes.

“Personally, this event has reignited the issue of conversing with children at decision making level,” he said.

The President said Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises education as a legal right for every child, needed to be revisited.

He concurred with children and young people who took part in the panel discussion that the advent of COVID-19 had made internet connectivity a must-have in schools. “In Botswana, we have started to rollout connectivity and in the next two years all schools should be connected,” he said.

Dr Masisi said efforts were also ongoing to provide Wi-Fi in over 200 dikgotla.

Echoing President Masisi’s sentiments, Dr Geingob said with a technological revolution, that would alter the way people lived and interacted, fast approaching, countries needed to ensure young people were exposed to technology.

He reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to the general welfare of its children and young people.

President Mnangagwa commended Dr Masisi for coming up with the initiative for the four countries to assemble and share views on youth-related issues.

He said as much as the youth had expectations from their leaders, they should reciprocate by making meaningful contributions to their countries.

“It is true that there is need to create an enabling environment for you to excel and showcase your talent,” he said adding that Zimbabwe had an array of initiatives geared at empowering young people such as youth bank and innovation hubs. 

“We want to leave behind competitive societies,” he said.

President Hichilema concurred with his counterparts that youth issues should be incorporated into the broader scheme of decision making.

Youth issues, he said, were fundamental matters requiring concerted efforts from all stakeholders especially those charged with making decisions.

President Hichilema said there was need for a holistic approach to children and young people’s health to reduce their mortality rate.

 “If we can secure the youth, we would have secured the future,” he said.

In one of the activities, four young panelists; Botswana’s Junior Chopiro, Rivaldo Kavanga of Namibia, Zimbabwe’s Nkosinathi Nyathi and Yande Banda of Zambia shared experiences in relation to the theme: ‘Reimagine the Future for Every Child’.

They called for action on the part of their leaders.

Giving a vote of thanks, Ms Sunka Reginah of Zambia’s River View Secondary School said by availing themselves, the four heads of state had demonstrated love and commitment towards the wellbeing of children.

“Our countries working together with UNICEF has demonstrated that indeed we are the future leaders,” she said.

Other activities to mark the day  included lighting up Kazungula Bridge blue, a symbolic walk on the bridge by children and traditional and modern games.ends