25 May 2026

Tsabong District has officially introduced its newly formed Tsabong District Children’s Consultative Forum Committee. 

This landmark structure is mandated to ensure that the voices, concerns and aspirations of children are not only heard but integrated into local and national decision-making processes.

Speaking during a Tsabong District Full Council meeting on May 22, the forum chairperson, Mr Maduo Maakabi emphasised that the establishment of the forum marked a profound shift from viewing children merely as passive beneficiaries of social services to recognising them as critical stakeholders in modern society. 

Mr Maakabi declared that the core mandate of the Children’s Consultative Forum was to allow them to participate in shaping policies and programmes concerning their welfare, protection, education, health and development. 

The initiative, he said, aimed to bring a critical youth perspective to civic leadership, ensuring that local government decisions directly reflected the lived experiences of the district’s youngest citizens.

Mr Maakabi said the unique geographical and socio-economic hurdles that young people faced across the region, was characterised by vast, rural landscapes that limited youth potential and well-being.

 According to the forum leader, local households and youth were heavily impacted by high rates of poverty, unemployment, rising incidents of school dropouts, substance abuse and a worrying spike in teenage pregnancies. 

These systemic issues he relayed were further compounded by highly limited access to technology and information platforms. 

“This socio-economic situation is particularly severe for children living in remote settlements, where basic access to information and robust child protection services remained constrained,” he stated.

Despite these daunting everyday realities, Mr Maakabi praised the enduring resilience, potential and determination shown by youth, noting that their hardships had not broken their spirit or their desire to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The Forum has already proven its capability on a wider stage, demonstrating that its members are ready to engage in high-level policy discussions.

 Recently, the committee participated in major national platforms, notably contributing to the drafting of Botswana’s Children’s Report to the United Nations. 

Mr Maakabi noted that this monumental achievement proved that even children from remote areas possess valuable experiences and perspectives that deserve both national and international attention.

For his part, the Tsabong District Council chairperson, Mr Elias Motlhanke applauded the initiative, describing it as a progressive step toward the region’s development.

 He urged stakeholders and all members of the community to rally behind the children and give the committee the maximum support required to execute its mandate. ENDS