President Emmerson Mnangagwa with Child Service Chiefs at the 32nd Junior Parliament Opening in Mt. Hampden
By George Swarei
Mt. Hampden, July 3, 2024— President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the 32nd Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe and commemorated the Day of the African Child in Mt. Hampden on Wednesday, unveiling a bold vision for youth empowerment and education.
In his address, President Mnangagwa congratulated the newly elected members of the Junior Parliament and highlighted the significance of their roles. He commended Junior President Pious Lwandile Nleya for his election victory and urged all Junior Parliamentarians to actively participate in governance and bring attention to the challenges faced by Zimbabwean children.
Members of the Junior Call on Parade during the Child Parliament Opening ceremony
“The Junior Parliament has been a vital platform for leadership development and advocacy for the past 32 years. It allows young representatives from all provinces to engage in the governance of our country,” Mnangagwa stated. “Your voices are crucial in building our motherland.”
The President stressed the importance of the Junior Parliament as a strategic institution for the youth, noting that this year’s session is the first to be held at the New Parliament Building, which will also host the SADC Summit in August. He urged the young leaders to use this opportunity to learn about national policies and developmental projects.
“The government is committed to developing you, our young people, into productive citizens and responsible leaders of tomorrow,” Mnangagwa said. He praised the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training for its ongoing efforts to enhance youth programs.
The address also focused on the educational initiatives being implemented by the government. Mnangagwa highlighted the expansion of digital and ICT-based learning platforms and the construction of new schools to improve access to quality education. He reiterated the importance of education in achieving the national Vision 2030.
“Our administration is dedicated to rolling out a learning system based on digital platforms, ensuring that more children have access to educational material and specialized teachers,” he stated.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga in Mt. Hampden
The President reflected on the historical significance of the Day of the African Child, commemorating the Soweto Massacre of 1976. He called on the youth to honor Africa’s liberation heritage and remain proud of their identity as Zimbabweans and Africans.
“We belong to a region with a rich liberation heritage and vast natural resources. Take pride in this history and never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom and dignity,” Mnangagwa urged.
Addressing the issue of drug and substance abuse, the President called on the youth to take an active role in combating this problem. He encouraged them to develop youth-friendly activities and report incidents of drug dealing to authorities.
“It is heartbreaking that many of our young people are affected by drug and substance abuse. I challenge you to raise your voices and scale up your activities to fight this menace,” Mnangagwa said.
The President thanked the Junior Parliament for their deliberations and urged them to use the knowledge gained to benefit their communities. He declared the 32nd session of the Junior Parliament officially open.
“Your individual and collective energies must be channeled towards community and national development. Remain exemplary and good ambassadors of servant leadership,” Mnangagwa concluded.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the First Lady, Vice Presidents, senior government officials, and members of the Junior Parliament.
