Harare, (New Ziana) –Representatives from Southern African Development Community countries will next month converge at Baobab Primary School in Hwange, Matabeleland North province for the regional World Children’s Day celebrations.
The World Children’s Day takes place each year on 20 November to mark the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989.
This year, the World Children’s Day theme calls on adults to listen to the future. Last year, the celebrations were held at Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said his Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare counterpart, July Moyo had updated Cabinet on preparations for the day to be held on November 16.
Children from seven SADC countries that include Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe will attend the event.
“The event will also be attended by approximately 5 000 to 10 000 children, with the majority of them coming from the Matabeleland provinces, while 450 children will come from other provinces. Local schools in Hwange are also expected to participate and attend the main event,” said Dr Muswere.
“A range of activities will be conducted across the country building up to the main event and most of them will be conducted in Matabeleland North province and at Ndhlovu Secondary School as a way of sensitizing Zimbabwean children on the historic regional event. The activities will include school quiz competitions on children’s rights, sports tournaments, gallery walks and school debates.
“The Monumental Lighting will be done at the No Man’s Land post at the Zimbabwe-Zambia bridge. The post holds much pre-independence history which the children can learn from during their march and during the lighting ceremony. In terms of entertainment, selected traditional groups will perform during these key moments.”
Dr Muswere said the government will endeavour to have legacy projects at participating schools in the area with the schools having volunteered.
New Ziana
