Harare, (New Ziana) –President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed the commitment of his government to prioritising the welfare and rights of children, as he officially opened the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare.
This year the event, held under the theme “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” spotlighted the progress the country has made in protecting and empowering young people over the past decade and a half.
Addressing the junior parliamentarians, President Mnangagwa said the theme aligns with the Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda, which is guided by the principle of “leaving no child and no place behind.”
He cited significant gains in education, nutrition, and child protection, including expanded access to the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which now supports over 1.5 million vulnerable children.
The National School Feeding Program has also been scaled up, especially in drought-prone districts, resulting in improved attendance and learner performance.
“The dignity, safety, and potential of our children are being promoted and protected,” he said, adding “This principle is embedded across our national development policies.”
President Mnangagwa also highlighted policies aimed at protecting children with disabilities and advancing youth development, noting that such measures are accelerating the fulfilment of constitutional aspirations regarding children’s rights.
Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa called for greater investment in digital education and skills development to prepare Zimbabwean youths for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He emphasized the transformation of Vocational Training Centres into digital learning hubs and the repurposing of underutilised facilities, such as post offices, into community innovation centres.
“It is commendable that hundreds of centres across all provinces are being equipped to train youth in high-demand digital skills,” he said.
President Mnangagwa urged the young parliamentarians to be leaders and ambassadors of peace, unity, and innovation while encouraging them to stand against drug abuse, peer pressure, and violence, and to champion the protection of their peers, especially the most vulnerable.
“You are a critical pillar that defines Zimbabwe’s development trajectory long after 2030. Your debates must be bold, your ideas practical, and your conduct honourable,” he said.
He congratulated the newly elected 33rd Child President, Lionel Mazarire, new Speaker of the Junior Parliament, Michael Ndambani, and all other new members of Junior Parliament.
“As we march towards an upper-middle-income economy, my Government will continue to invest in every child’s health, safety, and education,” he said.
New Ziana
