12 — 14 July 2023
Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament will be held on the 12 to 14 July in Eastern Cape Province.
In 1995 South Africa under the leadership of the first democratic government in South Africa, President Mr Nelson Mandela, ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children. This committed the government to ensure that the safety and protection of children is paramount within policies and programmes of all Departments, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Owing to these mainstreaming and other efforts by the South African government, the first democratically elected President’s contribution has truly brought remarkable changes to the standard of living of children in our country. Since then, children’s rights have been widely promoted and protected, this children’s parliament programme is used to celebrate Madiba’s birthday. The Programme celebrates the life and commitment of Mr Mandela to the children of South Africa, by giving them an opportunity to give input on policy development and enhance programming by duty bearers in decision-making and technical positions. This initiative is executed in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Save the Children South Africa, and UNICEF. Efforts are being undertaken to institutionalise this children’s parliament within the national parliament system.
The hosting of the Children’s Parliament used to rotate across all provinces to create an opportunity for South African children to participate equally. The hosting was done in partnership with the Premier’s Office and the Legislature in the respective Province. The first children’s Parliament was inaugurated in Gauteng in 2011, and the rotational system was concluded in Kwa Zulu Natal, in 2019.
The partners agreed that in strengthening child participation, provinces will be afforded an opportunity to prepare children, working with their respective Legislatures and followed by the National sitting which will be hosted by the National Assembly.
For the 2023 Children’s Parliament, the National Assembly Speaker’s office, and the National Council of Provinces Chairperson’s office, agreed to collaborate towards ensuring that children engage on the scourge of substance abuse, which includes the escalating trend of alcohol consumption by children. This has been witnessed because of the tragic deaths of young children at the Enyobeni tavern in the Eastern Cape, hence a proposal to initiate the children’s parliament at the Eastern Cape Legislature.
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The initiative of establishing the Department of Military Veterans forms part of government's commitment to support and recognise Military Veterans for their contribution to bring about the realisation of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
A dignified, unified, empowered and self-sufficient military veterans’ community.
To facilitate delivery and co-ordinate all activities that recognise and entrench the restoration of dignity and appreciation of the contribution of Military Veterans to our freedom and nation building.
