Second Annual Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament to mark Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday as part of the events for International Nelson Mandela Day.
In celebration of the former South African President and founder of the Nelson Mandela Children‟s Fund (the Fund) Mr. Nelson Mandela‟s 94th birthday, the 2nd Annual Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament will be hosted at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on Saturday (July 14, 2012) as part of the Nelson Mandela Day activities.
The special place that Madiba has in his heart for children has been pivotal in him establishing the Fund within the first year of his presidency to mark his commitment to their wellbeing in 1995. Likewise, it is fitting that children are afforded space and time to salute the a champion to their wellbeing in a manner that best suits them in the form of the Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament as they did last year to mark his 93rd birthday.
Ranked as the Fund‟s key strategic activity in the building of a National Child Rights Movement, the 2nd Annual Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament is a joint partnership of the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the Nelson Mandela Children‟s Fund.
As a follow up to the 2011 Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament theme, „Holding those in authority accountable‟, this year‟s Parliament will be held under the theme; “Working Together to Protect Children”.
Issues to be discussed during this year‟s Parliament will include health, education, child protection, safety and wellbeing. The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana will give an update on the declaration accepted and signed by the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Lindi Maseko, Children‟s Parliament Speaker Tracy Koubangou and herself for submission to cabinet last year.
Elaborating on the theme for this year‟s children‟s parliament, Acting CEO of the Fund Moipone Buda-Ramatlo said: “Families, communities, civil society and all spheres government dare not take leave from the wellbeing of children, for in them, lies the foundation of the future society being envisioned in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.”
Hailing the successful launch of the Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament last year, Xingwana said her department shares the view of the Fund that; „children should not only be seen but also heard‟.
“Nothing better represents an opportunity to give credence to this collective view than convening a national children‟s Parliament where government leaders in various capacities and spheres can affirm children‟s voices with their valued presence,” Xingwana said.
A salutary message from the Fund to the children‟s Parliament will be read on the official day of the Parliament. Represented at the Children‟s Parliament will be six children from each of the country‟s nine provinces. Participating children will be encouraged to write birthday messages to Madiba on his 94th birthday, which will include what Madiba means to honour his legacy.
Participating children will be between 13 and 17 years of age. Prior the seating of each Children‟s Parliament, members shall be welcomed by the Speaker of the hosting Provincial Legislature.
At the end of the session, Speaker for Gauteng Legislature, Lindi Maseko, as predecessor to the Speaker of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mr. S.W Lubisi, along with Xingwana and Children‟s parliament speaker would be expected to sign and accept declaration for purposes of isolating children‟s issues applicable to their respective provinces and line ministries.
The Nelson Mandela Children‟s Parliament is scheduled to start at 8am at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature with guests expected to be seated by 9:00 am. The session is expected to last until 13h30.
Details for the Children‟s Parliament stand as follows:
Date: Saturday July 14, 2012
Time: 08h00 (Arrival and accreditation)
Venue: Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
For Media Accreditation call:
Thulile Nkambule
Mobile: +2783 656 2762
E-mail: thulilen@mpuleg.gov.za
Ameck Ayong
Mobile: 082 663 0335
E-mail: amecka@nmcf.co.za
Cornelius Monama
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cornelius@dwcpd.gov.za
Minister Lulu Xingwana to attend the 2nd Annual Nelson Mandela Children's Parliament in Mpumalanga
