President Jacob Zuma was today, 6 October 2011, presented with a book titled “Children’s letters to the President” at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.
The book which was edited by Dr Mukanda Mabonso Mulemfo, comprises of 165 letters which have been written by primary school children to President Zuma.
The children who wrote the letters are in Grades five to seven and their ages range from 10 to 13 years.
Some of the children’s letters deal with general issues such as healthcare, housing, crime and unemployment. In many of the letters the children don’t only voice their concerns but also offer different solutions as to how government can tackle the country’s challenges
Other children even raise problems related to service delivery in their own home areas. Eurica Masinga aged 11 wrote: “We are currently staying in a rural area. We don’t have proper roads and we also don’t have proper toilets and no electricity. We are struggling to get clean water, too. As a community we would like to ask that you please build a Community Hall. Also we need a High school as we don’t have one at the moment.”
The children also wrote on social issues such as racism, xenophobia and protecting the environment.
Some letters even ask the President about his personal life and family. One such is Gawe Roux aged 10 who asks: I really want to know if you enjoy being the President of the country. What do you do every day? When do you play with your kids? Do you help them with their homework? Do you ever do anything enjoyable with them?.
Another Taliah Day asks the President about his hobbies: “Do you like to hike or go for a swim”?
President Zuma showed appreciation at the letters written to him and the issues and advice given by the children.
“Children are very honest people. They raise issues in a genuine manner and it is important that we as adults and leaders listen to what they have to say. Their voices must never be suppressed. That they wrote to the President of the country shows that they have faith that their problems and those of the country can and will be solved. We will not fail these children.
“I am happy that some of the issues that they have raised are the issues that government is working hard on such as unemployment, improving education and the health care system and fighting crime. I am also happy that these children who are our future leaders are playing an active part in building our country. The future of this country is indeed in safe hands. I will indeed encourage all our leaders from Ministers, Premiers, Mayors and councillors to read this book so they can hear what the little ones have to say about how to improve this country,” said President Zuma.
Speaking at the handover of the book to the President, Dr Mulemfo said “I have learnt through these letters that our children are intelligent and socially conscious; that is why we should never undermine them as they know quite well what is going on in our country. Given the different challenges that the children have been able to point out, the tone in these letters strongly demonstrates the respect that they children have for you and the government and the hope that they have for a South Africa with a brighter future,” said Dr Mulemfo.
Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148
President receives children’s book titled “Children’s letters to the President Zuma”
