By Aldridge Dzvene| Positive Eye News
In a vibrant display of Zimbabwe’s enduring commitment to youth participation and democratic expression, His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, officially opened the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament on 20 June 2025 at the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden. The event coincided with the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, infusing the occasion with both historical reverence and forward-looking ambition.
Standing before the nation’s youthful representatives, His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, did more than mark a ceremonial moment, he delivered a powerful and resonant address that blended policy intent, historical remembrance, and an inspiring vision of a youth-centred Zimbabwe. With the 2025 theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010”, the President’s message reflected a government anchored in inclusive development and a future that neither forgets its past nor neglects its children.
The Head of State began by honouring the spirit of the Day of the African Child, tracing it back to the gallant sacrifices of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. He urged the young generation not merely to commemorate, but to be energized by the courage of those before them. “The historic bravery by that crop of young people should inspire you, the current generation,” His Excellency declared, “to fight for our country’s interests and that of Africa.”
Beyond the remembrance of history, His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, focused squarely on current progress and future commitments. He detailed strides made by the Second Republic in uplifting children through expanded social protection policies, education access via the Basic Education Assistance Module, and improved school nutrition programmes in drought-prone districts. These, he affirmed, were tangible signs that the government is indeed leaving “no child and no place behind.”
He lauded the strengthening of national child protection and disability policies, as well as the expanding reach of vocational training programmes that empower youth with technical and entrepreneurial skills. “By broadening vocational training,” the President asserted, “youth are empowered to become entrepreneurs… facilitating wealth creation and employment opportunities.”
A particularly forward-thinking highlight was the Government’s Digital Skills Development Programme, targeting 1.5 million young Zimbabweans. His Excellency underscored the urgency of preparing youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, calling for the digital transformation of vocational training centres and the conversion of underutilised infrastructure, such as post offices, into innovation hubs. These initiatives are designed to ensure that Zimbabwe’s young people are not only participants in the digital economy but leaders in shaping it.
Importantly, the President commended the newly launched Junior Parliament Alumni Network, envisioning it as a mentorship platform and think-tank for national youth leadership. He emphasized that the Junior Parliament must not be a “mere talk show,” but a source of serious policy recommendations, rooted in the lived realities of the youth.
In a stirring conclusion, His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, reminded the young parliamentarians of their dual role as both leaders and protectors of their peers. He urged them to be ambassadors of peace, unity, innovation, and moral integrity. “Reject peer pressure, drug and substance abuse, as well as violence,” he advised, asserting that these social ills threaten the nation’s collective future.
As the nation steers toward the goals of Vision 2030 and an upper-middle-income economy, the President affirmed that the youth are not merely beneficiaries of national development, they are its drivers. “Your debates must be bold, your ideas practical, and your conduct honourable,” he said.
With warm congratulations to the 33rd Child President, His Excellency Lionel Mazarire; the Speaker of the Junior Parliament, Michael Ndambani; and all elected members, His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa declared the session officially open. It was not just an opening, but a declaration that the voices of Zimbabwe’s children matter, and that the future, indeed, will be forged in their voice.
