Mpumalanga Provincial Children’s Parliament elect leadership
Mpumalanga Children’s Parliament elected new leaders to empower youth and promote children’s rights.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Children’s Parliament was elected during a two-day event held at the Legislature on October 3 and 4.
The Department of Social Development’s (DSD) chief director of welfare services, Gustav Wilson, said the parliament aims to empower children to participate actively in their own governance and to advocate for their rights.
He said the parliament provides a platform for young people to debate and discuss social issues, voice their opinions to policymakers, influence policy and decision-making, and gain experience in civic leadership.
Participants were drawn from the Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala district municipalities.
Wilson said the event kicked off with a workshop during which the children were given a platform to engage and discuss matters affecting them in their communities, schools and homes, and to suggest possible solutions.
The newly elected members are Hlungwane Mpilo from the Ehlanzeni District, who was elected provincial child ambassador; Soko Mpilo from Gert Sibande, who will serve as speaker; Mkhabela Ayanda from Ehlanzeni, who was chosen as deputy speaker; and Makgata Katlego, Ngwenya Siphesihle and Mahlangu Cleopatra, who were selected as additional members.
On the second day of the assembly, members presented motions raised during commissions. Some of the issues discussed included violence against children, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and cyberbullying.
The elected members made their pledges and were sworn in by Wilson, who also shared the department’s response to the issues raised.
The outgoing child ambassador, Thembela Nkosi, wished the newly elected members well and said he would continue to support the programme to build hope for a better future for all children in the province.
