CHILDREN LEAD THE CHARGE FOR CHANGE AT THE AFRICA CHILDREN’S SUMMIT 2025

By Precious Mupenzi

• Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament, Kazimla Adam, ignited the Africa Children’s Summit 2025 with a powerful rallying cry, urging delegates to “rise, African child, rise!”
• Child Chairperson of the Africa Children’s Summit 2025, Tara Hendricks, welcomed the summit delegates with a stirring address that highlighted children’s dreams for a safer, smarter, and greener Africa.
• The children’s summit taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, is deliberating on three main themes: climate change, artificial intelligence in education, and violence in schools.

Johannesburg buzzed with the vibrant energy of young voices, laughter, and the determined footsteps of future leaders this week, as children from across the continent gathered for the Africa Children’s Summit 2025.

Hosted in South Africa’s economic heartland, Johannesburg, the summit brought together hundreds of passionate delegates – children, government representatives, and non-profit organisations – united by one powerful vision: an Africa where every child can dream, thrive, and be safe.

Taking to the stage on 5 April 2025 with purpose and fire, Kazimla Adam, Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, ignited the summit with a powerful rallying cry that echoed through the packed hall: “Rise, African child, rise!”

Her words resounded like a drumbeat of hope and defiance, drawing roaring applause from fellow child delegates, many of whom nodded, eyes wide with determination.

Tara Hendricks (16) – a poised, articulate, and passionate leader from Cape Town who serves as the Child Chairperson of the Africa Children’s Summit 2025 – welcomed the delegates with a stirring address that highlighted children’s dreams for a safer, smarter, and greener Africa while calling for urgent action on climate change, artificial intelligence in education, and violence in schools.

“We, the children of Africa, have big dreams,” she began. “We dream of a future where we can live in a healthy environment, learn in safe schools, and use technology to build a better world.”

She then laid out the three most pressing challenges facing Africa’s children today: climate change; artificial intelligence in education; and violence in schools.

Climate change: protecting our home

“Everywhere in Africa, we see the effects of climate change,” Hendricks said. “The rains are not coming when they should. Our rivers are drying up. Farms are struggling to grow food.” She called on governments to invest in clean energy like solar and wind and to roll out climate education programmes in schools.

“We need more education on climate change. We can start by planting trees. If we take care of the Earth, it will take care of us.”

AI in education: a tool, not a threat

Hendricks spoke passionately about the double-edged nature of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. While it can help children in remote areas access lessons and provide materials in local languages, she cautioned against its misuse.

“AI should not replace teachers, but support them,” she said. “It must benefit all children, not just those in cities. Every African child deserves a quality education, no matter where they are.”

Violence in schools: a call for safety

Perhaps the most emotional part of her speech came as she tackled the issue of school violence, citing bullying, corporal punishment, and attacks on schools in conflict zones.

“School should be a place of learning, friendship, and dreams. But for many children, it is a place of fear,” Hendricks said.

“This must end. No child should have to choose between education and safety.”

She called for stronger laws, trained counsellors, and trauma-informed teachers who discipline with kindness, not fear.

In closing, Hendricks issued a bold call to action, declaring: “These are not just issues for adults to solve, they affect us too. We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the change-makers of today.”

Her powerful words brought the audience to its feet, resonating with a generation that refuses to be sidelined.

As the Africa Children’s Summit continues through to 7 April 2025, one thing is crystal clear: Africa’s children are not waiting for permission to lead. They are already doing it – with heart, courage, and a vision for a continent that leaves no child behind