CHILDREN’S VOICES FIND EXPRESSION DURING THE CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT IN CAPE TOWN

By Justice Malapane.

• South Africa’s children raised key issues that shape their lives and will impact their futures at the Children’s Parliament in Cape Town.
• The theme of the sitting, “Amplifying the voices of children in planning and budgeting”, provided the participants space to speak out on issues such as substance abuse, sexual education, and climate change.
• Addressing the young parliamentarians, Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

Children from all nine provinces gathered today to participate in the main session of the Children’s Parliament, making their voices heard on key issues that continue to shape their lives and future.

Held under the theme “Amplifying the voices of children in planning and budgeting”, the session on 9 October 2025 provided a platform for South Africa’s children to share perspectives on pressing topics such as climate change, substance abuse, and child sexual education.

Representing Gauteng, Kgomotso Matje emphasised the importance of allocating adequate resources to address climate change, noting its direct impact on the lives and futures of children.

She further proposed the inclusion of climate change education in the basic school curriculum from Grade R to empower future generations to understand and mitigate its effects.

Discussing substance misuse, Bayanda Ndlela from KwaZulu-Natal highlighted the role of peer pressure and curiosity in influencing children’s experimentation with substances such as alcohol and dagga.

He cautioned that “one puff leads to another,” resulting in addiction and long-term harm.

Adding her voice, Oratile Keifilwe from the North-West Province described substance misuse as a challenge that affects families economically, emotionally, and academically.

She suggested that parents involve children in household budgeting discussions to foster a sense of responsibility and strengthen family bonds.

On the issue of child sexual education, Simphiwe Desh from the Free State Province urged parents and guardians to openly discuss the subject with their children. He stressed that such education is vital for preventing unplanned pregnancies and protecting children from sexually transmitted infections.

Addressing the young parliamentarians, Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, commended the participants for their courage in confronting difficult topics.

She acknowledged the persistent challenges of child abuse, neglect, trafficking, and exploitation, affirming the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

Minister Tolashe stated that the Children’s Parliament serves as “a platform to agitate for accelerated action needed to realise the full enjoyment of human rights and freedoms of all children in South Africa”.

She emphasised the importance of child-led advocacy in holding leaders accountable and engaging on issues like democracy, inclusive education, climate change, artificial intelligence in learning, school violence, and gender-based violence.

The minister underscored that child participation is a fundamental right enshrined in both national and international instruments, including the South African Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

She noted that the Children’s Parliament aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2040 and the Bogotá 2024 Global Commitment to Ending Violence Against Children.

The government of South Africa remains dedicated to promoting child safety and well-being through collaborative efforts with all spheres of government, the private sector, and civil society organisations.

The participation of children in decision-making and governance processes is central to achieving inclusive and sustainable development, as envisioned in Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.