LOOKING BACK AT THE PREVIOUS AFRICA CHILDREN’S SUMMIT AS SOUTH AFRICA HOSTS THE 2025 EDITION

By Precious Mupenzi

• The spectre of Cwecwe looms large over the second Africa Children’s Summit taking place in South Africa from 4 – 7 April 2025.
• It strengthens the reason for the summit and adds emphasis on listening and responding to the voices of the children of Africa.
• The 2025 summit builds on the foundation laid at the 2023 Nairobi summit, which called for the strengthening of laws and policies to protect children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.

As young delegates gather in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the 2025 Africa Children’s Summit, echoes of the previous summit held in Kenya in 2023 still resonate, providing a foundation in shaping the discourse on children’s rights and well-being.

The second Africa Children’s Summit takes place from 4 – 7 April 2025 under the theme ‘Seen heard and engaged’. Its goal is to directly influence the development of policies that create a brighter future for the continent’s children.

The Nairobi summit, which brought together hundreds of children, policymakers, and stakeholders, culminated in a strong outcome statement emphasising the need for urgent action in addressing key challenges affecting African children.

Among the recommendations was the call for African governments to strengthen laws and policies protecting children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.

Delegates also emphasised the need for increased investment in education, particularly for marginalised communities, and action against climate change, which disproportionately affects children in Africa.

Speaking on the impact of the previous summit, Halima Sarah, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Plan International Kenya, highlighted the significance of children’s participation in shaping policies that affect them. “The Africa Children’s Summit in Kenya provided a platform for children to directly engage with policymakers. Their voices were loud and clear: they want a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable future.”

Access to justice emerged as a central theme during the summit, Sarah noted, adding that many children expressed frustration over the slow pace and inaccessibility of legal processes meant to protect them.

“Children shared powerful testimonies about how difficult it is to report violence or abuse, especially in rural areas where police stations and child protection services are far apart,” she explained.

“There is an urgent need to strengthen child-friendly justice systems, ensure legal support is available, and train service providers to handle cases involving children with sensitivity and care.”

Children also advocated for access to justice for everyone, including those in conflict or contact with the law, and called for decisive action in ending child labour and violence against children.

As the Johannesburg summit unfolds, the children of South Africa shared a heartfelt message that resonated deeply with delegates.

They spoke while still reeling from the Cwecwe case, in which a seven-year-old girl was raped on school premises in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The case has cast a shadow over the summit, reinforcing the urgency of ending violence against children and ensuring access to justice.

“This summit is happening while our hearts are torn apart,” said 18-year-old Tebogo Lesoka from Benoni, east of Johannesburg.

“If we are not safe in recreational parks, schools, malls, churches, or even in our own homes, then clearly, as children, we do not have a safe place in our society.”

The ongoing summit in Johannesburg continues the momentum of the inaugural Kenyan summit, with children once again leading discussions on issues impacting their lives. The hope remains that their voices will translate into tangible policy changes and commitments from African leaders.