News / National
Lionel Mazarire elected 33rd Child president of Zimbabwe
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Chinhoyi Technical High School's Lower Six pupil, Lionel Mazarire, has been elected as Zimbabwe's 33rd Child President, pledging to champion the rights of children nationwide and ensure child-focused policies move beyond words into impactful action.
Speaking soon after his election in Harare yesterday, Mazarire, who succeeds Pious Nleya of Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo, expressed humility and readiness to serve.
"I feel good because this is the platform that I have been waiting for all my life," he said. "I have worked hard to get here, of course with help from colleagues, and it is something great because we have finally achieved what we wanted."
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday at the Parliament of Zimbabwe, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate as Guest of Honour.
Mazarire emphasized the need to turn child rights from theoretical documents into tangible realities.
"Child rights do not have to be just words written with ink on paper. They have to be something that a child gets," he said. "This is where we advocate for the budget and planning for child rights, and I will make sure to advocate for that."
He also highlighted the importance of listening closely to the voices of children in addressing their challenges.
"The greatest challenge you can face is trying to solve a problem you do not know. So if they tell me their problems, now we have a channel of communication to actually solve them," Mazarire said.
On his vision for the African child, the new Child President painted a picture of resilience and determination.
"The African child has always been deprived of his rights. They took away his land, and now he fights to get it back. There is a spirit inside us telling us to fight, to compel and to achieve greater heights," he said.
Meanwhile, Michael Ndambani, newly elected Speaker of the Junior Parliament, promised a proactive legislative term focused on safeguarding children's rights.
"I am the new Speaker of Parliament for the 33rd Junior Parliament Session," Ndambani said. "We are going to establish new policies that are going to help the African child, help the Zimbabwean child, and ensure our rights are embraced and upheld."
He stressed that the Junior Parliament would not be symbolic but a powerful voice engaging national leadership.
"My Parliament and I are going to make sure that these policies are strong and firm and will be heard by our Senior Executive, our President," Ndambani said. "Working alongside our Junior president, we are going to make sure our Parliament is the best of all time."
The 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament is expected to usher in a new era of youth leadership, advocacy, and meaningful participation in Zimbabwe's national discourse.
Speaking soon after his election in Harare yesterday, Mazarire, who succeeds Pious Nleya of Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo, expressed humility and readiness to serve.
"I feel good because this is the platform that I have been waiting for all my life," he said. "I have worked hard to get here, of course with help from colleagues, and it is something great because we have finally achieved what we wanted."
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday at the Parliament of Zimbabwe, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate as Guest of Honour.
Mazarire emphasized the need to turn child rights from theoretical documents into tangible realities.
"Child rights do not have to be just words written with ink on paper. They have to be something that a child gets," he said. "This is where we advocate for the budget and planning for child rights, and I will make sure to advocate for that."
He also highlighted the importance of listening closely to the voices of children in addressing their challenges.
On his vision for the African child, the new Child President painted a picture of resilience and determination.
"The African child has always been deprived of his rights. They took away his land, and now he fights to get it back. There is a spirit inside us telling us to fight, to compel and to achieve greater heights," he said.
Meanwhile, Michael Ndambani, newly elected Speaker of the Junior Parliament, promised a proactive legislative term focused on safeguarding children's rights.
"I am the new Speaker of Parliament for the 33rd Junior Parliament Session," Ndambani said. "We are going to establish new policies that are going to help the African child, help the Zimbabwean child, and ensure our rights are embraced and upheld."
He stressed that the Junior Parliament would not be symbolic but a powerful voice engaging national leadership.
"My Parliament and I are going to make sure that these policies are strong and firm and will be heard by our Senior Executive, our President," Ndambani said. "Working alongside our Junior president, we are going to make sure our Parliament is the best of all time."
The 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament is expected to usher in a new era of youth leadership, advocacy, and meaningful participation in Zimbabwe's national discourse.
Source - The Herald
