ADDRESS

BY

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF

ZIMBABWE,

HIS EXCELLENCY, CDE. E. D. MNANGAGWA

AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 34th JUNIOR

PARLIAMENT SESSION

AND COMMEMORATION OF THE DAY OF THE

AFRICAN CHILD

HARARE

8 JULY 2026

Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C. G. D. N.

Chiwenga;

Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi;

Chairman of ZANU PF and Minister of Defence,

Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri;

Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province,

Hon. C. Tawengwa;

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and

Vocational Training, Hon. T. Machakaire;

Honourable Ministers;

Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Advocate, J. F. N. Mudenda;

President of the Senate, Hon. Amai. M. M. Chinomona;

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet,

Dr. M. Rushwaya;

Chairman of the Public Service Commission,

Dr. V. Hungwe;

Senior Government Officials;

Child President, His Excellency, Tinashe Mugodhi;

The Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Prince Marley

Tarirana;

The President of the Children’s Senate;

Members of the Children’s Parliament;

Children’s Council;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

May I begin on a solemn note, by recognising the passing

on of Ms. Kimberly Mwanza, a former Child

Parliamentarian. Her contributions to the Junior

Parliament and broader youth empowerment agenda

inspired many of her peers, here within the Junior

Parliament, as well as in the community from which she came.

I extend my deepest condolences to her family, relatives and friends, including all those who were touched by her remarkable service. I, request us to all rise and observe a minute of silence in her memory.

May her soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

Your Excellency Child President, Ladies and

Gentlemen;

It is my privilege and pleasure to join the young

representatives of the children of our beloved

motherland, Zimbabwe, as I Officially Open the 34th

Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe.

This event also marks the belated commemoration of the Day of the African Child, under the theme “Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa.”

This gathering has become an important annual feature on our national calendar. It continues to serve as a testament of the Second Republic’s determination to keep alive, our rich armed liberation war heritage. This forms the basis upon which we celebrate Independence, freedom, sovereignty and democracy as well as the numerous fundamental rights we now enjoy.

I urge you to always remember that many young people, some, as young as most of you, left their families, schools, friends and communities to take up arms to fight the brutal and racist colonial regime, for us to be an independent people. Today, we can chart our own path, we are masters of our destiny and able to discuss the proposals such as those I heard you proffer, during your debate. Young people of yester-year, did not have these kinds of opportunities.

I, therefore, challenge the children and young people of Zimbabwe, to remain mindful that independence never came on a silver platter. Love your country, be patriotic at all times and honour the departed heroes and heroines who brought about this freedom, which you can now exercise in the august house.

Equally important is our rich African heritage, identity culture and solidarity. Our forefathers across the African Continent collectively suffered at the brutal hands of colonialism. We fought for independence, desiring freedom and democracy for all.

Now, under the African Union we are working to realise Vision 2063, “the Africa we all want’. An Africa that is united, peaceful and integrated, trading with each other.

For you our children, the current African leaders are determined to ensure that you have access to quality education, health, shelter, safe environments as well as access to skills and training that make you ready for the world of the future.

These include knowledge of ICTs, maths, science, innovation and engineering, among others. As your elders, we recognise that the children are the future, hence we are doing all that is possible for your protection and overall well-being.

At every level of our nation, including within your schools, we must remain anchored on the important fact that; Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.

I want the Junior Parliament, along with other youth organisations, to continuously have this rich background in mind, when you discuss matters that affect you, or undertake activities within your areas.

Thirty-four years of persistently hosting the Junior Parliament is a clear indication of Government’s commitment to nurture the future generation of leaders by involving children and the youth in development and governance matters, from an early age. The voices of our children should be heard as we advance all aspects of Vision 2030.

I commend the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, other Ministries, Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Youth Council, development partners and all stakeholders for their tireless efforts which have made this Session a success. Your dedication is helping to mould young leaders who will carry forward the flame of independence and the critical duty to mordenise and industrialise our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.

I also congratulate the Child President, His Excellency, Tinashe Mugodhi for a thoughtful and articulate address. Honourable Junior Members of Parliament are applauded for the focus and seriousness with which you have approached your debates. The issues raised are practical, urgent and deeply connected to the daily realities of children, families, schools, communities and our nation, as a whole.

Following your deliberations, Cabinet Ministers responded within their respective portfolios. That is how participatory governance ought to be, always grounded in the lived realities of the ordinary people. Important in this regard, is to guarantee that the three Arms of State always seek to deepen democracy, strengthen responsiveness, inclusion, accountability, and ensure that no voices are ignored. This is the fundamental governance culture in our country. As the Junior Parliament, you have mirrored it well. Congratulations.

You have spoken as young people, we your leaders, will consider your views and address your concerns. Well done.

I note your concerns on access, quality, and relevance of the education you are receiving. I want to assure you that the education system of our country is evolving, with the heritage and competency-based model forming the bedrock of our national development.

Government is expanding school infrastructure, modernising learning environments, and improving access to teaching and educational materials.

Greater emphasis is being placed on digital and industrial skills as well as innovation, so that all children are prepared for, “life beyond examinations”, in an ever-evolving world.

I was impressed by the numerous innovations and inventions displayed by some of you at the recently held Zimbabwe International Research Symposium.

These were consistent with our quest to make sure that learners are able to create and develop products and services, which impact day to day lives and the economy as a whole.

Under the Second Republic, we recognise that education does not end in the formal primary and secondary classrooms. We are, therefore, transforming Vocational Training Centers and Youth Service institutions into modern centers of excellence, where practical and relevant skills are nurtured towards enhancing productivity across all sectors. To date, these institutions have trained young people in agriculture, ICT, construction, manufacturing and other critical areas of our economy.

Honourable Speaker Sir, Mr. President;

My Administration is seized with the important questions related to jobs, livelihoods and economic inclusion. Youth empowerment policies, entrepreneurship support programmes, incubation initiatives and market linkages, are laying the foundation for a resourceful generation of innovators, industrialists and job creators.

We are strengthening access to finance, encouraging youth-friendly funding products, and creating avenues for enterprise development across both urban and rural communities. No one and no place will be left behind.

Technology and innovation, are equally central to our ongoing national transformation. We are accelerating the expansion of digital access, and increasing innovation hubs in our learning institutions so that our young people can participate in the digital economy.

In line with the Devolution and Decentralisation Agenda, we are also paying special attention to rural communities. A modern Zimbabwe, must be one in which all children, in every ward, district and province, have access to similar opportunities.

Discipline, health and the well-being of our people are essential as we build and transform our nation.

I am pleased that you, our children are extremely concerned about drug and substance abuse. This is a serious challenge, that we must confront together.

On its part, Government is intensifying prevention programmes, expanding rehabilitation services and strengthening community-based interventions. At the same time, investments in youth-friendly health services, including mental health support and reproductive health education, are ongoing. Sports, arts and culture remain areas of emphasis through which you, our young people, can express your talents, build character, cultivate discipline and earn sustainable livelihoods.

Meanwhile, I call upon parents and guardians, primarily, to create safe spaces within the home environments.

Let us ensure that our children grow up in stable family atmospheres, where they feel happy, loved, understood and supported.

We all have a duty to teach our children all-embracing cultural values of respect, honour, tolerance and compassion for others.

The values passed down by our fore-fathers, which now define us, as Zimbabweans and the great nation we are, should be deliberately re-visited and instilled in our children and the youth. It is also important that they know their history, not only at the national level, but their respective family history, as well. Let us not deprive them of their right to our rich cultural heritage.

A people without a history, are like trees without roots. We all have a duty to put in place the necessary foundational blocks, that will guarantee a strong national character, in perpetuity.

To you, Members of the Junior Parliament, you represent millions of children and young people across Zimbabwe.

I challenge you to be aware that leadership is not in title. It is in the manner you serve, respect and honour others as well as the choices you make and the discipline you demonstrate.

I, therefore, call upon you to use this platform wisely towards deepening your sense of responsibility and service to our country. Much more lies ahead of you. I equally challenge all the children and young people of our country, to play their part and promote the interests of our motherland, Zimbabwe. Work hard, chase your dreams and reject activities and beliefs which undermines your future. Embrace experiences that build character and contribute to the collective good of our country.

Your ideas and innovations, as well as willingness to help in the ongoing processes of building our motherland Zimbabwe, are not taken for granted. Your views are valuable and vital for the realization of a brighter and more prosperous future of our great nation.

In all that we do let us always remember that, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.

With these remarks, it is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe officially open.

God bless you all.

God bless Zimbabwe.

I thank you.