Dear Members, Parliamentarians and Partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement on the occasion of the Day of the African Child, commemorated in 2024 under the theme “Education for all Children in Africa: the Time in Now”. This theme congruently resonates with the theme of the African Union for 2024 which focuses on building resilient education systems for an increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa, and represents a positive step towards closing the gaps to attain Sustainable Development Goal 4 on equitable quality education.

STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD, 16 JUNE 2024

By Moses Magadza

The Former Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Dr Esau Chiviya, a Zimbabwean who served at the helm of the regional interparliamentary body, died on Monday 3^rd June 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, according to a statement by the Forum. Dr. Chiviya will be buried in his home country, Zimbabwe on a date to be announced.

Dear Parliamentarians, Colleagues and Partners,

It gives me great pleasure to present this message to the Member Parliaments of the Forum and its partners in honour of World Environment Day 2024, which is being observed under the theme: “Our land. Our Future.” with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

The SADC Parliamentary Forum is one of 18 regional assemblies globally that come together annually under the coordination mechanism on counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism. The speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honorable Roger Mancienne (RM), is the President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. He led the SADC PF delegation to the Fifth Counter-Terrorism Coordination Meeting of Parliamentary Assemblies in Istanbul, Türkiye in May. In this exclusive interview with SADC PF Media and Communications Officer Dr. Moses Magadza (MM), Hon Mancienne shares his views on attending this meeting as well as on the role of Parliament in responding to terrorism.

Dear Citizens of South Africa,

As you vote today in the 7^th General Elections, I extend my warm wishes to each one of you on behalf of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF). This is a critical moment in your nation’s democratic journey, and your participation in the voting process today is a clear demonstration of your unwavering commitment to democratic principles, which is a key ingredient in strengthening the vibrancy of South African democracy.

Dear Parliamentarians, Fellow Africans and Partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this statement to the SADC PF’s Member Parliaments, partners and fellow Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, as we celebrate Africa Day 2024. This day marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), and symbolises our unity, resilience and shared commitment to the progress of our continent.

Africa Day 2024 is an opportunity to reflect on the AU theme for this year, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa." This theme resonates deeply with our collective aspirations for a brighter future in education for all Africans, without discrimination of any kind.

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) is meeting today 22 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Enhancing the Role of the RPMLOC in Monitoring the Domestication of SADC Model Laws and Implementation of Related Policies and Laws through Structured Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms: A Look at the Domestication of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.’’

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

The SADC PF Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) will hold its meeting from 20 to 21 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: "Advancing the AU Agenda 2040 for Children: Strengthening Parliamentary Engagement for Child-Centred Legislation and Policies."

A Member of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honourable Kelly Samynadi is the chairperson of the HSDSP Standing Committee. The meeting is in preparation for the 55^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 July 2024 in Angola.

The Committee meets when there is growing concern over child rights violations, poverty and inequality and a dearth of child-centred policies within the SADC region and beyond.

Mr Munashe Tofa from the Parliament of Zimbabwe serves the Committee as Secretary. He says the theme is pivotal as it resonates with the overarching desire of an Africa fit for children, where every child has an equal opportunity to pursue and explore their talents.

“At its core, the theme acknowledges and recognizes the remarkable strides made by Africa through the formulation of the AU Agenda 2040 for Children anchored on ten key pillars. Beyond that, the Standing Committee and indeed the Forum, recognize that Parliaments are the sine qua non, for the efficacious implementation of this landmark document,” Tofa says.

Expectations are running high.

Dr Ignatius Mabasa is an award-winning author and academic at the University of Zimbabwe. Some of his books that include Ziso Rezongororo and Nhasi Ndini Superman graphically feature the plight of children. In an interview, he said society needs to take better care of children and argued that Members of Parliament all over the world are uniquely positioned to create a world fit for children.

Dr Mabasa said: “Children thrive in a stable and loving family. Focusing on children without focusing on the family is a lost cause. There are so many issues that are attacking and affecting the family, resulting in estranged, confused and vulnerable children. Estranged, confused and vulnerable children are an estranged, confused and vulnerable society.”

On what needs to be done, Dr Mabasa said: “There's need for a holistic approach to deal with absent parents, Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the family, unsafe social media use, and the need to formally involve and support teachers who are now spending more time with children and bearing the burden of educating, counselling and teaching values which are absent in the home and community. There's need for a return to the basics.”

Multiple award-winning Zimbabwean writer Mr Memory Chirere who also teaches at the University of Zimbabwe said far too many children were living under desperate conditions. He too, challenged the SADC Members of Parliament meeting in Johannesburg to inspire decisive action.

“I think child poverty is critically rife in the SADC region. You find hordes of children fishing, hunting and selling wares along highways when they should be in school. There is need for legislation that cushion children against poverty,” Mr Chirere contended.

Expectations are that through this meeting, Members of Parliament, Civil Society Organisations and the wider public will build greater awareness of the contents of Agenda 2040 as an instrument for the protection and promotion of the rights of Children in the SADC region.

It is hoped that through this capacity strengthening and sensitization endeavour spearheaded by the HSDSP Committee of the SADC PF, national Parliaments and the wider stakeholder fraternity will be able to positively contribute towards the formulation of robust child-centred laws and policies to create a SADC and an Africa that is truly inclusive and supportive of its youngest citizens.

To facilitate in-depth deliberations, the Committee has engaged Ms Sally Ncube from Equality Now and Honourable Anne Musiiwa from the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACERWC), among resource persons.

Ends/.

Focus on children as SADC PF Committee meets

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

The SADC PF Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) will hold its meeting from 19 to 21 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Promoting Climate Action in Parliaments to strengthen Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture; Enhance SRHR Outcomes; and Govern Natural Resources Effectively.’’