Day of the African child: know your rights

ELIZABETH JOSEPH
Charisma Olivier

The commemoration of the day of the African Child was celebrated on the 14th of June 2019 with the theme Humanitarian action in African children’s rights. In memory of the march that took place in Soweto; children from different schools both primary and secondary marched from the Katutura hospital to the After school care Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare centre.

Academia was lucky enough to amongst the invited schools. A few important protocol was present as well as the Namibian Defence Force [NDF] brass band who led the march for the group of energetic young people a lot speakers motivated the learners to know their rights and informed them about life before children’s rights. Mrs Engelbrecht a children’s rights law practitioner also assisted the selected panel speakers to discuss different issues in Namibia regarding children’s rights, especially the ongoing violation of the corporal punishment.

There were various performances by different learners as they presented poems and dance acts. The presenters from the Uitani child line radio also performed and kept the fun flowing and the energy vibrant with their performances.

Learners learned that they have rights and that no matter what, they need to respected. They also learned that we as Namibian children are in fact privileged to live in such a beautiful war free country that allows for free education as not a lot of African countries have that. This day brought children from all walks of life together to enjoy their rights and have fun