Day of the African Child

Helene Bam
Alexis Wimmerth

Day of the African Child is violently etched on the South African collective conscience, as the day on which the children of Soweto rose up against the apartheid government to protest against the poor quality of education.

They demanded to be taught in their mother tongues and because of this many children were killed in South Africa. However, their efforts were not in vain, as the education system we have today is because of their visionary approach and bravery.

This day should remind us not to give up on our dreams. What are we focused on today? This day celebrates the courage of the children of Soweto; it is calling us to audit our lives and see what issues we should discard and with what we should move forward.

The children are the future of any country and are we as Namibians investing in our children? Can we rightfully say that our investments will lead these children to the next dispensation in terms of economic development, in terms of education, in terms of socio-economic development, in terms of critical thinking and in terms of sustainable development? How is Africa protecting and investing in the children of Africa.

As the theme for this year was very profound: ‘Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development’.

This means investing, handholding and directing the African child. The time has arrived that we rethink our investment in the youth to whom we are indebted to leave this beautiful continent, so they can lead. We have to invest in their general and integral development and this is not an easy task. All stakeholders have to take their rightful places at the table and deliberate on the investment outcome and not on the investment promise. Government and non-governmental entities need to reflect on issues affecting children in the region.

The African child needs constructive role models, mentors, resources and leaders in all areas, for their development. The African child needs a government which has the know how to direct them to start their own businesses for sustainability.

The African child is not free until we stop child marriages, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, street kid syndrome, alcohol and drug abuse, school dropouts, bullying in schools, poverty, indoctrination, child labour, child prostitution, child neglect etc.

My advice to African children and in particular the Namibian child, is to abstain from what is wrong, focus on your education, have dreams and goals, work hard to achieve them and do not compare yourself to others.

Your circumstances should guide and inspire you to be better.

*Alexis Wimmerth is a student at the University of Namibia