Eight pupils from the Winnie Ngwekazi Primary School, in Soweto, will represent South Africa at a children’s parliament in France this week, it was announced on Thursday.
The eight 12-year-olds were being sent to the event by the arts and culture department and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, they said in a statement.
Democracy required the participation of all citizens, including the youth, said Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile.
“This programme gives them a valuable opportunity to raise their voices on key issues; to debate and discuss how better to improve aspects of freedom, democracy and liberty,” he said.
“They also get to share their experiences and aspirations for the future with other children from around the world.”
Moipone Buda-Ramatlo, of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, said it was honoured to send the pupils to France.
“This is squarely in line with our key objectives… of facilitating child and youth participation in issues that affect them, and in shaping a society that is attentive to children, their rights, needs, abilities and aspirations”.
More than 500 children from various countries were expected to attend the parliament. – Sapa