Teens learn about council’s workings at Govan Mbeki Municipality
Surprise Mlambo from KI Thwala Secondary School in eMbalenhle was elected council speaker, Kamogelo Mbonani from Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School became the mayor and Mbalenhle Ngwenya from Highveld Park High School was the council’s chief whip.
Secondary school learners around the Govan Mbeki Municipality got to experience the role and function of the council during the speaker’s youth mock council held on August 7 in the council chambers.
Leaners from various high schools acted as the speaker, mayor and municipal manager and were allowed to run the council.
Surprise Mlambo from KI Thwala Secondary School in eMbalenhle was elected council speaker, Kamogelo Mbonani from Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School became the mayor and Mbalenhle Ngwenya from Highveld Park High School was the council’s chief whip.
The schools that participated are Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School, Sizwakwele Secondary School, Thistle Grove Combined School, Vukuqhakaze Secondary School, Highveld Park High School, KI Twala Secondary School, Osizweni Secondary School and Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School.
The learners debated various motions, including women’s empowerment. These schools were divided into different political parties and councillors.
When opening the youth mock council, the speaker, Fikile Magagamela, said learners should know the council is a political space where councillors discuss political issues about the municipality’s development.
When debating the women empowerment motion, Mbonani, as the mayor, said women remain suppressed in work and leadership positions in government.
“Women should get a chance to lead in every position of leadership held by men. Gender equality must not be a talk show but be implemented by those who lead in government. Women are also capable of doing what men can do,” said Mbonani.
The opposition parties in the council disagreed with Mbonani. They said women must first develop skills because the country is moving towards an inclusive economy, and women must also compete and not receive special attention.
Though it became a contentious topic for the parties, they finally agreed that women must be empowered.
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