The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund pre-summit sets the stage for the Africa Children’s Summit 2025
South Africa’s young leaders gathered to voice their perspectives and propose solutions on key educational issues during a pivotal pre-summit.
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) hosted over fifty children from across South Africa at the Sunnyside Inn Hotel in Parktown on September 28 and 29, in preparation for the much-anticipated Africa Children’s Summit (ACS) set for April 2025. This pre-summit gave children a platform to tackle pressing issues in education, setting the stage for next year’s larger continental gathering.
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At the heart of the discussions were topics that deeply affect the future of education: child participation, inclusion, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), educational barriers, and school violence. In a remarkable show of maturity, the children voiced their concerns and made practical recommendations to improve education for all.
The young delegates emphasised the importance of empowering child participation in education, urging learners’ involvement in curriculum decisions, teaching methods, school policies, and stronger support for platforms like student councils.
They advocated for inclusive education, stating that schools should create environments free from discrimination based on ability or background, promote social harmony, and ensure full integration of learners with disabilities into school life.
The children promoted climate education integration into school curriculums, proposing initiatives to reduce waste, litter, and pollution, and suggesting schools should be designed to withstand climate change challenges.
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The children discussed the role of AI in education, emphasising its potential to promote creativity and critical thinking, rather than replacing human oversight, and the necessity for vigilant monitoring of AI and social media to safeguard students online.
Participants highlighted the need to address issues like child marriage and human trafficking that hinder educational access for children, underscoring the need to end marginalisation and provide a safe, supportive learning environment.
On the subject of school violence, the children were clear: There must be zero tolerance for violence of any kind. They recommended anti-bullying programmes and mental health support to address the psychological impacts of violence, which can be as damaging as physical harm.
Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo, CEO of the NMCF, expressed her admiration for the children’s insights. “These young voices are the future, and their ideas will help shape the discussions at the ACS next year. They’ve shown us the path forward, and it’s up to us to listen.”
Sophy Mateus, a grade 9 learner from Roedean School, reflected on the experience, noting the value of bringing children across the country to engage on important issues. She expressed hope that next year’s summit would include more dialogue on policy-making and its direct impact on children’s lives.
Karl Muller, from the NMCF, highlighted the event’s success, remarking on how clearly the children articulated their need for psychosocial support, inclusion, and a more responsive educational system. He noted that these outputs would be shared with the Department of Basic Education, and further explored in the lead-up to the 2025 summit.
As we look forward to April 2025, it’s clear that the ACS will provide a platform for even more voices to be heard, as South Africa’s youth continue to lead the way in shaping their future. The pre-summit has set the tone: Children aren’t just participating in the conversation, they are leading it.
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