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Why Day of the African Child commemorations
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
June 13, 2012

The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity. The day is reserved to honor those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 in South Africa. This year's commemorations are under the banner of "The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill".

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children took to the streets, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. More than a hundred young people were killed and more than a thousand were injured in the protest. Since 1991, June 16 has been an occasion to honor the courage of the children who participated in the protests, and to advocate for further action to address the physical and educational needs of children in Africa.

The day also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children. Young people of 18 years and above who are differently abled should be encouraged to participate in democratic processes for example elections rather than being reduced to stone throwers by politicians during election periods. The voting process should be designed in a way that is friendly to meet the different special needs that these young people face. The voting process in Zimbabwe prejudice against the disabled, in most instances they can only vote through the assistance and presence of a police officer which is highly intimidating and insulting. It infringes on one's right to a secret voting process where one chooses the leader of his or her own choice.

It is Heal Zimbabwe contention that young people should be encouraged to be on the forefront of denouncing political violence and advocating for peace in their respective constituencies. In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe joins youth in Chitungwiza to convene a Youth Arts and Sport Concert under the theme, "PEACE IN MY HOOD". Youth in Zimbabwe today are faced with a number of challenges ranging from unemployment to drug abuse. To try and tackle these challenges, there is need for nurturing talent and keep young people occupied in productive activities rather than allowing themselves to be used to beat up people during election times.

On Saturday 16 June 2012, young people from Chitungwiza and surrounding areas will gather at Chitungwiza Community hall in Unit L to compete in various disciplines that include Poetry, Dancing and Singing. There shall be performances from young artists such as XQ, King Labash,C-lla Fox, Mageshi dance groups and many others. It will also be an opportunity to encourage first time voters to go and register as voters and vote in the next election. The best soccer teams from Seke and Zengeza Junior football leagues will battle it out in the June 16 Challenge Cup later in the day.

Heal Zimbabwe will hold similar commemorations in Zaka at Jerera Growth Point on Sunday, 17 June 2012 to give rural youth an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the day. There shall be performances by artists and youth from Masvingo.

The organisation will capitalize on the presence of many youth on these two events to form peace clubs as a sustainability strategy where these young people will meet regularly to discuss issues affecting them and try to come up with strategies to resist being used by politicians to instigate political violence especially during election periods.

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