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Childrens Parliament - Northern Cape PRESS RELEASE
NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT ON LEADERSHIP, NORTHERN CAPE
10 JUNE 2008
We the children and young people of Northern Cape have, in this first NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN`S PARLIAMENT on LEADERSHIP, through discussion and debate learned many things about the conditions and circumstances of children and young people in our province. In this the largest province of South Africa we still experience many social problems and challenges like rural development, poverty, inequality, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and other social ills. We acknowledge that while the material condition of children and young people in the country has improved since freedom, not enough attention is being given to children in our province.
We have learnt how important it is to be a leader, and what goes into being a leader; and what responsibilities leaders have to carry. We have learnt that knowledge gives power. It grows with us as part of our experience. Therefore we can learn from each other, through life's experiences.
We have learnt, through this Parliament process, that life is full of challenges like the issue of time management, discipline and other values. We have learnt to appreciate our responsibilities and to be accountable for our actions.
We have learnt that through sacrifice comes reward. We learnt to become more considered, and thoughtful about the issues that affect us. We have learnt to appreciate what it takes to represent others.
In conclusion, we have found that parliament gave us an opportunity to recognise truth as a guiding principle in life. And as bearers of Rights we are grateful for the Rights brought to us by Nelson Mandela when he signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995. Today, in parliament, we were given the opportunity to understand and respect our responsibilities.
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