From 2011 to 2013 the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) and the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities came together to create a platform where children could raise their issues. This platform was then known as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. When the ministry was dissolved, the Fund together with the National Department of Social Development and Save the Children South Africa collaborated and continued with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament (NMCP). 
Each year, children representatives from all provincial districts attend the children’s parliament, where they elect their peers to become ambassadors to serve for a year and represent their respective provinces. In addition to this, the ambassadors elect a speaker and a president that will preside over the proceedings. Over the years’ children have presented their declaration to government and leaders of civil society on issues that affect them with little response to their concerns. As a result, the provincial ambassadors, speakers, presidents and Efeng Bacha (the Fund’s advisory committee which is made up of children & you), have come together to develop the 1st South African Children Manifesto. 
The manifesto is a call to all political parties, government at all levels, private sector, Chapter 9 institutions, labour movements, State Owned enterprises and Broader Civil Society Organisations to engage, adopt, commit and implement the priorities of the South African Children’s Manifesto. 
The Children’s Manifesto is a response to the President’s call in his 2019 SONA that stated “Our programmes must be measured, first and foremost, by the impact they have on our children. Though they constitute a third of our population, though they hold within their hands the future of our nation, the voice of our children is seldom heard.” 
They cannot vote, they do not set policy, and are therefore easily ignored. Yet their interests must be placed at the forefront of our policies as future leaders of this country. 
The children will present to political parties and government issues pertaining the four pillars of section 28 of the South African Constitution, UNCRC, ACRWC, international, regional and domestic legislative instruments 
- Child Protection 
- Child Development 
- Child Survival 
- Child Participation 

Guest Speakers Include: 
Angie Makwetla: Human Rights Commissioner 
Sibongile Mkhabela: CEO – Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund 
​Theo van Westhuizen – 2017 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament President 
Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (Seminar Room) 
6 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 
Date: 16 March 2019 
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 
Media Enquiries:
Tsietsi Lakajoe
Mobile: 079 109 4093
Office: +27 (0)11 274 5624
Email: TsietsiL@nmcf.co.za

Kagiso Bonoko
Mobile: 079 768 8070
Office: +27 (0)11 274 5624
Email: KagisoB@nmcf.co.za

​The theme for the 2019 Children’s Manifesto is “Investing in South African Children”.  The goal of the manifesto is to hold Political Parties, Chapter 9 Institutions and Government accountable to the needs and wellbeing of South African children. In addition to ensure that the manifestos of different political parties respond to the wellbeing of South African children. The manifesto will also channel the issues of children into parliament and the different portfolio committees.

Bafana Bafana and Paraguay shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening.

Warm greetings from chilly New Haven. I hope this message finds you well!

I’m writing to share with you an exciting opportunity for African secondary school students (ages 14-18) to participate in the Yale Young African Scholars Program. We had a very successful program this past July and August, and are now gearing up for our next edition in 2019.

Students from ALL African countries are eligible and encouraged to apply. Next year we will host YYAS in three locations: Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, with a total of 300 students (100 per session). There are no tuition, meal, or lodging costs to participate. Travel grants are also available to those who demonstrate financial need— which, if awarded, would cover the full cost of a roundtrip plane ticket.

NB- We are particularly keen on receiving applications from students who live in rural areas, and/or do not have university guidance in their schools or communities. While students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, our admissions committee will give preference to high-achieving, low-income (“HALI”) students.

Kindly help to circulate this Call within your respective networks, and share with any students who you think would be good candidates. The deadline is 06 February 2019. Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Dagan Rossini
Fellow | Young African Scholars Program
Yale University
393 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
+1-203-432-1115
dagan.rossini@yale.edu
https://africanscholars.yale.edu

12 November 2018 – Bafana Bafana will play Paraguay in the Nelson Mandela Challenge Centenary celebrations at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on Tuesday, 20 November 2018.
The match will kick off at 19h00 and comes three days after South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Nigeria at FNB Stadium on 17 November 2018.
​
SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan who made the announcement in Johannesburg on Monday, 12 November 2018 said they could not have come up with a better opposition to mark 100 years of South Africa’s icon and father of the Nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

“We urge football fans to come in their thousands to pay homage to this South African and global icon whose love for children is well documented.

“The match between Bafana Bafana and Paraguay is a fitting tribute to this giant who would have been 100 years this year,” said the SAFA President.

Dr Jordaan said SAFA will donate R1,5 million towards the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund as children were the closest thing to Madiba.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Durban and Moses Mabhida Stadium for partnering with SAFA in making sure this giant is given a fitting tribute in this momentous year,” he said.

The NMCF CEO, Sibongile Mkhabela also urged the people of Durban to turn out in numbers to make sure this year’s tournament is a memorable one.

“This is the Centenary Year where our hero Nelson Mandela would have been hundred years and the Fund’s theme is “a Madiba in every generation”. 

Mkhabela said South African children remain vulnerable as they are subjected to all forms of abuse something which was exacerbated by rising unemployment statistics.   

“Madiba’s wish was to build a specialised dedicated hospital for children.  We are proud to announce that the hospital is in operation and once more we take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders and donors who have made this dream come true,” she said.

The NMCF CEO said they were grateful of SAFA’s massive gesture in whose contribution goes a long way in making sure children are the ultimate beneficiaries.

“We can’t thank SAFA enough but as NMCF, we are really grateful of the Association’s annual contribution and we hope this year’s celebrations will be the best,” added Mkhabela.
Bafana Bafana and Paraguay have clashed on three occasions to date.

Their first meeting was in 2002 in Busan, South Korea during the 2002 FIFA World Cup which was co-hosted by Japan and Korea. The match finished 2-2 with Teboho Mokoena and Quinton Fortune finding the net for the Jomo Sono-coached side.

The two sides met again in 2008 in Attridgeville’s Lucas Moripe Stadium where Bafana Bafana beat Paraguay 3-0 with goals from Surprise Moriri, Benni McCarthy and Simphiwe Tshabalala. The team was then coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The two side’s last clash was in 2010 in the Paraguay’s capital of Asuncion. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with again Siphiwe Tshabalala finding the back of the net.
Bafana Bafana played their first Nelson Mandela Challenge match against Zambia in May 1994, which South Africa won 2-1.

Among other nations they have hosted, are the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon.

The last edition to be played was in 2016 when South Africa defeated Egypt – the following year it was not played due to rescheduled 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This will be the 24th match of the annual event.
Bafana Bafana have won 12 fixtures, lost 8 and drawn three.

Tickets are already on sale at R40 at Computicket, Checkers and Shoprite Checkers stores across the country.

In 2005 Nedbank joined forces with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund to realise Nelson Mandela’s dream of giving South Africa’s children the best chance at a future. Today we continue his legacy with the Nedbank Children’s Affinity as we work to vaccinate as many children as possible, so we can tackle the child mortality crisis in our nation. The first 1000 days of a child’s life is the most critical health issue because of the lack of immunisation, access of mothers to healthcare facilities and children to medical health care. You can help South Africa achieve a bright future by joining the #VaxTheNation movement. Help Nedbank support the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at no cost to you and stand a chance to win double tickets to the Global Citizen Festival on the 2nd December 2018. Find out how
click here.

Date: Saturday 27 October
Time: 10h00 to 18h00
Venue: Nirox Sculpture Park – Cradle of the Humankind
For more info Click here