Mashudu Mphala
July 12, 2008 – Two representatives of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund’s Youth Parliament attended the Annual Lecture today to present the parliament’s recommendations to Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr Nelson Mandela.
“We, as the youth parliamentarians of Southern Africa, have chosen to take responsibility to speak for those who don’t have the power to speak and those who can’t be heard,” said parliamentarian Mashudu Mphala.
The recommendations include the need for child-friendly leadership, improvements in education, and cultural engagement of the youth and their families.
Mphala and Thabo Ramaine were chosen to address the 800-strong audience, and to hand scrolls containing copies of their resolutions and declaration to Mr Mandela and President Johnson-Sirleaf.
“We stand proud today proving hopeless people wrong that we are not the lost generation,” continued Mphala, a 19-year-old public relations student from Pretoria. She has been involved with the Youth Parliament on a provinicial, national and now regional level, and enjoys the emotional involvement and problem-solving aspects of the initiative.
Thabo Ramaine
Ramaine, 20, works in theatre, and was introduced to the Youth Parliament when he studied at the African Cultural Centre. He wants to direct and possibly teach acting in the future.
President Johnson-Sirleaf responded to the youths, saying, “I’m sure that everybody listening here today will agree that the future of this country and continent rests in the hands of the youths, represented here by these two young people.”
“We have an obligation and a responsibility as family, teachers, and leaders to provide quality education and skills that will enable them to reach their professional goals. We need to take leadership and exercise it in a good environment – that way we will know that we have helped promote the freedom they deserve. I’m so glad hat you are participating in the workings of politics and that you are ready to contribute your share to building this nation,” she continued.
Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, said of the children’s contribution after the lecture, “Before they went on stage, I felt like a mother – like any mother, you’re scared, you don’t want to them to be hurt, and then they take the stage and you know your job is done, and you are so proud.”
Mkahbela added, “If we choose to focus on the good things young people are doing, we can turn things around.”
Read the full speech and recommendations, in pdf format, by clicking here.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Annual Lecture address.