Mugodhi Elected Zimbabwe's Child President

Harare — Tinashe Mugodhi of St Mary's High School in Harare has been elected Zimbabwe's new Child President following recent Junior Parliament elections, taking over from Lionel Mazarire.

Mugodhi will lead the country's child leadership structure, which serves as a platform for advancing children's rights and ensuring young people participate in national governance and policy discussions.

Joining the new leadership are Vice Presidents Coline Mutepfa of St Augustine's High School in Manicaland Province and Kundi Patrick Chimbuya of Thornhill High School in the Midlands.

In another key appointment, Tarirana Prince Marley from Masvingo Province was elected Speaker of the Junior Parliament.

The Junior Parliament remains Zimbabwe's principal platform for children's participation in governance, bringing together young representatives from constituencies across all 10 provinces, to debate issues affecting children and engage policymakers on matters of national importance.

Established in 1991 following Zimbabwe's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Junior Parliament provides children with a structured forum to influence policies and advocate for legislation that promotes their welfare.

The Child President symbolically represents millions of Zimbabwean children and is expected to champion issues including education, health, child protection, climate change, mental health, digital safety, the fight against drug and substance abuse, and increased youth participation in governance.

Outgoing Child President Mazarire's tenure focused on advocating for improved access to education, combating child marriages and drug abuse, strengthening child protection mechanisms and promoting meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes.