Owami Mbatha: A Trailblazer Promoting Youth Advocacy at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament
In the vibrant city of East London, at Theron High School, a young leader emerged, ready to make a lasting impact. Owami Mbatha, a Trailblazer+ alumni from the class of 2022, embarked on a journey that would ignite her passion for empowering youth and advocating for change. Her remarkable story serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the transformative power of young voices.
Owami Blazing the Trail
Owami joined the enke Trailblazer Plus (+) program, an initiative aimed at empowering high school students – grades 8 to 11 – to become positively and actively engaged in developing leadership capabilities while driving constructive institutional change, starting with improving school‑based education outcomes. By engaging provincial, district, and circuit systems, school leadership and elected student representatives. The program has three mutually re-enforcing effects: a) to develop a civic population of youth that can drive constructive institutional change; b) to raise the chances of school completion through peer motivation for NEET (Not in Employment, Education, Enterprise or Training) prevention and c) to lift youth employment prospects. It grows participants’ ability to lead while they implement positive change to the attainment of education outcomes. The enke Trailblazer+ program works within the school system engaging provincial, district, and circuit systems, school leadership (management and SGBs) and elected student leadership who are in the Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs).
A voice for children: Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament
Owami is also an ambassador of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament program and was selected through a democratic process with other children who ultimately vote for who gets to represent them and their communities. The process is guided by structures in each province’s premier’s office and municipalities to source and identify these children. Owami attended the 11th sitting of the Parliament which was hosted by Department of Social Development in Bhisho, East London on 14 July 2023.
The theme of the Children’s Parliament was “Maximising the voices of children in addressing social ills affecting them”. Ambassadors from across the country attended the 3-day event where they spoke on issues concerning children as part of their respective commissions & how children can be involved in all spheres of the government in tackling social ills relating to them.
A platform for change
The Children’s Parliament is a platform for children’s participation and affords them the opportunity to influence policy and programmes to ensure that their rights are realised. Recognising that children have the right to express their opinions, the platform allowed children such as Owami to prepare speeches and choose a topic on issues relating to children. Owami’s topic was “Child participation & how the government can involve children in all its spheres when it comes to child-related issues”.
In an interview on eNCA, the Department of Social Department’s Child Rights Advocacy Director, David Chabalala says they normally take all the issues they discussed and put them in a form of a declaration, moreover, they have the National Plan of Action for children which is a 5-year plan that they use to track progress in addressing children’s issues across all government’s spheres. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament helps raise awareness and provides the government with the space to listen to children’s ideas and opinions on how to resolve social ills, especially those that affect them. He further mentions that they have a broader accountability structure and support as they report to the United Nations (UN) and International labour organisations.
Owami’s Impact and Recognition
Owami’s journey is one of passion, dedication, and resilience. Through her involvement in youth-led initiatives, she has become a true advocate for the rights of children and learners. Her transformative work has made a tangible difference in her school and the broader community. By actively championing the voices of children, she has inspired others to follow in her footsteps, amplifying the collective impact.
Conclusion
Owami Mbatha’s story reminds us that young voices possess immense power to effect change. Her participation in the enke Trailblazer Plus program and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament showcases the potential of youth leadership in addressing social challenges. As we celebrate Owami’s achievements, let her journey serve as a catalyst for all to support and empower young leaders who are shaping a brighter future for all.
