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According to Kagiso Nazrullah Ntime, the founding President of the Botswana Youth Parliament, June 16 is a day on which member states of the African Union commemorate and celebrate Africa's treasure, the children of this continent. The day started as a way to honour the memory of several black children who died in a march organised to protest against the imposition, by the Apartheid regime, of the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in South African schools and to demand the right to be taught in their language. Whereas the mass demonstrations of June 16, 1976 ended in loss of life, pain, injuries and trauma, I am humbled by the fact that the day has since brought glory and honour to the African child. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), decided to celebrate the day since 1991 and to popularise the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), which was adopted on the 11th of July 1990 and came into force in November 1999. I would like to commend all African Governments that have signed and ratified the ACRWC. In Botswana, the day was inaugurated in 1992 by the then Vice President, Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, at the National Stadium where he addressed more than 10,000 children and since then it has been commemorated every year throughout the country. The founding President of the Botswana Youth Parliament says: "As we celebrate this day, June 16, 2006, whose theme is "THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION:STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN", law/policy makers, governments, NGOs, parents/guardians and other stakeholders should take this opportunity to reflect on the situation of children not only in their respective areas of jurisdiction but also in the global community. I also urge children to think globally and act locally as we move towards building a human rights culture in Africa in general. We should pause and reflect again on some of the thorny issues affecting the African child in the new millennium". He says that of concern are the children infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge who face discrimination and stigmatisation in all spheres of life, child abuse, rape, defilement, hunger, disease, violence and other forms of neglect. He says: "The necessary legislation and programmmes put in place by African governments to cater for the needs of children must be enforced. I have observed with anger that violence on children continues to manifest itself in our local schools and at the family level. Incidents and cases of clear violence inflicted on children have been recorded and reported. One may only wonder how many such cases and incidents go unnoticed. The long arm of the law must extend to those who are insensitive to the welfare of children and to the perpetrators of violence against innocent souls. Atleast Botswana has basic legal instruments such as the Children's Act and the Affiliation Proceedings Act and programmes such as the Orphan Care Programme. Emphasis must be placed on enforcement of the law. "I wish to conclude by observing and noting that this year's theme is closely related to the events of June 16, 1976-the origins of this day. What happened in June 16, 1976 was large-scale violence and merciless brutality against innocent souls who were only demanding their birthright. Today we are talking about other forms of violence such as abuse and torture which literally deny children their right to enjoy life and proper development. This calls for all to make efforts to protect children. The right to protection is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as well as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). I also urge African children to know and understand that tied to the rights are the responsibilities. Let the African child say no to alcohol and substance abuse, no to juvenile delinquency, no to early sexual activities, no to tendencies of gangsterism and other social ills. At the end of the day, the onus is on us all to make the African continent proud by abiding by the provisions of the ACRWC. We must all be committed to the struggle geared towards the emancipation of children's rights and welfare and remain true advocates for the advancement and promotion of the African children's agenda, the agenda for development and empowerment". He exclaims: "Viva!!! The African Child Viva!!!"
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