BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE- In a significant milestone for child participation and inclusive governance, Eswatini has officially launched the National Children’s Consultative Forum, a new platform designed to amplify children’s voices and ensure their meaningful inclusion in national decision-making processes during Children’s Month 2026.
The Forum, comprising 14 pupil representatives drawn from all four regions of the country, was launched at the UN House in Mbabane on June 4, 2026, as part of national activities marking Children’s Month.
The initiative was formally announced by the Principal Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, speaking on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, who described the Forum as a transformative step in recognising children as active contributors to national development rather than passive recipients of services.
She said the establishment of the Forum reflects government’s commitment to strengthening child participation in governance and ensuring that children’s lived experiences inform policy development and national planning.
“The establishment of this Forum is a recognition by government that children are not passive recipients of services, but active participants in shaping their future,” she said.
Rooted in cultural values that recognise early leadership potential, she referenced Siswati expressions such as “umtsentse uhlaba usamila” and “inkunzi isematfoleni”, emphasising that children’s voices are valuable in shaping society from an early age.
She further highlighted that the Forum will institutionalise child participation by creating safe and structured spaces where children can freely express themselves on issues affecting their lives, including education, health, child protection, digital safety, and social welfare.
Delivering an emotional and candid address on behalf of his peers, child representative Wamukelo Zwane welcomed the establishment of the Forum as a long-awaited opportunity for meaningful child participation.
He highlighted the realities faced by many children in Eswatini, including poverty, child labour, limited classroom support, and gaps in access to mental health services.
“There are children who are bright and capable but carry the weight of poverty and child labour, and others growing up in spaces where support systems are not strong enough to meet their needs,” he said.
He also raised concern about the emotional impact of exclusion from decision-making spaces, noting that children often lose confidence when their voices are delayed or dismissed.
“The slow erosion of confidence happens when a child is told to wait until they are older to have a voice. The damage is quiet, but it is real,” he said.
Despite these challenges, he described the Forum as a turning point in strengthening child participation and ensuring that children’s perspectives are included in national dialogue.
The National Children’s Consultative Forum is expected to serve as a structured national platform for children to engage on key issues affecting their wellbeing and development. Their recommendations will feed into national policy processes, particularly in areas such as education, health, child protection, digital safety, and social welfare.
The Forum is expected to begin its formal engagements in the coming weeks, signalling a new chapter in child participation in Eswatini.
CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED
-Manzini Region: Nothando Maseko (Boyane High), Sandziso Dlamini (kaZakhali High), Ayesha Thsabalala (Waterford Kamhlaba), Siyabonga Mordant (St Josepha High)
-Hhohho Region: Wamukelwe Zwane (Waterford Kamhlaba), Minenhle Mabuza (Enjabulweni High), Wamukelwe Mkwanazi (St Marks)
-Lubombo Region: Melokuhle Nkambule (Ntandweni High), Alwande Maziya (Mhlume High), Andiswa Shongwe (Maphilingo High)
-Shiselweni Region: Silindile Bhembe (Dwaleni High), Mphumelelo Sibandze (Jericho High), Hello Nsibandze (Evelyin High), Bagcinile Masilela (Fundukuwela High)
As Children’s Month 2026 continues, the Forum stands as a powerful reminder that sustainable development must include even the youngest voices, ensuring that no child is left unheard in the decisions that shape their future.
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