Mpumalanga celebrates Day of the African Child 2009

03 July 2009

MEC Regina Mhaule will deliver a keynote address during the celebration of the African Union‘s initiated African Child Day this Saturday, on 4 July 2009 at York Timber Sports Ground, Sabie in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality.

The main objectives of the commemoration are, among others, to increase the understanding and appreciation among young people to protect their environment, improve public/individual participants’ understanding and appreciation of their environment and surroundings through awareness programmes and knowledge, raise awareness about the environment individuals live in and an attitude of caring and sharing of natural resources and motivate for a behavioural change in the minds of young people.

June16 was declared the African Child Day by the African Union in 2002 and it has since been celebrated annually by member states. However, South Africa celebrated this event for the first time in 2005. No specific date has yet been declared in South Africa but this year’s national event took place under the theme “Africa fit for Children: Call for Accelerated Action towards their Survival” on 20 June 2009 at Bela Bela Municipality in Limpopo Province.

In Mpumalanga this marks the third African Child Day celebration since the inaugural one in 2007 at Valencia Community Hall in Nelspruit.

 More than 1 000 children are expected to participate in various activities ranging from indigenous games, gumboot dance, Science for Fun show, drum majorettes, poetry, drama, cultural activities etc. These events are sponsored by five companies such as Komatipoort Forests, SAPPI, Mondi Forests, York Timbers and LEFPA.

The provincial theme is “Africa fit for Children: MLILO CAMPAIGNM Call for Accelerated Action towards their Survival”

Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, senior government officials from all the spheres of government, representative of the civil society organisations and other dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion.

Details of the event:

Date    :           Saturday, 04 July 2009

Time   :           09h00

Venue :           York Timber Sports Ground, Sabie, Thaba Chweu Municipality

Members of the media are invited to cover the event.

Enquiries:

Mokope Taiwe

Tel: 013 766 2288

Cell: 082 802 8460

Issued by Office of the Premiers Office, Mpumalanga Provincial Government