Earlier today, on the Day of the African Child, we at Kick4Life commemorated the occasion by hosting a Child-Led Panel Discussion. Our Academy participants shared their perspectives, experiences, and aspirations on issues affecting their lives and communities.
Through this open and meaningful dialogue, we celebrated the power of their voices and reaffirmed our commitment to supporting their growth, rights, and well-being.
Before the discussions, there was an introduction to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, delivered by special guest Ms Samrawit Getaneh Damtew, a legal researcher at the Secretariat of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The introduction covered what the African Children’s Charter is, what it does, the 31 rights contained within the Charter, and what makes it unique. The final part focused on this year’s theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa,” highlighting that water is indeed a child’s right.
The discussion was moderated by Mariam Monnapula, a Kick4Life junior player and volunteer tutor in the Academy. Mariam had recently returned from a Child-Led Conference at the University of Pretoria, held from 4–7 June, where she participated in discussions on climate change and education. Her role as moderator provided an opportunity to share what she had learned from the conference with her peers.
The event was informative and inclusive, featuring an equal number of boy and girl panellists. It explored key challenges facing children in Lesotho, including child protection, climate change, education, creativity, leadership, and community participation. The discussion also provided opportunities for children to propose innovative solutions while ensuring that their voices were heard by adults, community leaders, and policymakers.
The panellists were three boys from the Kick4Life Boys’ Development Team, Thabo Motsopa, Makhetha Ntilane, and Kabelo Monnapula, and three girls from the women’s teams: Mamosa Ramotla, Khahliso Seboka, and Hlompho Lets’oara.
The panel discussion explored a range of issues affecting children in Lesotho and across Africa. Participants reflected on the significance of the Day of the African Child and the importance of protecting and promoting children’s rights. They shared their views on the rights they value most, the responsibilities that accompany those rights, and the role young people can play as leaders in their communities, even without formal positions of authority. The discussion also examined the qualities of effective leadership, with panellists offering advice to current leaders and describing the kind of leaders they aspire to become. Conversations highlighted the importance of quality education, community participation, and creating opportunities for children to thrive. Panellists further discussed how sport, music, games, and creativity can unite children, foster personal growth, and contribute to happier, healthier communities.
Responding to questions about leadership and the future of Africa, Hlompho Lets’oara emphasised that true leadership is rooted in service, integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives. She highlighted the importance of leaders listening to and working alongside the communities they serve, rather than seeking power or personal gain. Hlompho expressed her aspiration to become a leader who empowers others, especially children and young people, by creating opportunities and removing barriers to success. As she noted, “Leadership should not be driven by the pursuit of power, position, or personal gain. It should be driven by service, integrity, and a commitment to improving people’s lives. Above all, leaders should care more about the community than their position, and more about impact than money. That is the kind of leadership that creates meaningful and lasting change.”
The session concluded with a safeguarding presentation by Kick4Life’s Academics Coordinator and Safeguarding Officer, Ms Likhapha Khemi. She encouraged children to report and raise safeguarding concerns with the organisation’s safeguarding officers, whether they were directly affected or aware of someone who was.
