Sol Plaatje Municipality launches junior council to give children a voice in local government

THE Junior Council, comprising council members between the ages of 10 to 16 years, will be introduced to their peers next year as part of the 2026 Back-to-School programme.

The manager of the Gender and Special Programmes Unit at Sol Plaatje Municipality, Lahlu Mabula, said the formation of the Junior Council was aimed at promoting and highlighting the rights of children in government policies.

“Children are faced with many challenges, and yet their voices are not finding expression in government. We saw a need to establish these forums for children to have a voice and share dialogues. It will allow them to find solutions to challenges in their wards.” 

She said that the junior leadership was elected, as part of a pilot project, to represent 27 wards in the Sol Plaatje municipal district.

“Council meetings will be held during the school holidays so that their council duties do not interfere with the school calendar. The councillors will serve for a period of two years. We intentionally did not include Grade 12 learners as that is an exit grade, and they will not be able to conclude the two-year term,” she said.

She stated that the Junior Troika, consisting of the Junior Mayor, Speaker and Council Whip, would be introduced at the different schools in the city next year.

“Fellow pupils will get to know their representative and be informed of how they can be part of the programme in future,” she said

Mabula added that the junior council laid the foundation for the formation of a Junior Provincial Legislature.

“Sol Plaatje Municipality, in partnership with the Office on the Rights of the Child in the Northern Cape Premier’s Office, launched its first Junior Council in October, following the culmination of the Children’s Ward Forum.” 

Grooming future leaders

She said junior council members were formally sworn in by the National Ambassador of the Boys Parliament, Shaydon Bezuidenhout.

“An election process followed, whereby the Junior Speaker, Ameries Kouter; Junior Mayor, Reabone Melakeco; Junior Municipal Manager, Siphamandla Kolodzi and Junior Whip of Council, as well as two Junior Sergeants of Arms, were elected.

"This programme will offer insight into how council proceedings are conducted and equip children for future roles in government and leadership. Even those who opt not to pursue political careers will have a better understanding of municipal policies. These children will not only educate their peers, but also their own community members and families on the importance of participating in public participation programmes,” Mabula added.