Student Leaders Take On Crucial Decision-Making Role at  NSAAC Children’s Sector Consultation by The Presidency

“Nothing for us, about us – without us!”

These are the words of South Africa’s Representative Council of Learners (RCL) from various provinces across SA, who were invited to participate in the drafting of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) led by The Presidency at the Children’s Sector Consultation held in Johannesburg.

The role of RCLs was put in the spotlight when young leaders said they were the voice of 21 million children who they believe are often left out of crucial decision-making processes when the government drafts policies that affect the country’s youngest citizens.

The RCL is an elected body representing all learners within a school, though legally mandated to provide input on policies affecting young people, RCLs have historically been underutilised in shaping national strategies and decision-making. At this year’s consultation, their involvement fulfilled a legal responsibility and amplified learners’ voices, contributing to decisions that directly affect their lives and futures.

Bontle Motasa, president of the RCL in North West, said they were tired of children being treated like mascots and would prefer to be part of the conversation.

“Often we are used as show ponies and cute mascots for the gains of other people’s agendas and once those agendas are met, we are disregarded and discarded. But we are more than that, we deserve to be heard, prioratised, and included on world stages and in parliament,” she said.

The NSAAC is a national initiative developed in response to the urgent need for coordinated, accelerated efforts to improve child wellbeing. The strategy is an outcome of a process led by The Presidency, which addresses the growing challenges facing children and adolescents, such as child poverty, healthcare access, and educational disparities.

RCLs said their most urgent concerns that need to be addressed are SA’s poor education system, living in poverty, violence toward children, and growing up in a healthy, supportive family environment which are key challenges facing children today.

Mikulu Mbane, RCL leader at Kimberly Girls’ High in the Northern Cape, says young people are tired of having their concerns ignored and as elected representatives by their peers, government should be leaning on them for information as role models, who have direct access to SA’s youth.

“There is a blue tick culture in government, where young people speak up, we beg for help and support, but our pleas are ignored,” she said. “It’s like sending someone a message on WhatsApp and they don’t respond, all you see is a blue tick and no response.”

Speaking at the event, Tyrone Seale, Director of Communications in The Presidency pledged to prioratise the active, present participation of children and adolescents, acknowledging the crucial role they play in shaping the future of South Africa.

Tinotenda Gohodzi from Immaculate Secondary School in Gauteng said RCLs can play a positive role in implementing the NSAAC because they have influence and access to SA’s youth, and they have the willingness to educate their peers.

“We are mentors to our peers, we can raise awareness and have been chosen to be the voice of young people who cannot speak up for themselves,” she said.

The Children’s Sector Consultation was attended by officials from The Presidency, Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, Unicef, Save the Children SA, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, SA National Children’s Rights Coalition, Llifa Labantwana, and the DG Murray Trust.