Honourable Western Cape Speaker Masizole Mnqasela hosted a virtual Youth Parliament today. The Youth Parliament, with the theme 365+ days – Youth Lived Experiences under Covid-19 in the Western Cape, provided a platform for the youth to engage on the effects of COVID-19 on the young people of the province. Concluding his introduction and welcome message, the Honourable Speaker highlighted the upcoming local government elections: “Please register for the upcoming elections and participate, not only as electorate but also as leaders.”
Honourable Deputy Speaker Beverley Schäfer welcomed the delegates and encouraged the youth to demonstrate resilience during these times that no-one was prepared for. “Let us move forward and this too shall pass,” she added.
The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19, Honourable Mireille Wenger, provided background information on the pandemic in the world, the country and the province. She briefed delegates on how the WCPP was able to continue with its work during lockdown by holding all standing committee meetings and sittings virtually and providing access to the public by livestreaming the proceedings. She also provided information to delegates on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19. “We need to be adaptable in times like these. We now know more about COVID-19 than a year ago and that brings hope. And we now have the added advantage of vaccines. We know that this pandemic has caused a lot of stress and anxiety amongst young people and we share your concern about the issues you face”, she said.
Honourable Debbie Schäfer, the Western Cape Minister for Education, highlighted how the Western Cape Education Department is addressing education issues in the province. “To say that education was disrupted is an understatement. This pandemic has caused a lasting impact on learners’ future learning capacities,” she said. She explained that the Western Cape Education Department started developing eLearning sites long before the outbreak of COVID-19 and that this assisted them in addressing the situation. She also mentioned that the department continues to support teachers regarding remote learning as classrooms have now moved to online platforms. “We continue to develop weekly lesson plans to support learners when they study at home but we acknowledge that online platforms can never replace traditional education,” she added. She also expressed her gratitude that teachers are now in the process of getting vaccinated.
The following participants posed questions to the Honourable Minister of Education: Lao Molele, representing Cape Metro North; Zipho Bixa, representing the Cape Winelands; Unathi Sandi, representing the Garden Route and Central Karoo; Caylyne-Leigh Marthinus, representing the Overberg; Ludolph Pedro representing the Garden Route; and Percval Koonthea representing the Central Karoo.
After the Minister responded to the questions, Honourable Members of the WCPP and political youth leaders had the opportunity to make inputs: Hon Gillion Bosman of the Democratic Alliance and youth leader Donovan Nelson; Hon Cameron Dugmore of the African National Congress and youth leader Silas Rataza; Hon Petrus Marais of the Freedom Front Plus and youth leader Danielle Nolte; Hon Galil Brinkhuis of Al Jama-Ah and youth leader Dr Saarah Salie; and Hon Member Brett Herron from GOOD, reacted to the presentation by the Honourable Minister of Education.
Mr Matthew du Plessis from the Human Rights Commission highlighted the status of human rights in the province during COVID-19. He mentioned that some of the issues that the Human Rights Commission was approached on included learners not placed in schools and increased mental health issues that negatively affect children staying at home and the stress of COVID-compliance in the school environment. Ms Tessa Goldschmidt of the Office of the Commissioner for Children spoke about the stress that lockdown caused for children that did not have access to support systems outside their home environment. Children felt isolated and limited access to places and people affected their mental health. Many children, already living in poor communities, are afraid that they might lose their loved ones and hunger has become a significant reality to many.
The programme continued with participants sharing their concerns and key priority areas with the Honourable Members of the WCPP to convey to the Executive. These participants included Leila Louw of Saldanha Bay, Mosebetsi Moseki of Theewaterskloof, Amanda Mkhize of Mosselbay, Danny-Elle Carolissen of Saldanha Bay, Inga Mfundisi of Overstrand and Master Sergeant Major Ameerah Johnson of the South African Youth Cadets.
Mr Chris Balie of the Electoral Commission of South Africa motivated young people to fulfil their constitutional right to vote and to make sure that they make use of the opportunity to register on 17 and 18 July for the upcoming local elections.
Honourable Speaker Mnqasela summed up the significance of this event in his closing remarks and thanked all the participants for their valuable contributions. “With what I’ve witnessed here today, the future of the Western Cape is in good hands with the quality of our youth”, he concluded.
