Message By Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandindaitwah, President Of The Republic Of Namibia, On The Occasion Of The Day Of The African Child, 16 June 2025 The President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, joins Namibians and the broader African community in commemorating the Day of the African Child on 16 June 2025, under the theme "Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress since 2010". In her message, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says: “The Day of the African Child (DAC) serves as a poignant reminder of the 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, where courageous students stood against injustice and demanded at great cost their right to quality education and to be taught in their languages. We pay tribute to their brave and unwavering spirit, which inspired students and young people in the region to pursue justice, equity, and dignity. Today, Namibians are united with fellow Africans in commemorating the Day of the African Child under the theme ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress Since 2010.’ Indeed, it is an opportunity to reflect on the journey we have travelled in child protection, recognising that children are the future of our countries. Their well-being and inclusion in the development process are paramount for the attainment of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. As a signatory to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Namibia remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of children, fostering inclusivity and value for all citizens. The Namibian Government is working to ensure that our national aspirations resonate with the broader continental vision for child protection and development. In line with the 2025 Africa Day theme, “Planning and budgeting for children's rights: progress since 2010", the Government has made commendable progress in terms of designing and funding policies and programmes aimed at advancing the welfare of the Namibian child, setting them on a path toward socio-economic transformation and a prosperous future. These commitments are reflected in our healthcare and education system, where the Government provides free basic and secondary education and healthcare services to children. I commend the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare for prioritising the development of Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes, ensuring access to quality care learning environments, particularly in rural areas, and consistently dedicating efforts to resource allocation and programme implementation. Despite achievements, more remains to be done as children continue to face various challenges, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child labour and malnutrition. I call on all stakeholders to work in the interests of the child by fostering cross-sector collaboration, sustained investments, strategic planning, continued public-private partnerships, and active participation from families, communities and all other stakeholders. On this Day of the African Child, let us prioritise our children's well-being, ensuring their protection, education, and empowerment for them to participate in society, to achieve their dreams and to become responsible citizens. Happy Day of the African Child!