Opinion by Thabani H Moyo
AFRICA has seen an abrupt change as a consequence of Covid-19 pandemic. Schools, theatres, play grounds, recreational parks, churches and other facilities have closed down. The closure of these spaces has impacted negatively and reversed some important gains in areas such as education, sports, arts and culture for the African child. Everything is difficult to do. In children’s spaces, theatres, schools and everything has gone silent. Anything is difficult to do.
This year’s celebrations for the day of the African Child come at a time most countries within the continent are on lock down. The future of the African child is faced with uncertainty. Most of the children are in fear as to what tomorrow holds for them. Covid-19 restrictions put in place to contain it, have hit African children hard.
Every activity seems to have migrated to some online platforms. However, the majority of African children do not have the capacity to follow most of these activities to online platforms. The majority of these children live in rural areas where there is no internet access. Connectivity is low. Even if connectivity is there most of these children do not have the gadgets to connect with so that they can partake on these online platforms. Even if some of them have these gadgets they still face the challenges of the cost. Most of them are languishing in poverty and cannot afford data. It is in this light that Africa celebrates the day of its child. Even before Covid- 19, the African child was faced with a number of challenges such as poor education, malnutrition, poverty, disease, violence and many more.
African children are faced with lack of infrastructure and resources, and skilled personal in different areas to help them realise their dreams. African governments are doing very little to promote the African child. Most of the leaders in governments are busy looting resources for personal aggrandisement. Poor governance is the biggest huddle that the African child faces today. Leadership seems to forget that the future of African is in its children.
The African child needs technology to survive in the 21st Century. Technology plays a major role when it comes to access to services like education, training, health, entertainment and communication. But as Africa celebrates the day of the African child few privileged children have access to technology and the internet.
Africa needs new spaces where her children can interact freely with their peers, artists, teachers, politicians and business. African children need new ways where they can work together with their adult counter parts. The African child need new spaces where they can be heard even in times of Covid 19 pandemic. There is need for United African Spaces for the children. They are the future generation. The African child need to be equipped with digital skills so that they can partake in the digital space.
The African child needs new social encounters and reinforcement when it comes to inspiration. The world is moving towards digital education and digital art and the African child needs to partake in these spaces. There is need for African children to test the new technologies, play with them, experiment and get used to them.
Covid-19 restrictions have intruded on the rights of African children. They have been made invisible and silent. Covid-19 has revealed and exacerbated challenges that already existed in Africa. Whatever the case is, Children have a right to education, to play and participate fully in cultural and artistic life. African governments must invest in new spaces and new formats for children so that they can realise their potential.
