By Evans Dakwa
Beitbridge-The Junior Councillors Program being championed by the Beitbridge Rural District Rural Council and World Vision went a notch higher yesterday as junior councillors from the District took part in a full council meeting with their seniors as they get an appreciation of the operations of Council.
Rooted in the ‘Catch them young’ philosophy, the program seeks to successfully engender and deeply instill firm confidence in the envisaged future leaders and give them on job training.
As they listened to proceedings, excitement was visible amongst the young leaders led by their chairperson Andile Moyo who had the priviledge to give the concluding remarks and vote of thanks to the joint meeting.
“Today we had a gathering with our senior councillors in order for us to get the introductions and development plans, we got that exposure and got to know projects that are being done in the Rural District. With the help of the senior councillors we hope to strive for better development and further synergies, said Andile Moyo the BBDRC Junior Council Chairperson representing ward four.
“We also hope to be able to start speaking for the young people out there who are facing a lot of problems, we represent those that do not have the voice to speak for themselves,” he added
The World Vision which facilitates the attendance of the junior council to full council meetings where they are addressed and appraised of developments said the program helps to shape responsible citizens.
Head of World Vision in Beitbridge Pretty Dube said: “We want to have the children’s voices as well as to capacitate them lead and be responsible citizens, is not our sole responsibility as World Vision but we are assisting.”
The Junior Councillors program is a welcome development and a conducive platform for children to participate in the development of their Beitbridge District and nurture leaders that will take the baton from the current crop of leaders.