In a world increasingly defined by complex, borderless challenges, creating space for children to engage in meaningful dialogue with policymakers is not just visionary, it’s essential. At the end of last term, St John’s College and Roedean School SA were privileged to co-host the Africa Children’s Summit from 4 to 7 April. Organised by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Department of Social Development, the Summit brought together young people from across the continent in a child-led forum to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time: educational access, climate change, technology and AI, and ethical leadership in Africa.
This was no ordinary conference. The Summit was alive with youthful energy, cultural diversity, and serious purpose. Children from across the continent, from South Sudan to Rwanda and Ghana to Zambia, arrived the night before the opening. By the next morning, our Pre-Prep campus was transformed into a bustling hub of media, translation booths, VIP guests, and, most importantly, the young changemakers. Delegates donned headphones to hear translations in their own languages, an immediate reminder that this was a truly pan-African dialogue.
What stood out most was not the scale of the event, but the clarity and courage with which the children led. They grappled with tough questions, shared stark personal stories, and challenged assumptions. They did not merely participate. They shaped the agenda. They were building, in their own words, “the Africa they want.”
The Masibambane College marimbas set the tone at the opening ceremony, and the Summit unfolded as a celebration of the voices of the youth and African unity. Cultural performances by our partner schools, including Masibambane’s choir and dancers from Dlala Nje, infused the event with a sense of pride and vibrancy. Our own St John’s performers shone from the adorable and professional Pre-Prep Orchestra to the crowd-pleasing Li brothers in dance, the mesmerising piano of Lebeko Mosunkutu (UV Fleming), and the brilliant cast of That’s Life. Student leader Tsiamo Mabiletsa (UV Clarke), who hosted the opening with aplomb, embodied the spirit of youth leadership that defined the Summit. On the final day, Zenande Maki (UVI Runge) performed a DJ set and had people dance to his incredible mixes.
College and Sixth Form students Oliver Boulliart, Litha Tuku, Lila van Reenen, Lwazi Ngwenya, and Sabelo Moyo represented St John's. They ended each day with reflective debriefs, where they grappled with their feelings, their learnings and, oftentimes, their discomfort. One student captured the spirit of Day 1, remarking:
“There were students from different countries, who speak different languages and have different abilities… just because we are not the same doesn’t mean we should get treated with different levels of respect.”
On Day 2, another was struck by the raw, urgent stories shared by delegates from countries in crisis:
“It’s so easy to forget that not everyone’s from South Africa…that some experiences are dire. This showed me how important platforms like this Summit are.”
By Day 3, humility and maturity shaped their reflections:
“I realised that maybe people who have a less fortunate background than I do are more important than me in this summit and their voices need to be amplified, especially considering the magnitude of the problems they have in their lives.”
This is what transformative education looks like, not just academic rigour or polished performances, but empathy, perspective, and the courage to listen. In moments of organisational lag or slow proceedings, our students discovered that change is rarely neat and that leadership often takes place in the spaces in between. Ultimately, they learnt that from discomfort comes growth and an opportunity for reflection.
A personal highlight was seeing how deeply the students engaged, not only sharing their views but listening with intention and respect. On the first day, the delegates were taught how to greet one another in different languages and sign “Africa Children’s Summit” in South African Sign Language. The joy and effort with which this was embraced by students and staff alike (yes, Google helped!) reflected a spirit of inclusion and genuine curiosity.
The excitement was also amplified by the visit from NBA Africa players, who dazzled the delegates with a special showcase, an inspiring reminder that talent, like leadership, can thrive when nurtured with opportunity.
It would be remiss not to thank our incredible staff who navigated logistical complexities with grace and excellence. To host an event of this scale and importance is no small feat. But more than a logistical achievement, it was a testament to what schools can be: convenors of critical conversations, stewards of youth agency, and spaces where the future of our continent is not just imagined, but actively shaped by its youngest voices.
What a privilege it was for St John’s College to serve as the primary venue for this remarkable summit. We look forward to seeing how the seeds planted during those days continue to grow in the hearts and minds of the young leaders who gathered here.
