South Africa is set to host the 2025 Bi-Annual Africa Children’s Summit (ACS 2025) from 4 to 7 April 2025 at Roedean Senior School and St John’s College in Parktown, Johannesburg. The event, a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, is expected to bring together over 1,300 children from across the African continent to address critical issues affecting their lives.
This child-led summit—held under the theme “Seen, Heard, Engaged”—aims to amplify the voices of African children in shaping policy, driving advocacy, and influencing decisions that directly impact their well-being.
Building on the inaugural summit hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2023, this second edition will see 300 children attend in person in Johannesburg, while 1,000 others will join virtually. The event is designed to review progress on previous commitments, tackle pressing challenges such as gender-based violence, inequality, and disability inclusion, and develop new policy proposals to present to governments, civil society, and international institutions.
“This summit is not just a gathering—it’s a movement,” said a DSD representative. “It affirms our commitment to placing children at the centre of the African development agenda.”
The initiative aligns with continental and global frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2040 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, underscoring South Africa’s leadership in child rights advocacy. Since achieving democracy in 1994, South Africa has made significant strides in protecting children’s rights, including the enactment of the Children’s Act and Child Justice Act.
A Platform for Change
ACS 2025 seeks to empower children to lead conversations about their futures, engage in intergenerational dialogue, and offer authentic, child-informed solutions to the challenges they face. The summit will serve as a critical platform for inclusive participation, especially for children from marginalised communities and those with disabilities.
Media wishing to cover the event must apply for accreditation by 28 March 2025 at 14:00, with no extensions or late applications accepted. The summit will be broadcast live on www.dsdtv.org.za
