The DBE, the Department of Social Development (DSD), Save the Children South Africa (SCSA), and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) hosted the 2025 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament (NMCP), in the National Parliament in Cape Town, on 9 October 2025. The event was carried out under the theme: “Amplifying the voices of children in planning and budgeting for children's rights.” This gathering is a significant step towards ensuring that the needs and concerns of children are prioritised in governance and policymaking. The DBE values child rights advocacy and recognises its importance in developing a learner-centred educational system through programmes such as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. In the 2025 national sitting led by the DSD, DBE and partners, the children engaged in meaningful dialogue about the challenges they face through the following five thematic areas:

• Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Providing children with scientific, accurate and age-appropriate information about their bodies and relationships with addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancy and providing support for young parents as well as the related mental health matters.
• Child Participation: Encouraging children to express their opinions and participate in decision-making processes.
• Climate Change: Building resilience and promoting sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on children.
• Alcohol and Drug Use: Providing prevention, treatment, and support for children affected by substance abuse.
• Child Protection: available mechanisms for the protection of children against abuse and exploitation.

The NMCP, hosted in Cape Town, is a call to action for governments, civil society, and communities to work together to create a brighter future for children.  Prioritising child-centred policies and budgets ensures that every child has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.  Thus, the NMCP is one of the structured alternatives that promote child participation in South Africa. Learners expressed their opinions in front of political leaders, including Ministers, partner executives, Speakers of Parliaments, Parliamentary Chairperson, the DSD MEC in the hosting province, and various other political principals, using a question-and-answer format similar to that of Parliament.

At the conclusion of the session, children developed the South African Children's Declaration for 2025-2027, focusing on specific topics raised in the thematic areas. The 2025-2027 elected President is Amogelang Mashele from the Northern Cape, the first female president in over 10 years of implementation in the NMCP national sitting. The Deputy President is Tristan Fortune from the Western Cape. The Speaker is Kelebone Dymond from Limpopo and the Deputy Speaker is Fundzai Phalandwa from Limpopo.