NPO puts a fun spin on the Constitution to equip young minds

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Play Africa Acting Manager, Mfanafuthi Mbongwe. 

Listen to the discussion below.

Non-profit children’s museum Play Africa uses creativity to educate children about equality, freedom, and human dignity through its My Constitution programme.

Now in phase 2, the programme is including participation from young minds ahead of the national elections.

Mbongwe says ultimately the Constitution symbolises the future of children, so it is important to get them to understand how it works for them.

The programme touches on topics such as public voting, safe spaces, shelter, clean drinking water, freedom of speech and many others.  

“My Constitution has a playful dialogue and a voting exercise where you can actually role play and explain how voting works in a real scenario but done in a playful way… we build a mock courtroom where kids can take up different roles in the court room and understand the principles of democracy.” 

Mfanafuthi Mbongwe, Acting Manager - Play Africa 

The programme aims to not only educate but also give children a voice in a world that affects them. 

You may think it’s too early because children are currently too young to vote but this knowledge will equip them for the future, says Mbongwe.

“We also find that [even] parents (and teachers) do these programmes when they accompany their children… they wish they also had access to this.” 

Mfanafuthi Mbongwe, Acting Manager - Play Africa 

“We want them [children] to understand that with every right there are going to be challenges and some responsibilities that are expected of us and those who actually have been bestowed to make it possible." 

Mfanafuthi Mbongwe, Acting Manager - Play Africa 

“We have to really understand the dialogue, navigate questions from children, and answer as honestly as possible. The reality of our country is that not everything in the Constitution will automatically be available as much as we hope it could be but it is a work in progress.” 

Mfanafuthi Mbongwe, Acting Manager - Play Africa 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.