Child President Lionel Mazarire Honored as Africa’s Best Youth Leader

Lionel Mazarire, a student at Chinhoyi Technical College in Mashonaland West Province, has been crowned Africa’s Best Youth Leader after receiving the CADAV Africa Philanthropy Award.

The prestigious honor was presented by the Conquerors Association for the Disabled and Vulnerable (CADAV), in recognition of his leadership and advocacy for children’s rights.

The award follows his recent election as Zimbabwe’s Child President for the 2025–2026 term.

Mazarire secured the presidency in a tightly contested Junior Parliament election held in Harare, where he triumphed over nine other candidates drawn from Zimbabwe’s ten provinces.

The democratic process was overseen by the Zimbabwe Youth Council, which praised the high level of youth participation and civic engagement throughout the campaign.

In his post-election address, Mazarire vowed to move beyond symbolic gestures and push for the real implementation of children’s rights.

“We do not want children’s rights just written on paper, they must be upheld and implemented in practice. That is my major area of focus,” he said.

His remarks have been widely applauded by youth advocates and civil society organizations.

According to Zwnews, Mazarire’s commitment to inclusive leadership and his focus on vulnerable communities were key factors in his selection for the continental award.

CADAV, the awarding body, operates across Africa to support people living with disabilities and those in marginalized conditions, and has been instrumental in spotlighting youth changemakers.

As Child President, Mazarire is expected to lead with a focus on action-oriented policies, youth empowerment, and ensuring that children’s voices are represented in national decision-making.