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Is Africa Overlooking Its Greatest Asset—Its Children? International Day of the African Child – Monday, June 16

“The question we must all ask ourselves is: Are we planning and budgeting for this future? Are we building structures that will allow these children to thrive?” Opinion Piece by President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Today, on the International Day of the African Child, the President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, continental governing body of rugby in Africa, (www.rugbyafrique.com) releases an opinion piece titled “Is Africa Overlooking Its Greatest Asset-Its Children?”:

What does it mean to be an African child?

Too often, that question is answered through the lens of struggle, poverty, hunger, lack of access, marginalisation. But being an African child is not just about hardship. It is about untapped greatness. It is about possibility. It is about standing at the crossroads of the youngest and fastest-growing continent on earth, with the power to shape not only Africa’s destiny but the future of the world.

This June 16, as we mark the Day of the African Child, I urge governments, sports bodies, communities, families to stop thinking of our children as a burden to carry and start seeing them for what they are: our greatest resource. 

Africa is young. UNICEF (https://www.unicef.org) reports that by 2055, one billion children will call our continent home. One billion dreams. One billion lives full of potential. The question we must all ask ourselves is: Are we planning and budgeting for this future? Are we building structures that will allow these children to thrive?

The 2025 theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” could not be more fitting. We must hold ourselves accountable for whether our policies, budgets, and actions have moved beyond rhetoric. The truth is, for many children, education is still a privilege, not a right. Too many go to bed hungry. Too many girls are left behind. The International Labour Organisation (ILO)(https://www.ilo.org) states that over 72 million African youth are not in education, employment, or training. 

But there is also hope. Because we can do better. We must. It begins with values.

At Rugby Africa, the continental governing body of rugby across Africa, we are guided by the values of our sport: integrity, respect, solidarity, passion, and discipline. These are not just words. These are the foundations of character. Whether you are big or small, rich or poor, from the north or the south, rugby welcomes you. And in welcoming you, it gives you tools: to lead, to dream, to rise.

We have seen the difference that rugby can make in the lives of young people, on and off the pitch. Through grassroots festivals, community clinics, school partnerships, and coaching programs, rugby becomes a safe space where children can grow in confidence and in values. When we introduce rugby into schools, we are not just introducing a sport. We are introducing purpose.

Africa doesn’t need saving. We must save ourselves. And that starts with investing in our children, not only financially, but emotionally, culturally, and morally. Because every time we build a rugby field, we are building a future. Every time we mentor a girl or boy through sport, we are investing in leadership. Every time we celebrate the African child, we are declaring: You matter. You belong. And we believe in you.

On this day, I call on all Rugby Africa unions, clubs, schools, and communities to make children the focus for this year. Host festivals, organize matches, launch conversations—whatever it takes to show that we see them, we hear them, and we are with them.

We must honour the legacy of the brave students of Soweto in 1976—not only by remembering their sacrifice, but by living up to their vision: a continent where every child has the right to learn, to grow, and to dream in their own voice.

Because the story of Africa’s future starts now, with them.

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Media Contact: 

Nicole Vervelde 

Communications Advisor  

nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com 

About Rugby Africa: 

Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.