UNICEF celebrates World Children's Day with Sonwabo ECD Centre

Through art, song and dance, children shared their hopes and dreams, represented on a beautiful Tree of the Future.

A little make prints of her hands on big screen with a tree painted shape painted in black with colourful hand prints for leaves.
UNICEF/UNI693886/Heinrich Stofberg
28 November 2024

World Children's Day 2024 was themed "Listen to the Future" and this is exactly what UNICEF South Africa did at its celebrations held together with Chery South Africa and the little stars of Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng province. Through art, song and dance, children shared their hopes and dreams, represented on a beautiful Tree of the Future. 

"It was a pleasure to commemorate World Children’s Day with Chery in South Africa. By listening to children, we can fulfil their rights. Children painted a Tree of the Future reflecting their ideas for a better world."

Irfan Akhtar, UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative

Watch the video and see how be celebrated World Children's Day in South Africa along with children around the world.

Embedded video follows

Listening to children’s bold ideas and creativity is essential to building a better world for every child, now and always.

UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, plays with children during the World Children's Day 2024 celebrations. UNICEF
UNICEF/UNI693968/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, plays with children during the World Children's Day 2024 celebrations.
The outlines of big tree of the future painted on large white screen with a Chery banner on the left and UNICEF on the right. The
UNICEF/UNI693952/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng.
A colourful poster with the rights of the child represented by brightly coloured blocks lay on a table along with colourful markers. A
UNICEF/UNI693955/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng.
UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, plays with children during the World Children's Day 2024 celebrations. UNICEF
UNICEF/UNI693948/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, plays with children during the World Children's Day 2024 celebrations.
Hana Yoshimoto, Chief of Education at UNICEF South Africa, poses with children from Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre. Hana
UNICEF/UNI693888/Heinrich Stofberg Hana Yoshimoto, Chief of Education at UNICEF South Africa, poses with children from Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre.
UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar lifts a smiling little girl in the air, while a little boy standing in front of them reaches up with his arms. UNICEF
UNICEF/UNI693944/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, plays with a child during the World Children's Day 2024 celebrations.
Tony Liu, Chery South Africa Deputy Executive Manager, addresses attendees at the World Children's Day celebrations. Tony
UNICEF/UNI693890/Heinrich Stofberg Tony Liu, Chery South Africa Deputy Executive Manager, addresses attendees at the World Children's Day celebrations.
Nomsa Mathe, Principal of Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre, addresses attendees at the World Children's Day celebrations. Nomsa
UNICEF/UNI693889/Heinrich Stofberg Nomsa Mathe, Principal of Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre, addresses attendees at the World Children's Day celebrations.
Little hands painted blue and red. Little
UNICEF/UNI693887/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng.
Children make colourful prints of their hands on a white screen. Children
UNICEF/UNI693884/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng.
Drooti Kala, Partnerships Specialist at UNICEF South Africa, helps a child hand paint the Tree of the Future during the World Children's Day celebrations at Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre. Drooti
UNICEF/UNI693881/Heinrich Stofberg Drooti Kala, Partnerships Specialist at UNICEF South Africa, helps a child hand paint the Tree of the Future during the World Children's Day celebrations at Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre.
UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, holds hands with Chery South Africa's Deputy Executive Manager, Tony Liu in front of the Tree of the Future. UNICEF
UNICEF/UNI693877/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, holds hands with Chery South Africa's Deputy Executive Manager, Tony Liu in front of the Tree of the Future.
UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng. UNICEF
UNICEF/UNI693875/Heinrich Stofberg UNICEF South Africa and Chery Automobile joined hands to celebrate World Children's with children from the Sonwabo Early Childhood Development Centre in Katlehong, Gauteng.