Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's replies to oral questions in the National Assembly

Question 12

Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether the government is actively monitoring the increase in the number of child-headed households; if not, why not; if so, (a) how frequently is it done and (b) what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes. The national Department of Social Development receives reports on the number of child headed households identified and serviced, and the types of services rendered to them on a quarterly basis.

The statistics that government relies on are received from Home and Community Based Care organisations which are reporting to provincial departments of Social Development on the number of child headed households identified and serviced, and the types of services provided.

Government attempts to assist child headed households through social workers at the district level who are assigned to these households and whose responsibility it is to link the children to all government services including, but not limited to:

  • psycho-social support
  • linking children with relatives and extended family
  • facilitating access to official documents
  • application and access to social grants such as the child support grant, foster care grant
  • grant in aid and also social relief of distress
  • food parcels

The reason for the continuing phenomenon of child-headed households in South Africa is primarily attributed to HIV and AIDS. Other reasons identified are unemployment that results in people leaving home to seek employment elsewhere; desertion or abandonment of children and excessive abuse of alcohol, which renders adults incapable of parenting.

We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that the hardships suffered by children who have to assume responsibility for their families, are minimised so that all children in South Africa can experience the true joy and freedom of childhood.

I thank you.

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