6 June 2006
The launch of Child Protection Week (CPW) kick-started a range of activities
held under the theme "Caring communities protect children".
Although most activities during CPW were nationally based, the Gauteng
Provincial government also did its part in a bid to make Gauteng a province
truly fit for children.
At the start of CPW on Monday 29 May, launched by Social Development
Minister Zola Skweyiya, the Gauteng Department of Social Development hosted an
awareness campaign on the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs at high schools.
Drug abuse was one of the top focal priorities for the department during the
2006 CPW.
The awareness campaign continued throughout the week at various schools
around the province.
CPW in Gauteng ended on Sunday, 4 June.
To tackle the problems of street kids in Gauteng, the South African Police
Service in partnership with the provincial government embarked on a programme
of handing out mugs of soup and food parcels to street children around
Gauteng.
The Gauteng MEC for Social Development Kgaogelo Lekgoro addressed the people
during the celebration of CPW, held on International Children's Day (1 June) at
the Soul Tsotetsi Community Hall in Sedibeng.
Residents were educated on practices that are harmful and violate children's
rights in the Saulsville informal settlement.
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa addressed local councillors on 1 June,
where he reaffirmed the province's responsibility to children. He called on
councillors as public representatives to take responsibility for making Gauteng
a province fit for children.
Shilowa also re-emphasised that the Moral Regeneration Movement should be
rebuilt and that communities should be re-energised to make it a movement for
them and not only for leaders.
"Let us start by reminding ourselves that today is International Children's
Day and we are in the midst of Child Protection Week. It is therefore
appropriate that we start by reaffirming our commitment to do all in our power
to make Gauteng a province that is truly fit for children," said Shilowa.
He said in doing so, special programmes in municipalities must be
implemented to realise the rights of children, root out abuse, protect and care
for the province's children, uncover crimes against children and bring
perpetrators to book.
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Gauteng Provincial
Government
6 June 2006
Source: SAPA
