S Sekoati: Family Day

21 October 2006

Programme Director
Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli
Executive Mayor of Vhembe District, Clr Irene Mutsila
Mayor of Thohoyandou, Cllr Vhamusanda
Councillors from the Local Municipaties
District Manager
Government officials present
Ladies and gentlemen

In 1994, when we celebrated our hard earned freedom and democracy, the
United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared the same year, the “Year of the
Families”. Whilst we work tirelessly in building our new nation we should not
neglect the family. In celebrating the Family Day during the Social Development
month which is October, we should also not lose side of the fact that 15 May
every year is the International Day for Families.

We have consciously chosen a Children's Home to celebrate our Family Day, to
make you aware of children who need your help in your own doorsteps. These
children are not here because they have committed any crime or came to this
home because of their own choice, we must take care of them.

As government we call upon you to bond with these children so that they can
be part of you. When the schools close you should invite these children into
your homes so that they join you, your families and communities so that they
become part of you. We need to learn to adopt these children. Let us go back to
the days when we use to say “every child is my child”, or to the biblical verse
that says “Those who seek the Kingdom of heaven should have love for
children”.

There is an Africa saying that goes, “N`wana wavho ndi n`wanaga”. The other
one goes, “Vhabebi vhavho ndi vhanga”. We are saying as government that in the
context of the growing poverty, how you and me as individuals and communities
should act in ways that every day of our lives breathes life into these
sayings.

It is not in the liking of government to have places like children's homes.
It is also un-African to let children stay away from their communities. The
government has no choice since you have abdicated your responsibilities as a
community. We must vow never to sleep nor rest until every child in South
Africa is not neglected. Today, let us rededicate ourselves to family values.
Unlike other nations, Africans have nuclear families and extended families and
we appeal that these children become your extended families. Let's not make
today, 21 October 2006, our first and last visit but a beginning of a strong
bond between us and these children.

The children in the children home are not sick or dangerous, so let our
children come and play with them. As a community we can stop the flow of
children to this place by starting to adopt them. Some people are attracted to
foster care because there is money to receive from government. Are we money
driven or love driven? Let's continue to applaud those of us who are fostering
these children for good reasons.

Our former president Nelson Mandela once said, “Children are the most
vulnerable citizens in any society and the greatest of treasures”. When a new
family is started we cry loud for God to bless us with children and once we
have them we make their lives miserable. Our children have turned to be our
worst enemies because, the ways in which we bring them up leave much to be
desired. Children are good when it comes to emulating and if our homes are
turned into boxing rings by parents and a base for hurling insults, what type
of future are we building?

Let us not look back in anger nor forward in fear but look around in
awareness. Let us ask ourselves a question, what can I do to make South Africa
a better place for every child to leave in harmony? The government is coming
with many programmes like moral regeneration and poverty alleviation. Our
department is funding many of poverty alleviating projects. We cannot all rely
on what the government is offering and let us collectively save the family and
our children.

Programme Director, let me conclude by specifically calling on the
faith-based organisations that we as a department will be drawing on your
knowledge and the experience of working with communities. We expect you to take
the lead in the campaign of moral regeneration in our society that encompasses
the mind, body, spirit and community.

Once again I leave you with the words: “N`wana wavho ndi n`wanaga”. “Vhabebi
vhavho ndi vhanga”.

I thank you!
Nda!

Issued by: Department of Health, Limpopo Provincial Government
21 October 2006
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za)