M Tshabalala-Msimang: Launch of situational analysis of children

16 April 2009

Programme director
Dr Aida Girma - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Country
Representative
Head of Policy in the Presidency
Task team members and facilitators
Members of the press
Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning

"A country that does not care for their child has no future," said OR
Tambo.
Children are the future of any country. They certainly are the most precious
gift and future of South Africa; hence we jealously guard and guide them!
The Constitution of South Africa, the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (AC), the
latter two ratified by South Africa in 1995 and 2000 respectively, are used as
framing devices to assess rights' implementation of the South African
children.
It has been 15 years since this country attained Democracy. We have had to
re-assess the situation under which our children live and develop. Whilst aware
that some issues like poverty, which are a legacy of our past, cannot be wished
off with a magic wand, we are committed to continuing to improve the situation
of the children in South Africa.

With this goal in mind, government commissioned a study, which was led by
UNICEF, to analyse the situation of children in South Africa between 2007 and
2008. The findings of this study will help the country to identify some of the
areas which need strengthening so as to ensure that children in this country
are secure, protected and enabled to develop in healthy environments. Many of
the issues need multisectoral/multidisciplinary effort to address them in a
meaningful and sustainable way for the good of the children. Not withstanding
the challenges of decent housing, road and communication infrastructure,
quality education and healthcare especially in rural areas, we believe
government has achieved major milestones in a short decade and a half. This
however does not make this country complacent on issues relating to children’s
rights to survival, development and protection.

The fact that issues of co-ordinating children's issues are located in the
highest government office of the Land should be testimony of the importance
this country attaches to issues which affect children. What is needed is for
all stake holders, including families and communities to continue improving the
environment so that children can attain the highest benefit from the
constitutional, legislative and policy provisions which this country has
espoused. Allow me to mention that as we promote children’s rights we need to
balance them with responsibilities and also within our good cultural values
which continue to identify who we are as a nation. Children themselves should
be proud to exercise certain responsibilities which are part of balanced
development.

This report identifies some challenges which include, among others, child
poverty which often relates to family income and access poverty; the issues of
child survival and health which relate to the still high though reducing infant
mortality due to non communicable and communicable diseases including HIV and
AIDS and malnutrition; the challenge of qualified teachers for Early Childhood
Development(ECD), education in science and technical subjects to open more
opportunities for skills development and employment for our children.

The care and protection of our children is an issue that needs urgent
attention. Although there have been very progressive legislations to protect
children, some of the practice of ignoring and hiding the violation of
children’s rights, inconsistent law enforcement and, possibly ignorance,
continue to expose the children to harmful practices.

You may be aware of the recent revelation in the press of a harmful practice
of "Ukuthwala" the abduction and forced early marriages of young girls in some
parts of the Eastern Cape and, possibly, some other areas of the country. As
Government we have had to intervene swiftly through ongoing consultation with
traditional leadership.

His Majesty King Sigcau of Pondoland has categorically condemned this
practice and pronounced on 6 April 2009 that it must stop. A pledge of
commitment to facilitate stopping of this practice has been signed by Minister
in the Presidency, Minister of Public Works and the Mayor of OR Tambo District
– on behalf government.

All spheres and sectors of government, traditional leadership and
communities have committed to work together to eliminate this harmful practice
so that girls in these areas can feel free and safe to pursue their education.
This will enable them to achieve their life ambitions and further empower them
to contribute meaningfully to the development of this country.

The report referrers to some issues which are cross cutting like the
pervading poverty in some remote areas which should continue to receive special
attention. The issue of children with disabilities and their access to
opportunities continues to pose challenges which are critical to society. The
report further recommends that more resources need to be allocated to
programmes that deal with health service provision for children, early
childhood development, and compulsory education and to support children in
difficult circumstances and in need of care.

The issue of interdepartmental co-ordination needs to be strengthened so as
to promote the mutual enforcement of the Rights of all the South African
Children. Research and quality data collection and analysis need to be an
ongoing practice in order to enable the country to track the progress of
implementation of all the strategies which are aimed at improving the welfare
of children. This is critical in informing future policy and programme
reviews.

Notwithstanding these challenges, I am pleased to note that the report
highlighted many areas where there has been progress. In addition to the
Constitution, the legislative reforms, eg the Children's Act 38 of 2005, have
provided a backbone along which we continually lean to guide the promotion and
protection of the rights of children. In the education sector, the non-fee
school policy meant to ensure that no child misses schooling because the family
is poor is benefiting some children. This needs to be widely enforced for the
benefit of all children who deserve it.

Government assists with some budget for scholar transport so as to alleviate
the burden on parents. The child support grant, free health care for pregnant
mothers and children under six years of age and the school Nutrition programmes
are all services that have helped alleviate the impact of poverty to the
beneficiaries. Without attempting to enumerate all the achievements and
challenges, I invite you to read this report which will help guide this
country, along with the promulgated laws and policies, to further improve the
plight of the children of South Africa.

In conclusion,

I thank UNICEF for the immense contribution made to the success of this
study, all the task team members and contributors in the different sectors and
institutions which contributed to this research. Without the children
themselves, this report would not have been as interesting as it is. In it your
voices are being heard and I thank you and the parents who allowed you to
participate, most sincerely.

It now gives me pleasure to officially launch this Situational Analysis of
the Children in South Africa (2007-2008) [PDF]. It will not decorate our
bookshelves but will be used as a mirror to guide the progress being made by
the country and allow us all to continue addressing the areas of challenge. Let
us all show that we are a nation that values and cares for our children!

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
16 April 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)