South African Children live in a country that has a Constitution with the highest regard for their rights and for the equality and dignity of everyone. Despite the best efforts of the South African Government and civil society to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation, it is a fact that they still remain vulnerable. To this end Government is embarking on a massive campaign to raise awareness on the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act, as well as prevention and early intervention programmes of all departments and agencies involved. The campaign, known as Child Protection Week will be commemorated from the 1 June to 7 June 2014.
Child Poverty
The newly appointed MEC for Social Development Mr Mxolisi Sokatsha officially launched the Provincial Child Protection Week on the 1 June 2014 at the Lerato Place of Safety in Galeshewe.
Speaking at the launch MEC Sokatsha said “Child poverty cannot be dealt with in isolation from the broader context of the family and community. Most of the South African families and communities, in particular those who were disadvantaged by past regimes find it very difficult to get out of the poverty trap. They have remained poor throughout their lifespan and in many cases across generations. There are many causes of Poverty and its nature is also multi-dimensional. Lack of access to basic services such as housing, water, electricity, education as well as the disintegration of families, communities and social networks make up some of the common features of poverty.
Tackling Child Poverty will therefore require a co-ordinated approach to services for families with young children to improve access to employment, essential public services and early childhood development services. It is very important to recognise the role of parents, community and faith based organisations and the private sector in tackling child poverty. Government cannot uproot child poverty alone but through partnerships with those who embrace the principle of a caring society.
Foster care
MEC Sokatsha also reflected on foster care we he said “Foster care is intended to serve as a temporary haven for abused or neglected children who cannot safely remain with their families".
However for some children, the journey through foster care is characterised by further trauma and abuse; and even in the best situations, foster care is inherently fraught with uncertainty, instability, and impermanence.
It is therefore based on this that the Department of Social Development will be embarking on an intensified campaign during Child Protection Week to ensure that all children in need of foster care and families who have applied to become foster care parents are engaged and interacted with to ensure that all necessary documentation is completed and the correct procedures and processes are followed. This is done in order to avoid any delays in ensuring that the children are placed in safe havens. The Foster Care campaign will also focus on children who are already in foster care but whose temporary placement has expired. Therefore in order to ensure that these children remain in the safety of their current foster care parents we will assist with the renewal of the applications both at the Department of Justice and at South African Social Security Agency(SASSA).
The MEC for Social Development Mr. Mxolisi Sokatsha conveyed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the Sibiya and Mnguni families on the death of their 4 year old Autistic son Nhlanhla Mnguni. It is a sincere tragedy and unfortunate situation that while the rest of the nation is raising awareness on the rights of children with regards to a life free from domestic violence, physical abuse and sexual abuse , the Mnguni family is faced with a death of loved one who was still so young.
The Department of Social Development would also hereby like to reach out to all parents who have children with Autism to contact Ms Mariaan Moolman at 053 8749100 in order for her to assist you to join the Autism Support Group which is being run by the Jannie Brink School for Disabled Children in Kimberley.
In conclusion MEC Sokatsha said to the children in attendance “We see the beauty in you and you are our country".
If you would like to report child abuse cases or incidents that involve children, you can call the following numbers for assistance:
Provincial office
Mr Sipho Nkosi
053 874 9228
CHILDLINE
Ms. Naomi Dube
0800 05555
Frances Baard
Ms. Elise Moorcroft
053 836 6971
Siyanda
Ms. Chamaine Vos
054 337 9407
Namaqua
Ms. Martie Lotz
027 341 1144
John Taole District
Ms Sannah Lekalake
053 712 1549
Pixley Ka Seme
Mr. Erick Hawker
053 632 7600
Enquiries:
Conrad Fortune
Cell: 079 873 0679
