Christmas and New Year celebrations should not be about abuse of alcohol and drugs as this leads to the neglect and abandoning of children, Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities said today.
Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya was addressing an event organised by her department in Escort, KwaZulu-Natal to encourage all South Africans to care for vulnerable children elderly and persons with disabilities.
At least 1 500 children, disabled people and pensioners attended the event and received food parcels, blankets, school uniforms and other clothing items.
“We call on parents and caregivers not to abandon children for shebeens. We have already had instances of children being left stranded and others raped while parents enjoy themselves elsewhere,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said alcohol has been identified as a common factor in cases of child abuse and murder. “We want to remind all our people that neglecting a child is a punishable crime. Let us report these cases to the police and social workers and make sure that children are protected,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said the number of orphans and vulnerable children was increasing as a result of the economic recession.
“Currently the number of children who have become orphans and vulnerable is estimated at 1,5 million. This number is unfortunately expected to increase to about two million by 2010,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said to respond to the plight of the vulnerable; government was strengthening its social security support with over 13 million citizens receiving social assistance benefits.
“The number of disabled people accessing disability grants doubled over the past six years, increasing from 690 000 in 2002 to 1,2 million in 2008. People with disabilities now constitute the third largest group of social grant beneficiaries after those receiving child support grant and old age pension.
“Government is also bringing parity between older men and women so that by 2010, all older persons irrespective of gender will receive the old pension grant from the age of 60 years,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
She said while government has made efforts to protect the poor, these measures will never be enough without the support of private donors and individuals contributing to charity.
“We urge people as they go on holiday to please remember to make contributions to the charity initiatives of their choice. As we enjoy ourselves, let us remember the many children who are living in the streets, those children who are left with no parents as a result of HIV and AIDS and the many people with disabilities who are left with no support,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
19 December 2009
