Date: 01/06/2010
Source: The Democratic Alliance
Title: DA: Robinson: Speech by the DA spokesperson on women, children and women with disabilities, on International Children's Day, National Assembly

Hon Speaker and Members

Today as we observe International Children's Day I call on the government to do more to protect the children of South Africa. Every day we hear about how the most vulnerable of our society, our children, are abused and neglected. Just last week, the Television programme Carte Blanche revealed some shocking footage about the plight of babies and small children who are traded as commodities by unscrupulous and heartless adults who use the children, to eliicit sympathy from motorists while standing on street corners begging.

The investigation by Elsabe Coetzee of Sipumelele Children's home for abandoned and orphaned children in Johannesburg, revealed the "rent a baby" scheme, where babies were being rented out at R20 per day to professional beggars, that some of the children were doped to keep them passive if they were not already suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. The programme found that one little girl had her toes burnt off, deliberately maimed, so that she remained passive, couldn't crawl and of course, she would also be eligible for a disablity grant!

Some mothers who were returning to Zimbabwe were selling off unwanted babies at about R20 000 to raise cash!

Are children a commodity to be sold, either for muti or as begging accessories?

What must be the depravity or desperation that drives people to do this?

Honourable members, that is a shocking indictement on us as South Africans who pride ourselves on having an outstanding liberal democratic Constitution and on being the leaders in the human rights field in Africa.

This is a crime against International law, helpless children are being sold into servitude.
Dare we call it slavery?

And yet we pride ourselves on being the very model of a modern democracy!

Why was it that the brave human rights activist, was not able to persuade the authorities to raise the alarm about this shameful practice?

Where is our humanity? Where is our ubuntu?

And yet we regularly launch our campaigns on 16 days of Activism against violence, with much fanfare and many T- shirts and caps!

This is a sham, blatent hypocrisy .

What happens to women and children the rest of the year?

Let me quote an extract from the UN Childrens fund of 1997:

"The day will come when nations will be judged not by their military or economic strength, nor by the splendour of their capital cities and public buildings (or stadia), but by the well-being of their people................ and by the protection that is afforded to the growing minds and bodies of their children"

Section 28 of our Constitution provides for additional protection, tailor made for our vulnerable children, amongst others, protection against abuse and neglect.

Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel because we do have the right legislation in place that can protect our children. The Children's Act is appropriate and empowering and in harmony with international law and the various international conventions that have been ratified by South Africa.

However, an act is only as strong as its practical implementation.
To quote the well known authors and practioners, Hester Bosman Sadie and Lesley Corrie,
" Knowledgable legal practicioners, social workers, social service professionals, eduactors and health care professionals will be required for the many services envisioned in the Act. The political will and the availability of funds will have a great impact on the efficacy of the Act.

The African Charter blends Children's Rights with respect for family and community.
Looking at the number of children removed from their families, abandoned or orphaned, poverty, drug and alcohol abuse that tears families apart , legislation is no more than the end of the beginning of the war against harm to children (SA Law Commission) . South Africa has a sound legal framework, the only problem is the implementation.

Hon members, let us reflect on what we as leaders in our communities, as mothers, fathers, gogos and yes, grandfathers, utataomkulu are doing to stop this abuse of little children and to make sure that the laws are implemented, that the funds are made available?

Do we have the political will to make a change, to put the money where our mouths are?
Bills and their implementation must be properly costed.

The old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" must become reality. We must not become silent partners of this disease of child abuse and neglect.

Let us become proud, caring South African legislators.