Date: 03/06/2005
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Rasmeni: Commemoration of Child Protection Week
Address by North West MEC for Social Development, Ms NR Rasmeni, during the commemoration of Child Protection Week held in Kraaipan Village
The Programme Director,
The Executive Mayor of CDM Cllr Mohulatsi,
The Mayor of Ratlou Municipality Cllr Seabelo,
Kgosi Phoi le botlhe babogosi,
All government officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the launch of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in May 1995, former President Nelson Mandela said:
“As we set about building a new South Africa, one of our highest priorities must therefore be our children. The vision of a new society that guides us should already be manifest in the steps we take to address the wrong done to our youth and to prepare for their future. Our actions and policies, and the institutions we create, should be eloquent with care, respect and love”.
This statement set a tone for government on how and with what speed to work to ensure that the rights of children are upheld. It is a fact that over the years government has managed to put in place legislation that protects the right of children.
I always become very emotional when I have to talk about the rights and well being of children in our country. One becomes emotional because of the continued violation of the rights of innocent souls despite different pieces of legislation and programmes being put in place to regulate this.
These programmes always include a call against heinous crimes committed against children especially “the girl child”, but people who can be labelled cruel seem not to understand these calls and continue to violate children.
Section 28 (1) of the South African Constitution clearly states all the rights the child is entitled to, such as education, shelter, nutrition as well as protection from neglect, abuse or degradation. It is for this reason that legislation such as Child Care Act, 1983 was amended to cater extensively for the protection of children and young people. Other legislation that should assist to protect children are Domestic Violence Act, Child Justice Bill, Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993.
It is important that as we do our work as Social Workers, we must try to focus on children in distress, child-headed households, homeless and children living and working in the streets and many others who are vulnerable.
The Child Protection Week, ladies and gentlemen is observed to ensure that we raise awareness within communities regarding child protection issues, children’s rights and responsibilities. We are therefore urging our people to be involved in one way or the other hence our theme for this year is “Caring Communities Protect Children”.
Let us organise ourselves into Child Protection Committees in areas we live in, this will assist to come up with plans for proper investigation, prevention and treatment of child abuse within the confines of National Policy Framework on the Prevention and Management of Child Abuse.
As Comrade Nelson Mandela rightfully said,
“Like all of us, children need a better social and family environment to fulfil their dreams. They deserve, and indeed desire to live a normal life as upright citizens; they are justified in expecting of the new democratic order, meaningful assistance in the quest for a better future”.
We therefore as government call on all abusers out there to refrain from physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. We should also ensure that the criminal justice system put stringent measures to deal with perpetrators of children’s rights.
Children, you must remember that even though you are protected by the constitution you also have responsibilities. You must make sure that you learn and respect adults and do all the right things required of you.
As I conclude let me again urge the community to work together in protecting the rights of children, we should go back to the old practice of “my child is your child, and your child is my child” and he/she belongs to the community not one household.
My appreciation goes to all those who contributed to the success of this campaign.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Social Development,North West Provincial Government
03 June 2005
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Rasmeni: Commemoration of Child Protection Week
Address by North West MEC for Social Development, Ms NR Rasmeni, during the commemoration of Child Protection Week held in Kraaipan Village
The Programme Director,
The Executive Mayor of CDM Cllr Mohulatsi,
The Mayor of Ratlou Municipality Cllr Seabelo,
Kgosi Phoi le botlhe babogosi,
All government officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the launch of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in May 1995, former President Nelson Mandela said:
“As we set about building a new South Africa, one of our highest priorities must therefore be our children. The vision of a new society that guides us should already be manifest in the steps we take to address the wrong done to our youth and to prepare for their future. Our actions and policies, and the institutions we create, should be eloquent with care, respect and love”.
This statement set a tone for government on how and with what speed to work to ensure that the rights of children are upheld. It is a fact that over the years government has managed to put in place legislation that protects the right of children.
I always become very emotional when I have to talk about the rights and well being of children in our country. One becomes emotional because of the continued violation of the rights of innocent souls despite different pieces of legislation and programmes being put in place to regulate this.
These programmes always include a call against heinous crimes committed against children especially “the girl child”, but people who can be labelled cruel seem not to understand these calls and continue to violate children.
Section 28 (1) of the South African Constitution clearly states all the rights the child is entitled to, such as education, shelter, nutrition as well as protection from neglect, abuse or degradation. It is for this reason that legislation such as Child Care Act, 1983 was amended to cater extensively for the protection of children and young people. Other legislation that should assist to protect children are Domestic Violence Act, Child Justice Bill, Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993.
It is important that as we do our work as Social Workers, we must try to focus on children in distress, child-headed households, homeless and children living and working in the streets and many others who are vulnerable.
The Child Protection Week, ladies and gentlemen is observed to ensure that we raise awareness within communities regarding child protection issues, children’s rights and responsibilities. We are therefore urging our people to be involved in one way or the other hence our theme for this year is “Caring Communities Protect Children”.
Let us organise ourselves into Child Protection Committees in areas we live in, this will assist to come up with plans for proper investigation, prevention and treatment of child abuse within the confines of National Policy Framework on the Prevention and Management of Child Abuse.
As Comrade Nelson Mandela rightfully said,
“Like all of us, children need a better social and family environment to fulfil their dreams. They deserve, and indeed desire to live a normal life as upright citizens; they are justified in expecting of the new democratic order, meaningful assistance in the quest for a better future”.
We therefore as government call on all abusers out there to refrain from physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. We should also ensure that the criminal justice system put stringent measures to deal with perpetrators of children’s rights.
Children, you must remember that even though you are protected by the constitution you also have responsibilities. You must make sure that you learn and respect adults and do all the right things required of you.
As I conclude let me again urge the community to work together in protecting the rights of children, we should go back to the old practice of “my child is your child, and your child is my child” and he/she belongs to the community not one household.
My appreciation goes to all those who contributed to the success of this campaign.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Social Development,North West Provincial Government
03 June 2005
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