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The Select Committee on Social Services welcomes the announcement made by President Jacob Zuma that the Department of Social Development is in the process of compiling a Child- and Youth-Headed Household Register to assist with the formalisation of assistance to those children.

This represents a move in the right direction in the attainment of a society that promotes the protection for orphans and vulnerable children. Each effort aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable children is worthwhile and will receive the backing of the Committee. The Committee calls for the urgent roll-out of this process to ensure that all child-headed households are registered and the necessary support given to them.

A country that cares about its children ensures its sustainability in the future. To this end, the Committee welcomes many initiatives that are aimed at promoting and protecting children’s rights. Such initiatives such as the child-support grant, no-fee schools and provision of meals at school are significant pillars in ensuring a better future for South African children. The Committee strongly condemns any acts of corruption or misuse of these initiatives, as they rob children of their constitutional rights and undermine their future. The Committee further advises parents to use the child grant for the upkeep of children and nothing else.  

The Committee further calls for the strengthening of the National Child Protection Register as well as the National Register for Sex Offenders to strengthen protection of children against child abusers. These registers remain the most potent instruments in the fight against child abuse. It remains a societal responsibility to engage in collaborative work with the South African Police Services, Department of Social Development and all civic organisations to fight the scourge of child abuse. The Committee calls on the community at large to approach the DSD to ensure registration of child-headed households.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services