Issued by: SA Communication Service
Next week President Nelson Mandela will launch a comprehensive study of the situation of children in South Africa today, and an- nounce details of government's new policy framework on how govern- ment plans to address the most critical issues facing children.
The national launch will be supported by launches in most provinces and the announcement by provinces of details of how they intend to implement the policy framework (called the National Programmes of Action for Children).
President Mandela committed South Africa to improving the circumstances of children in South Africa when, on Youth Day last year, he ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The follow up comes a day before the International Day of the Child which will be celebrated throughout the world on June 1.
The 200-page situation analysis report, Children, Poverty and Disparity Reduction gives a comprehensive review of data and statistics which confirms the broad thrust of the RDP in terms of meeting basic needs, and in fact, heightens the need for urgency in addressing key issues.
The National Programmes of Action for Children is a long-term process for implementing actions for the survival, protection and the development of children in South Africa.
Children need to be viewed not only as recipients of welfare and care, but also as a major repository of South Africa's human capital potential for the future. The fact that the children of today are the workers, parents, leaders and civil society participants of tomorrow means that their survival, health, nutritional growth and education progress are key issues for reconstruction and development.
Meeting the needs of children is the moral obligation of societies to their children and at this time, South Africa is in breach of a number of articles of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. Full compliance could take years but the NPA is the kickstarting of the process and provides a set of targets which are realistic for South African circumstances and which address the most serious shortcomings.
The national launch will take place on Friday, May 31 in Pretoria. Attendance is by invitation only.
For information about launch activities planned in each province, please contact the relevant provincial NPA Co-Ordinator as listed below.
ISSUED BY: NPA Steering Committee - Publicity sub-committee
Mandy Jean Woods Phone: (012) 341-5569 Fax: (012) 341-9612 Pager: (011) 804-2777 code 71799
Herman Nolan Phone: (012) 312-0186 Fax: (012) 21-7960
Rose September Phone: (021) 959-2605 Fax: (021) 959-2606
ADDENDUM: LIST OF PROVINCIAL NPA CO-ORDINATORS
EASTERN CAPE - Ms N Khumalo, Dept Social Services Phone (0433) 33632 Fax: (0433) 21904
WESTERN CAPE - Ms M Heyns, Dept Social Services Phone (021) 410-3477 Fax: (021) 461-0114
NORTHERN CAPE - Mr D van Heerden, Dept Health & Welfare Phone (0531) 814999 fax: (0531) 814917
GAUTENG - Ms M Davids, Dept Welfare & Population Development Phone (011) 240-1598
NORTHERN PROVINCE - Ms F Venter, Dept Health Phone: (0152) 291-2010 Fax: (0152) 291-3314
KWAZULU NATAL - Dr P Maharaj, Dept Health Phone: (031) 305-6071 Fax: (031) 305-7871
MPUMALANGA - Ms E Ngwenya, Dept Health & Welfare Phone: (01781) 2108 Fax: (01781) 6293
NORTH WEST PROVINCE - Mr A Theron, Dept Health Phone: (0140) 889282 Fax: (0140) 842727
FREE STATE - Mr A Vivier, Dept Health & Welfare Phone (051) 430-3511 Fax: (051) 448-3811