Issued by: Office of the Premier - Gauteng Provincial Government
28 May 2001
This week, the spotlight correctly focuses at the rights of children, in particular what the ANC led government has done or continues to do for our children.
The Gauteng Department of Social Services and Population Development under the leadership of MEC Angie Motshekga embraces this year's theme of "The Children are our Future! Child Protection is Everybody's Business"
It is within this context that today, the MEC will launch the first Children's Court within the Vaal Region. The MEC, joined by hundreds of children's rights activists will unveil the new children's court with an intention of unleashing a telling blow to all those who continue to disregard the rights of children.
Later this afternoon the MEC will be joined by the National Minister of Social Development, Dr. Zola Skweyiya as well as representatives of UNICEF when they visit the Child Protection Unit base in Braamfontein to inspect the capacity of the unit to deal with problems faced by our children.
On Wednesday, the entire Gauteng Cabinet under the leadership of Premier Mbhazima Shilowa will observe children's day by visiting the community of Brokhorspruit to canvass views of the surrounding communities.
On Friday, the MEC will be joined by the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Father Smangaliso Mkhatswa in Garankuwa when children of HL Setlalentwa School express their views with drum majorette, soccer matches, police display as well as a children's assembly. On Saturday we conclude our events with a Children's Conference in Jabulani Welfare Complex to be attended by the National Minister, Dr. Zola Skweyiya.
We are proud as government that since the inception of the first democratic government in 1994, we have brought changes that has indeed confirmed our desire to better the lives of our children.
Many of you are quite aware that the apartheid regime created an environment in which the lives of children were assaulted and devastated in countless ways. For me, it is one of the cruelest facets of South Africa's history that tens of thousands of young people who could otherwise have been developing their talents to the full and making a valuable contribution to society are living a life on the margins of society, mainly because of the legacy of apartheid. I always feel that one of the worst things that apartheid did was to prevent all the children of our country from simply being healthy and natural young people, and playing and working together.
Today's gathering tells us that our children are in the forefront of our country's return to normality. The children of South Africa deserve no less.
That is why, as government, we have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and further rolled out the National Program of Action For Children, so as to consolidate all government efforts towards children.
The democratic government, as led by the ANC, has made significant strides in ensuring that the rights of children are enshrined in the constitution.
Millions of children from the poorest families increasingly have access to free primary health care, water, food, shelter, education and many more. In less than a year the number of children who benefit from the Child Support Grant has increased from 60 000 to over one million. Furthermore, the government has made sure that all forms of legislation and regulations of discrimination against children are removed in schools, clinics, social amenities as well as other institutions of care. We are now currently revamping the Child Care legislation as well as laws and regulations within the social welfare sector.
To date great strides have been made even though many challenges still lie ahead. We should now all unleash our last energy to intensify our fight against HIV/Aids as it continues to have a devastating impact on millions of children, especially in poor areas.
It is estimated that over 250 000 children have been orphaned by Aids. In most cases these children live with elderly relatives who have to look after them with their meagre pensions. As the Gauteng Government we are about to finalise our home based care strategy for immediate implementation.
We come to you, confident that a new era has dawned for our children. We have the resources, if we use them wisely to change the situation in which our children live. Our children remain the rock in which our future will be built.
For more information Contact:
Panyaza Lesufi (Department of Social Services and Population Development)
082 469 0822