Issued by The Presidency
28 October 2001
The Office on the Rights of the child, which is driving the National Programme of Action (NPA) on Children's Rights in the Presidency, will be celebrating National Children's Day on November 3, 2001 in the Northern Province. This annual event celebrated every first Saturday of November is coordinated in conjunction with several government departments and the Northern Province Programme of Action.
The NPA is a programme, which seeks to create and build an environment where children are nurtured and can grow up to be the best they can be. It also seeks to develop a new culture within South Africa where children can be given the priority they deserve in all walks of life. Its vision is based on the theme "Put Children First". Provincial Programmes of Action across the country will hold their provincial celebrations.
Children's day brings government closer to the people thereby creating an opportunity for communities particularly parents and children to access government services to children. Government departments showcase and also provide assistance and advise to parents and children on the day.
Government will also give progress made with regard to children's rights.
The day provides an opportunity to schools and children's homes to acquire more knowledge about services and children's rights for educational purposes. It will also highlight a variety of children's issues - from education to health care, from child abuse to promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.
This year's theme is "Every Child is My Child".
The celebrations, which started in 1999, were celebrated successfully in Gauteng for the past two years. The rotation of the event starts in the Northern Province and will move from one province to another.
This year's celebrations will also see the launch of the results of the South African version of the "Yes Campaign" called the "Hear Our Voices Campaign" which is a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) initiative which aims at asking children what they think are the most important issues that government should be concentrating on to protect their rights. Almost two million children across the country were polled through schools, Residential Care Facilities including schools for children with disabilities.
The following government departments will have stalls where they will be exhibiting services made available by government in creating a conducive environment for children to grow in:
The details of the venue are as follows:
VENUE: Pietersburg Cricket Grounds, Pietersburg
DATE: Saturday, 3 November, 2001
TIME: 9:00
Appearing for the children are some of the country's young musicians Mzambiya, Msawawa, Mshoza and Purity and stars Ringo Madlingozi, Mdu, Jabu Hlongwane, Mthunzi Namba and Four Man Act, Amon Mvula and Mafikizolo. Also on stage will be celebrities from some of the country's top TV shows - Generations, YO TV, Starsearch, Soul Buddyz and Isidingo -radio personalities and sports stars from both Kaizer Chiefs and Ria Stars as well as cultural performances.
Enquiries: Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva
Office on the status of the Child in The Presidency
082 772 6399 or (012) 337 5216
OR
Harold Maloka
Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
082 450 7304 or (012) 314 2148