Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
15 October 2001
Chairperson,
Child welfare professionals,
Community volunteers,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Everyday of our lives in all parts of the country, there are thousands of social welfare professionals and community volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the living conditions and survival chances of vulnerable and orphaned children.
Our people and the government acknowledge you, the work that you do, your sacrifices, and your love and care for children.
As a fellow human being who has a deep love for children, allow me to also express my personal gratitude for your individual and collective commitment and actions.
You are at the forefront of building the caring society to which President Mbeki has committed this government.
The Ministry of Social Development is committed to creating the conditions that will enable you to continue your work and extended the vital services that you provide to poor communities living in both peri-urban and rural areas.
For this reason, I appreciate the opportunity to address this national general assembly as you review and determine the priority focus areas of your work.
As I outlined in a press briefing on 18th September, during this year the Ministry and Department are systematically addressing issues affecting children within the context of the national government's priorities. Of special concern is the situation and special needs of children in child-headed households.
The promotion and protection of the rights of children requires that we implement integrated and broad-based strategies within the context of the Ten-point Plan. The changes we have effected in the Department of Social Development's Poverty Relief Programme illustrate such an approach.
Starting in the current financial year projects are being selected according to the following seven criteria:
1. The development of household food security through the establishment of food production clusters in communities, with a particular focus on households affected by HIV/AIDS.
2. The provision and maintenance of social support structures in communities where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and poverty are high.
3. The broadening of the skills base and the promotion of work opportunities for young people.
4. Support for the income generation activities of rural women.
5. Support to community-based childcare initiatives that use and support the creative resources of older people.
6. Support to initiatives that help to mainstream children and people with disabilities. And,
7. The development of locally based options for social financing to assist poor households with capacity.
The implementation of this strategic re-orientation is being accompanied by a dramatic increase in the number of caregivers who receive child support grants. As of May 2001 more than 1.2 million caregivers in poor families received child support grants. The Department of Social Development is committed to the goal of providing child support grants to over 3 million children by the year 2003.
Because of Aids and other re-emerging diseases, an increase in the numbers of people applying for foster care grants is being factored into our projections in the medium term expenditure framework. The issue of foster care is being addressed in the comprehensive child care legislation that is being prepared by the Law Commission. We also have to contend with the reality that although it is preferable to care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in a family or community setting, increasing numbers of children will need to be cared for in institutions.
The challenges we face require that we continually review the adequacies of our policies and accelerate transformation. The National Council's programme to transform the institutions and delivery of services in the child welfare sector is laudable. It has to be said that despite financial constraints, some progress has been made. The challenging reality in our country, however, requires that we work together to accelerate transformation.
In the area of social welfare services, it had been envisaged that the Financing Policy would be the vehicle for ensuring this transformation. This has not proven to be the case. A National Task Team on the Financing Policy, consisting of four social development MEC's, has concluded that the "Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services" must be reviewed as there are indications that it will not fundamentally change the pre-1994 status quo.
Based upon a rapid appraisal, the MEC's have concluded that while the Financing Policy provides principles to guide resource allocations in a development direction, it does not provide mechanisms that can translate these principles into action.
I have therefore appointed the Director-General of the national Department to head a project team that will conduct a comprehensive review of the transformation of the provision of welfare services. The terms of reference of the project team are broad. They include an audit of social welfare infrastructure, the setting of norms and standards, and the costing of a programme of transformation.
As an interim measure it was decided to continue subsidies to national councils but enforce accountability requirements. Funds would be released upon the provision of annual reports and audited financial statements. The implementation of this decision was unfortunately hampered by bureaucratic delays and unacceptable suffering and disruptions in services resulted. This situation was rectified and will not occur again.
A key component of the transformation agenda is a more comprehensive approach to child protection. The long drawn out investigation and drafting of comprehensive childcare legislation by the South African Law Commission is being accelerated. It is expected that a draft Bill will be presented to parliament during the first session of parliament next year. When the new legislation becomes operational it will ensure that children's rights and development are brought into line with the Constitution.
The government is taking additional action to create an enabling environment for the promotion and protection of the rights of children. Some of these actions include the development of a National Strategy on Child Abuse and Neglect, and an Action Plan for Combating the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Measures to address the vulnerability of the girl child to gender-based violence and rape, and the introduction of laws against child labour are part of these efforts.
In order to be successful, these programmes of transformation and legislative reform require the support of all sectors of society. Over the years the business sector has provided invaluable support to the child welfare movement in its fund raising efforts. I join the Council in appealing for continuation and increase in this support.
There is no sector, community or family in South Africa that is not in some way having to grapple with the reality of the impact of HIV/Aids. Our people are stretching their meagre resources to provide care for people infected and affected - especially children. It is this compassion and spirit of volunteerism that is required to make sure that hope takes the place of despair.
In this year which the United Nations has declared the as the International Year of Volunteers, I would like to close by once again acknowledging all the volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the living conditions and survival chances of vulnerable and orphaned children.
I urge all of you to join us in our campaign called "Nakekel' izingane. Yakh'isizwe" (Care for Children. Build the Nation) which is aimed at mobilising care and support for children.
I thank you.