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South Africa to boost social support for children

1 June 2016

Young people over the age of 18 could expect assistance from the government in terms of changes announced at the start of Child Protection Week.

The Social Development Department was exploring changes to support programmes that would aid and support the progress of South African youth after the age of 18, Minister Bathabile Dlamini said at the launch of Child Protection Week at Braakspruit Farm in North West on 29 May.

Child support and social grant systems currently only cover children under 18. The changes, said the minister, "will create a vehicle that will be able to carry our kids from the age of 18. There must be a vehicle that will help them start a life like other children."

These changes are part of the Child Protection Week campaign, run from 28 May to 5 June. This period incorporates the beginning of national Youth Month, which runs throughout June. Part of the campaign will focus on problems such as child trafficking and child abuse.

Dlamini highlighted some of the successes made by the government in improving the lives of the country's children. "There are kids who are now working who (made use) of grants; there are those who are still in institutions of higher learning."

There were now plans to incorporate the national Childline telephone and walk- in support structure with more grassroots community initiatives to combat child abuse, social grant fraud and child labour on the ground.

"(These operations) will now (be able to operate) for 24 hours for children to be able to call us."

Another department initiative was to consolidate the national list of child- and youth-headed households, ensuring that no child or family was forgotten and left to their own devices. On this point, the minister appealed to parents of children with disabilities and children with albinism not to be afraid to contact the department for assistance.

She also spoke to the children in Braakspruit Farm about bullying and alcohol and drug abuse, saying that these in particular had become national problems. Her department was working closely with teachers and the children themselves to find effective solutions.

Kelebogile Letshelle, a 15-year-old at Letlhasedi Combined School, said all children had a right to be protected and not to be abused. "Children have a right to stay in safe places."

Child Protection Week, now in its 19th year, raises awareness about issues that affect young people. This year's theme is "Let us all protect children to move South Africa forward". Also highlighted at the launch was the 10th anniversary of the South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa), which administers social security services and grants that improve the lives of the elderly, the infirm and, in particular, children.

Source: South African Government News Agency