Staff Reporter.
The Department of Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu has launched the annual Child Protection Week campaign saying that while has much has been achieved in protecting the rights of children, challenges remain.
“We have come a long way and achieved much as a nation in protecting and promoting the rights of our children, although we still have a number of serious challenges that confront us,” said Zulu.
Crime statistics in SA reveal that more than 280 children were murdered between October and December 2023.
Zulu launched the campaign in Kimberley in the Northern Cape on Sunday.
This year’s Child Protection Week is being observed under the theme: “Protecting South African Children, 30 years on.”
“South Africa had to go through deliberate transformation and one of the key priorities for government was to ensure the protection and upholding of human rights including the rights of children,” She said.
Government has invested in children through various services like education, health, access to clean water, health, and electricity as well as the biggest social assistance programme aimed at protecting children.
“As Government, our vision is to make South Africa a place where all children and young people are loved, confident, happy and healthy, and are empowered to reach their full potential,” added Zulu.
Zulu said that the “one thing parents said they really want is for their children to take education seriously and that their children remain in school to improve their chance to build a brighter future for themselves and their country.”
The Minister bemoaned the high levels of violence against children.
“One of the major concerns for me is the unacceptably high levels of violence against children in our country. We have all heard of the tragic story of the 6-year-old Joslin Smith who went missing from Saldanha Bay on 19 February and to this day has not been found. Hers is a sad story of many children in our country whose rights are violated and robbed of their childhood,”said the Minister.
Joshlin’s mother, Racquel Smith, Jacquen Appolis, Stevano van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to Joshlin’s disappearance.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile recently confirmed a shipping vessel in Wales was searched in the hope of finding Joshlin.
According to the State, Lombaard, who was the last to be arrested for Joshlin’s disappearance, made a confession about what happened to Joshlin.
However, three months after the little girl went missing, she has still not been found.
Saldanha Bay community leader, Vernon Vraagom, said residents believe that Joshlin was still in the town.
“The community still feels that Joshlin is alive, she’s not dead and the community still feels that, somehow, Joshlin is still in Middelpos.”
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.