FAMILIES AT THE HEART OF DEVELOPMENT: SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES NEW POLICY FRAMEWORK

By Precious Mupenzi

• The participation of MECs from Mpumalanga and North West at the launch of the WPF and FMP reflects strong intergovernmental cooperation to position families at the centre of South Africa’s development agenda.
• MEC Moeketsi calls for inclusive, family-centred policies to drive development.
• As the country observes Child Protection Month and prepares for the 2025 World Summit, the call to “renew our commitment to action” signals a need for tangible outcomes and cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen family resilience.

The MECs from Mpumalanga and North West provinces joined the Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, and various sector stakeholders in Cape Town to officially launch the White Paper on Families (WPF) and the Family Matters Programme (FMP). Their presence underscored a united front across all spheres of government to strengthen families as the cornerstone of society.

The launch coincided with Child Protection Month, a national campaign to raise awareness and promote action to safeguard children’s rights and well-being across South Africa. Provincial departments are actively engaging communities as part of these efforts.
Speaking at the event, which also marked the national commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Families, Mpumalanga MEC for Social Development, Brenda Khethiwe Moeketsi called for stronger, inclusive family policies to support long-term development and national stability. Held under the theme “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development,” the event highlighted the central role of families in social progress.
“We are celebrating our lives in our lives,” said MEC Moeketsi. “In the face of rapid social, economic, and environmental changes, we must strengthen our commitment to policies that place families at the heart of development.”

Her remarks come ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development, set for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar. The summit will reflect on global progress since the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and seek new strategies aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

MEC Moeketsi emphasised that meaningful development and social cohesion require tangible support for families, including access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. “Strong, inclusive, family-oriented policies are not just a social priority — they are also an economic and environmental imperative,” she said.
She pointed to progress in Mpumalanga in areas such as child welfare, substance abuse prevention, family preservation, and social assistance. However, she acknowledged that more work is needed.
“Sustainable development demands investment in family resilience, empowerment of women and children, promotion of gender equality, and protection of the elderly and persons with disabilities within the family unit,” she added.

In her closing remarks, MEC Moeketsi called for a collaborative national effort: “Let this day not only be celebrated but also renew our commitment to action. By strengthening families, we are building the foundation for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for all.”