GOVERNMENT SCALES UP CHILD PROTECTION EFFORTS

By DSD News

• As Child Protection Month gets underway through May, South Africa is intensifying its efforts to protect its children.
• Launching Child Protection Month in eDumbe, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 3 May 2026, Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe reminded those attending that child abuse, exploitation, and statutory rape remain critical challenges
• The theme for the campaign – “Working together in ending violence against children” – emphasises that all of society needs to work together to make sure children always feel and are safe.

The South African government has intensified its efforts to protect its children, marking the start of Child Protection Month with a national launch in KwaZulu-Natal.

The event, held on Sunday, 3 May 2026 at Prince Mangosuthu Sports Field in eDumbe under the Zululand District, was led by Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe under the theme: “Working together in ending violence against children.”

The campaign aims to promote children’s rights, safety, and well-being, while reinforcing the message that protecting children requires collective action across society.

Among those in attendance were KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga, the Department of Social Development’s Acting Director-General Advocate Gugulethu Thimane, eDumbe Mayor Sibusiso Mkhabela, and Zululand District Speaker Daphne Memela, alongside children from the district, civil society groups, non-governmental organisations, and representatives of UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund).

UNICEF representatives stressed that the government cannot tackle child abuse alone, highlighting the role of families, schools, and communities in preventing violence against children.

MEC Shinga called on South Africans to work with law enforcement to create safer environments. “Child protection is a call to action that reminds all of us to create a safe environment for children,” she said. “In KwaZulu-Natal, we are working every day to protect children, together with all stakeholders. I call on all South Africans to work together with law enforcement to create a safer environment for children.”

In her keynote address, Minister Tolashe emphasised the importance of society to work together in making sure children always feel, and are, safe in South Africa.

She warned that child abuse, exploitation, and statutory rape remain critical challenges. “We are here to battle for the most vulnerable in our society – our children,” she said.

She urged parents not to shield perpetrators in exchange for compensation, condemning practices where families accept money or livestock as settlement. “Those who exploit vulnerable children must be reported, prosecuted, and face the full might of the law,” Tolashe said.

Child Protection Month should not be treated as a once-off campaign, but as a sustained, daily commitment involving communities, traditional and religious leaders, caregivers, and institutions.

The campaign is characterised by various engagements on different levels, engagement with children, traditional leaders, religious leaders, parents/caregivers, and all other stakeholders, all with the common goal of ensuring the lives of children are protected.

As activities continue nationwide, the central message from eDumbe was clear: protecting children starts at home, is reinforced in communities, and depends on collective responsibility.