HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAMS | DSD Inspires Young Minds on Take a Child to Work Day

By Cuma Pantshwa

• DSD’s Take a Child to Work Day empowers youth by exposing them to real career paths, professional mentorship, and life-changing guidance on resilience, education, and self-worth.
• Heartfelt reflections from learners highlighted the day’s impact, as many left with renewed dreams and a deeper understanding of their potential and responsibilities.
• ⁠Mr Chabalala reported that 2024/25 Department of Health data recorded over 96,000 teenage pregnancies nationwide, including 1,966 among girls aged 10–14.

In a spirited celebration of youth empowerment and child protection, the Department of Social Development (DSD) hosted an inspiring Take a Child to Work Day session at its national offices in Pretoria. The activity, aligned with Child Protection Month, was more than just a talk or office tour—it was a transformative learning experience for young participants.
The Office of the Rights of the Children warmly welcomed learners from nine schools in and around Pretoria on the Rights of the Child. The initiative offered these young people a unique glimpse into the world of work, particularly the critical role of the DSD in shaping South Africa’s social fabric.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Opening the session, Mr. David Chabalala provided background on the Take a Child to Work Day concept, initially introduced by Cell C in 2003 as Take a Girl Child to Work Day. Over time, the initiative expanded to include all children, recognizing that excluding boys created a gap in opportunities.
The Office on the Rights of the Child selected learners from nine disadvantaged schools—including children with disabilities—to expose them to real-world careers and encourage them to imagine a future beyond their current circumstances.

Learning from the Best

The programme featured presentations from various DSD units, including Human Resources, IT, Communications, the Office of the Minister, Finance, Victim Empowerment (VEP), and Monitoring and Evaluation. But this was more than a showcase of professional roles—it was a meaningful engagement filled with motivation, life lessons, and heartfelt messages.
One of the keynote speakers, Ms. Puseletso Moseneke, Social Work Manager, delivered a powerful message on self-worth, resilience, and the importance of holding on to one’s dreams. She educated learners on child rights, the role of social workers, and available support resources. Her message was simple yet profound:
“Stay away from drugs. Focus on your dreams. Choose what is best.”
She challenged learners to reflect deeply on what it truly means to “choose what is best.”

Children’s Voices | Choose What Is Best

Learners responded with enthusiasm, shouting messages of hope and personal responsibility:
•⁠ ⁠“Stay in school.”
•⁠ ⁠“Say no to peer pressure.”
•⁠ ⁠“Choose your friends wisely.”
•⁠ ⁠“Respect yourself. Believe in God’s timing.”
•⁠ ⁠“Avoid anything that will destroy your future.”
Harsh Realities and Hard Truths
Mr. Chabalala also presented sobering statistics on teenage pregnancy in South Africa. According to 2024/25 data from the Department of Health, there were:
•⁠ ⁠1,966 pregnancies among girls aged 10–14
•⁠ ⁠94,896 pregnancies among girls aged 15–19
•⁠ ⁠KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number, with 24,388 cases
“These numbers are not just statistics,” he said. “They represent lost opportunities, shattered dreams, and often the beginning of a cycle of poverty and dependency.”
Community Support: Rata Social Services
Another key highlight of the day was a presentation by Rata Social Services, a dedicated child protection organisation. Ms Charity Ngubani outlined their work in:
•⁠ ⁠Safeguarding children from abuse and neglect
•⁠ ⁠Strengthening families through intervention
•⁠ ⁠Alleviating poverty via skills and literacy programmes
•⁠ ⁠Facilitating new beginnings through adoption and foster care

A Glimpse into the Future

For learners, the initiative offered more than just career exposure. It instilled a sense of motivation, academic commitment, and personal growth. The message was clear: Education is the key to a successful future.
For the country, the initiative builds a pipeline of informed, hopeful young people who can grow into responsible, productive adults—supporting the government’s broader goals of equality and sustainable development.
Final Word: Dreams Are Valid
The DSD’s message to learners was clear: Hold on to your dreams. Whether it’s overcoming adversity, steering clear of drugs, avoiding toxic peer influences, or daring to dream beyond your circumstances, the department planted seeds of purpose and possibility in each young participant.

Children Reflect on the Day

•⁠ ⁠Moccana Mogola (13) was drawn to the Communications team due to her love for the arts, especially music and dance. “I hope one day I will be a South African pop star,” she said excitedly.
•⁠ ⁠Thapelo Mokgoatjana, passionate about numbers, found inspiration in the Finance Unit.“I realised I want to be the CEO of my own company one day,” he said proudly.
•⁠ ⁠Having overcome personal challenges with substance use, Thapelo gave heartfelt advice: “Drugs ruin futures. Love yourself. Love your body. I learnt about budgeting today! My key takeaway: I will never spend money on drugs. One last thing—let’s support our families.”
These reflections captured the essence of the day: children empowered, inspired, and ready to dream big.