MEC MBALI SHINGA HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGES FACING BLENDED FAMILIES DURING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES COMMEMORATION

By DSD News

• KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, used the International Day of Families commemoration in Pongola to promote family preservation, inclusion, and child wellbeing across diverse family structures.
• The MEC raised awareness about the legal and social vulnerabilities often faced by blended families following the death of a parent.
• ⁠The Department of Social Development reaffirmed its commitment to supporting families through counselling, family preservation services, and legal guidance.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, led the provincial commemoration of the International Day of Families at the Godlwayo Multipurpose Hall under the uPhongolo Local Municipality on Monday.

The programme, held under the theme “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” provided a platform for reflection on the evolving nature of families in South Africa while emphasizing the need to protect children and strengthen family support systems.

The commemoration also focused on the realities facing many modern families, including blended families, child-headed households, grandparent-led families, foster families, and same-sex families.

As part of the programme, MEC Shinga visited two families in Pongola to engage directly with communities and better understand the experiences of different family structures.

One visit was to the Dlamini family, an LGBTQI-headed household. Sharon (41) and Dumi Dlamini (37), married seven years, are raising five children. The visit highlighted government commitment to equality, dignity, and inclusion for all families.

The MEC also met the Thikazi family, a blended household of nine children. Phumzile Thikazi and Zeblon Lukhele each have three children from previous relationships; together, they have three more.

In her keynote address, MEC Shinga emphasised the importance of recognising and supporting all family structures, noting that families remain central to children’s wellbeing, protection, and development.

“Blended families are becoming increasingly common in our society. They require patience, love, and legal clarity to ensure every child feels a sense of belonging,” said Shinga.

The MEC used the occasion to raise concerns about legal and emotional challenges that often arise when a parent in a blended family passes away. She warned that without proper planning, surviving family members and children could face uncertainty, conflict, and insecurity.

“What happens when one parent in a blended family dies?” the MEC asked during her address, prompting reflection among community members attending the commemoration.

She encouraged parents in blended families to take proactive steps to protect children by drafting legally binding wills, considering formal adoption processes where necessary, and seeking counselling and family preservation support.

“The death of a parent should not mean the death of a child’s security. We are calling on all families to plan responsibly and avoid leaving children vulnerable to uncertainty or legal disputes. As the Department of Social Development, we are here to provide family preservation services and legal guidance,” she said.

The programme concluded with a renewed call to move beyond the stigma often associated with non-traditional family structures and instead focus on creating safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for all children.