MINISTER TOLASHE CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION TO REBUILD SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILIES

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By Precious Mupenzi

  • ⁠Government reaffirms its focus on strengthening families to tackle social issues like child abuse and teenage pregnancy.
  • The Revised White Paper and updated Family’s Matter Programme respond to changing family dynamics and rising youth challenges.
  • ⁠Minister Tolashe urges sectors and communities to collaborate and turn policies into real action.

Commemorated during Child Protection Month, the International Day of Families (IDF) event held in Cape Town today served as a vital platform for the Department of Social Development to call for the protection, support, and rebuilding of South Africa’s families. Amid rising cases of child abuse, neglect, teenage pregnancy, and family breakdowns making national headlines, the commemoration underscored the critical role families play in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The Department used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to placing families at the centre of social development, recognising that strong, resilient family units are essential for a safer, more equitable, and sustainable society.

Addressing a full house of sector leaders, academics, faith-based organisations, non-profits, and invited families at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe officially launched the Revised White Paper on Families (WPF) and the enhanced Family’s Matter Programme (FMP) under the theme “Family-oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025.”
Tolashe emphasised that families remain the first line of defence in preventing violence, neglect, and abuse—especially against children. She noted that the launch’s timing aligns with Child Protection Month, reinforcing the message that children’s well-being is intrinsically tied to the health of the family unit.
“I launched Child Protection Month in Thaba Nchu just this past Sunday,” she recalled. “And I made it clear—families and communities must rise up and stand with government to fight violence against children. It cannot be right that a mother agrees to sell her child, as we saw in the tragic case of Joslin Smith. That’s not who we are.”
Referring to the latest Stats SA General Household Survey, the Minister pointed to the evolving structure of families in South Africa. Only 31.5% of children live with both parents and nearly one in five lives with neither biological parent. Skip-generation households—where grandparents raise grandchildren—comprise over 4% of households. “The family as we knew it 20 years ago has changed drastically,” she said. “In strengthening our policies, we must engage with this reality.”
She explained that the Revised White Paper on Families responds to these societal shifts and reaffirms government’s commitment to integrating family-centred approaches into national development. “Family is the primary institution of care, protection, identity, and well-being. But it is under serious attack—from gender-based violence to substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.”
Tolashe raised the alarm over the increasing number of girls aged 10 to 19 seeking pregnancy terminations, warning that this reflects a deeper family crisis. “These aren’t just statistics—they are urgent calls for change. We must rethink how we support families, starting with honest reflection: what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to improve?”
The Family’s Matter Programme (FMP)—relaunched during the event—is one of eight Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions developed to address the root causes of household social ills. “Each household faces different challenges—whether it’s HIV, violence, addiction, or poverty—and the FMP is designed to meet families where they are,” Tolashe explained. “We’re not starting from scratch. We’re building on what works.”
She also issued a strong call for cross-sector collaboration. “We need to coordinate, collaborate, and accelerate. Working in silos won’t help us win. Today’s economic climate demands that we do more with less—together.”
Tolashe thanked all stakeholders involved in revising the White Paper and the FMP and encouraged them to remain steadfast through the implementation phase. “Our people are impatient. They want results. It’s time to turn policy into real, tangible action.”
Concluding her address, the Minister spoke directly to the families present—whom she called the “VIPs” of the day. “You are vital in confronting the social ills we face. We want to partner with you to restore the dignity and integrity of the family. We can do it. We will do it. We must do it.”

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