MINISTER TOLASHE PUTS CHILDREN FIRST IN KHAYELITSHA VISIT

By Precious Mupenzi.

• Actions to end violence against children must be a daily effort by all South Africans.
• This was emphasised by a visit this week to one of Cape Town’s most vulnerable communities – Khayelitsha – by the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe.
• Her visit provided the opportunity to connect directly with children, caregivers, and frontline workers in what has been described as a gender-based violence and femicide hotspot.

As South Africa intensifies its efforts to protect children from violence and abuse, the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, visited Khayelitsha this week as part of the 365 Programme of Action in Ending Violence Against Children.

The visit forms part of the Department of Social Development’s ongoing commitment to raise awareness, empower communities, and strengthen child protection services.

The minister’s outreach comes just a day before she tables Budget Vote 19 in Parliament on 10 July 2025.

Her engagement offered an opportunity to connect directly with children, caregivers, and frontline workers in one of Cape Town’s most vulnerable communities.

Khayelitsha has been identified as a gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) hotspot, with a high number of child sexual abuse cases reported to the National Child Protection Register.

However, many more cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness.

Deputy director-general for Welfare Services, Siza Magangoe, highlighted the need to educate not only children but also their caregivers.

“We empower parents, caregivers, and children with information – how to recognise abuse, how to prevent it, and how to respond and report it when it occurs,” said Magangoe.

“Too often, the perpetrators are people known to the child, and we need to equip communities to protect the most vulnerable.”

A focus on children in alternative care

A visit to the Baphumelele Child and Youth Care Centre in Khayelitsha this week builds on work already done in May, when the department implemented an Integrated Child Protection Programme across four schools – three primary and one high school – reaching 136 learners and 90 caregivers.

The current focus is on children in alternative care, specifically those who have been placed at Baphumelele through court orders after being found in need of care and protection.

The centre, one of fewer than 400 registered child and youth care centres in the country, is operated by a non-governmental organisation and funded by the Department of Social Development.

Minister Tolashe’s visit included a lunch and interactive engagement with over 85 children between the ages of six and 21.

The visit also offered the government a valuable opportunity to observe firsthand the basket of services provided at Baphumelele, ranging from education and psychosocial support to life skills and transitional care for young people over the age of 18 who are still in school.

Local councillors, community members, and representatives from men’s and women’s organisations also joined the engagement to offer support.

Minister Tolashe’s visit marked a strong reaffirmation of the department’s child-centred approach and a reminder that ending violence against children requires consistent action, visibility, and compassion – 365 days of the year.