SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER URGES ALL HANDS ON DECK TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa’s children are under siege from high levels of violence, Minister Sisisi Tolashe told a packed gathering in Thaba Nchu, Free State, at the launch of Child Protection Month.
• ⁠More than 26 800 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported across the country in the 2024/25 financial year.
• However, working together, South Africans can create safe environments where children can thrive, Minister Tolashe noted.

South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, officially launched the 2025 Child Protection Month and 365 Days Child Protection Programme on Sunday, 11 May 2025, in Thaba Nchu, in the Mangaung District, calling for urgent action to stem the rising tide of violence against children.

Addressing a packed gathering that included traditional leaders, government officials, and international partners, Minister Tolashe painted a sobering picture of the challenges facing the nation’s children. “Our children are under siege, confronted with high levels of violence despite progressive laws in place to protect them,” the minister said.

The latest statistics are alarming: in the 2024/25 financial year alone, more than 26 800 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported across the country. The Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest numbers.

Sexual abuse cases dominated the reports, with nearly 10 000 cases, followed by deliberate neglect, physical abuse, and child abandonment.

“Children falling pregnant as young as 10-14 years old is a concern and shows the deep-rooted evil against children who are sexually abused and sexually exploited,” Minister Tolashe stressed.

The launch event, hosted by the Free State province, was attended by dignitaries including the Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae; the MEC for social development, Mathabo Leeto; the United Nations’ special representative on violence against children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid; and the UNICEF (United Nations’ Children’s Fund) representative in South Africa, Christine Muhigana.

Traditional leaders and civil society organisations like Childline South Africa, Save the Children, and the Teddy Bear Foundation also pledged their support.

Highlighting the government’s intensified commitment, Minister Tolashe reminded the nation that President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) the second pandemic after Covid-19.

In April, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster adopted a 90-day acceleration programme to fast-track responses to the crisis.

“Government alone cannot succeed in dealing with this monster,” the minister said. “We appeal to parents, community, religious, and traditional leaders to work closer in addressing social ills and changing harmful norms that perpetuate violence against children.”

She cited disturbing recent cases, including the alleged sale of six-year-old Joslin Smith and two-year-old Kutloano Shalaba by their mothers.

“We greatly welcome the guilty judgment in the Joslin Smith case. My plea is for those involved to tell the truth about the whereabouts of the child. The nation is praying that the child be brought back alive,” said the minister, praising the South African Police Service investigators and the judiciary for their handling of the case.

Minister Tolashe also pointed out South Africa’s leadership on the continent and globally.

In November last year, she presented South Africa’s pledge at the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, outlining seven breakthrough areas, including safe environments, parenting support, child participation, psycho-social care, and economic strengthening through access to social grants.

“Implementing these areas will ensure that we prevent violence while also responding to victims,” she said.

South Africa’s emphasis on child participation has also gained momentum.

In April 2025, children themselves helped shape national strategies and articulated their demands at the African Children’s Summit in Johannesburg.

Their outcome statement has been tabled before the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which has now urged member states to institutionalise child participation programmes.

“Child participation is a fundamental right, but it goes hand in hand with responsibilities,” Minister Tolashe noted. “We are intensifying advocacy roadshows to amplify children’s voices across the country.”

As the Child Protection Month campaign rolls out across provinces, build-up activities in Thaba Nchu have already focused on raising awareness about child sexual abuse and empowering communities with prevention tools.

“I urge that we continue to scale up interventions at the local ward level, with all hands on deck, to end violence against children,” the minister said. “Together we can create safe environments at schools, homes, digital platforms, and communities where our children can thrive.”