SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES FAMILY-CENTRED POLICIES ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa launched the Revised White Paper on Families and the enhanced Family’s Matter Programme to strengthen and support South African families.
• The United Nations has recognised South Africa as one of the few countries with a dedicated family policy and evidence-based programmes to support families.
• Government leaders urgent coordinated action for the implementation of family-oriented policies highlighting that highlighting strong families as key to solving social issues.

The Department of Social Development marked 15 May 2025 with a landmark celebration of the International Day of Families (IDF) at Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton, Cape Town. The day was headlined by the launch of 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.”
The Revised White Paper on Families, approved in 2023, is the government’s flagship policy aimed at strengthening families through coordinated, multi-sectoral service delivery. It seeks to empower families to become resilient, nurturing, and socially cohesive units by integrating family issues into broader national development plans. The Minister of Social Development, accompanied by the Deputy Minister, officially launched the policy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a keynote address, calling the family “the most basic and natural unit of society.”

The celebration also featured the launch of the revamped Family’s Matter Programme—one of eight Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) initiatives that tackle pressing issues such as HIV, gender-based violence, and substance abuse. These challenges are addressed through parenting support, youth engagement, and improved family communication. “We are not just launching programmes; we are committing to building stronger families who form the foundation of a sustainable nation,” said Ms Siza Magangoe, Deputy Director-General for Welfare Services.

Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Magangoe noted: “Young people still believe in marriage, and we are supporting them through premarital and marital support programmes being rolled out in all nine provinces.” Real-life testimonies from programme beneficiaries were shared during the session, showcasing the effectiveness of these interventions.

She further highlighted that South Africa’s approach to family policy has garnered international recognition. “We are one of the few countries with a dedicated White Paper on Families, and we are implementing impactful programmes. The United Nations has recognised us for this achievement,” she said.
Minister of Social Development, Ms. Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, urged attendees to move beyond ceremonial gestures. “This must not be just an event. We must walk hand in hand with our families because if we restore the family unit, we begin to resolve the many social ills affecting our communities,” she said. She stressed that problems like homelessness and gender-based violence often stem from broken family structures. “If the family is functional, much of this would not happen. That’s why we must build and strengthen families with everything we have.”
Tolashe concluded with a call for greater coordination and accountability: “We don’t need to duplicate efforts—we must enhance one another’s work. South Africa is recognised internationally for its progressive family policies. Let’s not abandon what we’ve built; let’s refine and implement it with care and urgency.”