SOUTH AFRICA STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST CHILD ABUSE WITH GROUND-LEVEL CAMPAIGN IN LIMPOPO

By Precious Mupenzi

• Limpopo’s Mopani and Vhembe districts face high rates of child sexual abuse, prompting urgent intervention.
• Awareness activities from 3–7 June and a main event on 8 June aim to educate and mobilise children, parents, and local leaders.
• ⁠The campaign is part of South Africa’s year-round 365 Days Programme and global pledge to end violence against children

As South Africa observes Child Protection Month under the theme “Working Together to End Violence Against Children,” the country reaffirms its national and international commitment to safeguard the rights and well-being of its children—not just in May but every day of the year.
This year’s campaign takes on renewed urgency as the Department of Social Development (DSD) intensifies its 365 Days Programme of Action, with a flagship activation planned in Mopani District, Limpopo, on 8 June 2025. Under the sub-theme “Let us build a better future for our children by creating a safe environment,” the programme tackles the scourge of child sexual abuse through education, awareness, and direct community intervention.
According to consolidated annual statistics reported by child protection organisations to the DSD, Vhembe and Mopani districts in Limpopo continue to experience a disturbingly high number of child abuse cases, with sexual abuse featuring prominently among reported incidents.
The data, drawn from the 2024/2025 financial year, includes quarterly reported cases of various forms of child abuse, including sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and physical assault.
“These statistics are not just numbers—they represent the traumatic experiences endured by children in our communities,” said Ms Konanani Zondo, Social Work Manager under the Children Directorate at DSD. “Vhembe and Mopani districts have shown consistently high reports of abuse, especially sexual abuse, which underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions like the Educational and Awareness in Child Sexual Abuse sessions.”

The educational sessions, held as build-up activities from 3 to 7 June 2025, aim to directly educate children, parents, and communities about safety measures, reporting channels, and prevention tools. These sessions lead up to the main Child Protection Month engagement, scheduled for Sunday, 8 June 2025, in Mopani.
Zondo added: “The statistics validate our approach—communities must be informed, empowered, and mobilised to protect children. Our interventions must reach both the hearts and the homes of our people.”
Building Awareness Across Communities
To address these challenges, the DSD has lined up a week of community-focused activities from 3–7 June, leading up to the main programme. These include school-based education sessions, parental and community workshops, and awareness dialogues. The build-up activities will empower children aged 10–18 from four schools, alongside parents, caregivers, and community members, with knowledge of child safety, abuse prevention, and social behaviour change.
Facilitated by social workers from the national and provincial offices, the activities also aim to increase awareness of children’s rights and the importance of safe environments. Sessions such as school visits, audits of child protection files, and online stakeholder sessions will help build momentum for the main engagement on 8 June at Mokwakwaila Community Hall. The activation will bring together 500 participants, including 200 children, 100 parents, 100 community members, and 100 stakeholders, united in their mission to end violence against children.
“We recognise that effective child protection begins at the community level,” said Zondo. “That’s why this year we are focusing on interventions that include children, parents, caregivers, and local leaders. We aim to build local resilience and equip families with the tools to protect their children.”
Sustained Effort Beyond June
Importantly, these efforts do not end with Child Protection Month. The Limpopo initiative is part of the broader Child Protection 365 Days Programme of Action to End Violence Against Children, which aims to mainstream child protection into everyday community life.

The campaign is not only national in scope but also reflects South Africa’s global commitment to the cause. At the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024, South Africa, led by Minister of Social Development Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, presented a bold pledge to scale up national efforts to protect children.

At the Bogotá conference, South Africa pledged to intensify efforts in seven key areas:
•⁠ ⁠Supporting parents and caregivers
•⁠ ⁠Creating safe environments
•⁠ ⁠Strengthening care and healing services
•⁠ ⁠Promoting positive social norms and values
•⁠ ⁠Enhancing regional collaboration within SADC
•⁠ ⁠Improving child participation
Strengthening economic support to families
These focus areas now form the pillars of the nation’s child protection agenda, concretely anchored in the 365 Days Programme.
“These programmes are part of a concrete plan to translate that global pledge into action on the ground,” added Zondo. “We are not only commemorating Child Protection Month but launching a long-term response to end the scourge of violence against children. Our children deserve to be safe in every space—at home, at school, and in their communities.”
As the campaign unfolds, the Department of Social Development calls on every South African to play an active role in this initiative. “Whether by reporting abuse, participating in community dialogues, or simply creating safe spaces—protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s act now,” Zondo concluded.