TRADITIONAL LEADERS STEP UP IN THE FIGHT TO END CHILD ABUSE

By Cuma Pantshwa.

• Traditional Leaders Combat Child Abuse – The Modjadji Traditional Authority in Limpopo supports year-round child protection efforts, joining the government to fight abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
• DSD leaders emphasized that child protection should be a continuous effort involving daily commitment and shared responsibility from communities, families, and leaders.
• Frontline social workers from Greater Letaba have emphasized the detrimental impact of silence in cases of abuse, particularly when families shield perpetrators. Communities must exhibit courage and engage in open reporting to facilitate change.

On a sunny winter morning in the heart of Limpopo’s Mopani District, the Department of Social Development (DSD), along with its agencies — the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA) — paid a courtesy visit to the royal house of the Modjadji Traditional Authority. This visit, conducted in line with traditional protocol, reflected DSD’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with traditional leadership in the fight against child abuse.
Located on a mountain, the royal homestead provides expansive views of valleys and villages. It served as the venue for an important meeting focused on children’s welfare.
The visit marked the start of the closing activities for Child Protection Month. More than a formality, it became a meaningful and collaborative exchange between government and traditional leadership, reaffirming the urgent mission to protect children from violence, exploitation, and neglect.
The political briefing, led by Mr. Peter Netshipale, Director-General of Social Development, was resolute, transparent, and unified in purpose. Officials and traditional leaders spoke in one voice — committed to ending violence against children.
Ms. Siza Magangoe, Deputy Director-General for Welfare Services at DSD, reminded the delegation of the urgent need to protect children every single day of the year.
“We are elevating the issues of children. We are here to raise awareness — and to defend the rights of children. The increase in abuse and neglect tells us that we are a country in crisis. Child protection cannot be seasonal. It must be constant, deliberate, and daily.”
She emphasized that children’s issues can no longer be seen as the sole responsibility of social workers or government structures — they must become a communal concern, carried with shared accountability. Although Child Protection Month is observed in May, she noted that the closing ceremony does not mean the work stops:
“Services to children do not stop, nor does strengthening our protection of them,” she emphasized.
Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks delivered a heartfelt and unfiltered message to the Modjadji leadership:
“We want peace of mind that the children are safe here. We are committed to ending hunger and violence in our community. There should be zero hunger.”
Referencing the role of social grants in reducing child poverty and risk, he stated:
“That money is for food for the children. There should be no child going hungry in this village. We are also working on a major Basic Income Grant to alleviate poverty in our country.”
The Deputy Minister spoke candidly about a nearby incident:
“It saddens me that as we mark the closing of Child Protection Month, just half an hour from here, a one-year-old baby was raped. And children are falling pregnant.”
Despite this sobering reality, he struck an optimistic tone, commending the involvement of local youth:

“I’m thrilled to see young people in your kingdom raising their hands, saying: ‘We want to lead. We want to govern.’ We need more of that. We need young people to lead us.”

Breaking the Silence: The Reality in Greater Letaba

From the villages of Greater Letaba, social workers gave deeply personal testimonies from the frontlines. The most significant barrier to child protection, they said, was silence — particularly in cases of sexual abuse.
“We normally deal with all types of abuse, but sexual abuse is especially difficult to address,” said one frontline social worker.
“In many cases, community members choose not to report incidents because the perpetrator is a family member. Families try to deal with it privately, forgetting that the person truly hurting is the child — not them.”
Without support from family or the community, children are left to suffer alone. These cases often stall or fail, as loyalty to perpetrators outweighs compassion for victims. The testimonies underscored the need for early intervention, open reporting, and courageous leadership at every level.
As Child Protection Month comes to a close, the message from the Modjadji Royal Council is loud and clear: child protection cannot be a once-off campaign — it must be woven into the fabric of daily life.
As Child Protection Month concludes, the Modjadji Royal Council emphasizes that child protection should be a continual effort integrated into everyday activities.
The 365-Day Child Protection Programme of Action now has stronger allies — the traditional leaders of the Mopani District. With government, traditional authorities, and young people standing together, this visit marked not only the closing of Child Protection Month but the start of a deepened and rooted commitment to making every village, every home, a safe space for children.
As the royal spokesperson warmly noted in his welcome,
“DSD has come to the right place.”
This is a place of heritage and leadership, where deep roots foster lasting change.
This meaningful engagement at the Modjadji royal house set the tone for the day — ahead of the formal proceedings that would later unfold at the Mokwakwaila Community Stadium Hall, bringing together even more voices in the shared mission to protect South Africa’s children.