UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN CONCLUDES OFFICIAL VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA

• Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the United Nations Special Representative on Violence Against Children, visited South Africa to assess the country’s efforts to end violence against children, engaging with government, civil society, and communities.
• She is scheduled to visit Bophelong Empilweni Community Centre in Tembisa on 16 May to observe community-based youth and child support programmes.
• The Department of Social Development, in partnership with UNICEF, recently upgraded the Tembisa centre’s infrastructure, reflecting a commitment to improving community-based child protection services.

As her official visit to South Africa draws to a close, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, will spend her final day on Friday, 16 May 2025, at the Bophelong Empilweni Community Centre in Tembisa, Gauteng Province.

Her week-long visit, which began on Sunday, 11 May in the Free State Province, coincided with the launch of Child Protection Month. Over the past week, Dr. M’jid has engaged with children, government officials, civil society, and grassroots organisations to assess national efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children.

Bophelong Empilweni Community Centre, which she is scheduled to visit, is a well-established hub for child protection and youth development. Operating under the RISIHA (Xitsonga word meaning “resilience”), a flagship programme, that supports vulnerable children and youth through services such as health and nutrition assistance, after-school care, and youth-focused initiatives.

One such initiative is the Youth Accelerator Programme, which provides young people aged 18 to 21 with computer literacy training, personal development support, and career guidance. The centre recently received computer donations to strengthen this programme.

Through a partnership with the Department of Social Development and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the centre also underwent recent infrastructure improvements, including kitchen renovations, a new multi-purpose wall, upgraded water storage, and modernised ablution and electrical facilities.

As part of her visit, Dr. M’jid held consultations with government departments, members of parliament, and community organisations. These engagements aimed to take stock of South Africa’s progress as a member of the Pathfinding Global Alliance—an international platform committed to ending violence against children by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Her final day will conclude with a debriefing session with the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe. During this session, Dr M’jid is expected to provide a preliminary assessment of her visit, noting successes and areas requiring further attention. The Department of Social Development remains optimistic that the recommendations shared will help bolster the country’s child protection systems.

As the world continues to work toward a future where every child grows up safe, nurtured, and free from violence, Dr M’jid’s visit serves as both a mirror and a magnifying glass—reflecting what South Africa has achieved and what more can be done.