Stepping up for Ndlambe’s kids

Section 28 of the Bill of Rights in our Constitution states that “every child has the right to basic nutrition, shelter, health care and social services, as well as the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation”.

National Child Protection Week (29 May to 5 June) is intended to raise awareness of those rights.

The annual campaign calls on all the country’s citizens to ensure that the most vulnerable people in society are safe. The campaign seeks to address neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children.

We would like to acknowledge the extraordinary individuals and organisations in Ndlambe who work to nurture the roots of children’s well-being.

They include parents, teachers, psychosocial health and other professionals and sport coaches who children the time and space to find their own strengths.

Through positively acknowledging their needs and interests, and giving them the tools to explore them, these social entrepreneurs and professionals help young people build resilience.

One such organisation is Nemato Change A Life, and it’s for this reason we feature their new projects manager, Odwa Ntamo, in this week’s Face 2 Face interview.

The Psychological Society of South Africa offers the following advice for making the lives of children safer:

Children need to know how to report abuse, how to stand up for and protect themselves, to refrain from bullying each other and engaging in illegal activities.

Families can be provided with parenting skills that prevent violence.

Religious and community leaders need to be positive role models and speak out against violence.

Health workers, social workers, teachers and other professionals need to be able to identify and refer children at risk to support services.

Police, social workers and the judiciary need to ensure that when children or families report violence, they get the help they need. Effective, timely action must then be taken to keep them safe, and services be made available to support their recovery.

You can get help at: Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555 and Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 / e-mail: info@childwelfaresa.org.za

This week we feature our first edition of Ndlambe Nostalgia and we invite you to share your own memories. Do you know someone in your neighbourhood with their own stories from Ndlambe’s past? Please email editorial@talkofthetown.co.za