South African Social Security Agency CEO highlighted that all children’s deserves the protection.
South Africa is one of the most countries where the children’s are being abused by their next of kins.
Recently two Pastors are arrested related to the children abuse and few days ago two young boys were raped by their cousin.
Department of Social Development have highlighted that the CEO Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe joined the fight against children abuse.
Here is the statement released by Department:
Child Protection Month in eDumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, reminded the gathering that “it takes a village to raise a child” and that protecting children is everybody’s business.
The launch of Child Protection Month takes place against a troubling trend of rising reports of child abuse, sexual exploitation and teenage pregnancy.
The campaign aims to mobilise communities, strengthen family structures and reinforce accountability in protecting children’s rights.Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe on Sunday launched Child Protection Month at the historic site of the Battle of Isandlwana, describing the campaign as a new kind of battle – one to safeguard the rights and well-being of South Africa’s children.
Addressing the gathering in eDumbe on 3 May 2025, Minister Tolashe warned of troubling trends in child welfare, citing recent quarterly crime statistics and data from the National Child Protection Register that point to an increase in reported cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
In her speech, Minister Tolashe raised three key concerns: a rise in reported child abuse and sexual exploitation; persistently high rates of teenage pregnancy despite some declines; and the need for stronger collaboration between government, communities and traditional and faith-based leaders to protect vulnerable children.
Tolashe said “Recent data show a worrying upward trend, Even more concerning is the rise in child sexual exploitation, with over 3 000 cases of sexual abuse and nearly 200 cases of statutory rape reported.”
The minister also highlighted teenage pregnancy as a national concern, noting that more than 100 000 children and teenagers become pregnant each year.
In KwaZulu-Natal alone, 375 pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14 were recorded in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
Although a study published in the South African Medical Journal found adolescent birth rates declined by 16% across all provinces between April 2021 and March 2025, South Africa’s rate remains more than five times the global average.
Tolashe called for a coordinated response involving government, community leaders, faith-based organisations and traditional authorities.
Tolashe stated “We must work together to root out this national disgrace.”
Child Protection Month aims to mobilise society to address child vulnerability in all its forms, including poverty, substance abuse and harmful cultural or religious practices.
The minister also stressed that constitutional protections for religious freedom cannot be used to justify violations of children’s rights.
She said “We also seek to strengthen collaboration with all key sectors of our society to address social ills such as child abuse, neglect and exploitation as well as substance use and other circumstances, including harmful cultural and religious practices that perpetuate child vulnerability.”
She welcomed the recent removal of 19 children from the Ikhaya Labafundi Mission in KwaMaphumulo, which has been accused of isolating members and violating children’s rights.
She stated “While the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, this cannot come at the expense of children’s rights to education, healthcare, nutrition and protection from harm.
Tolashe revealed “We will act decisively, without fear or favour, where these rights are violated.”
The government, she added, continues to work closely with religious and traditional leaders, recognising their influence in strengthening child protection efforts at the community level.
She reminded the gathering of the African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and that protecting children is everybody’s business.
Tolashe said “This epitomises the importance of the role of the wider community in raising, caring and protecting from all forms of harm so that each child, including children of eDumbe, is given a fair chance to thrive and realise their full potential.”
Marking 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, Tolashe pointed to progress in expanding social grants, improving access to education and early childhood development, and implementing child-focused legislation such as the Children’s Act and Child Justice Act.
She said “We have progressively expanded social grants to the most vulnerable children and significantly reduced child poverty, improved access to basic education, reaching a universal enrolment rate and expanded access to early childhood development.
“Central to our response are measures aimed at strengthening families as the first line of defence in protecting children.”
Social grants remain a key tool in reducing child poverty, with millions of children receiving support through the Child Support Grant and Foster Care Grant.
Outreach programmes such as the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme aim to improve access, particularly in rural areas.
The minister said the government would continue expanding initiatives aimed at strengthening families as the first line of defence in protecting children.
These include RISIHA, the Sinovuyo Caring Families programme, and Mother and Daughter/Father and Son dialogues, which are designed to build stronger family bonds and create safe spaces for parents and their teenage children to engage in open and honest conversations.
However, Tolashe also emphasised that families and communities must take responsibility for reporting abuse and rejecting practices that shield perpetrators.
She warned against the acceptance of money or livestock as inhlawulo in cases of sexual abuse.
Tolashe said “No matter how poor your family is, stop protecting perpetrators, Those who exploit vulnerable children must be reported, prosecuted and face the full might of the law.”
Tolashe also linked child protection efforts to the broader fight against gender-based violence and femicide, which President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national crisis.
In closing, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening family support programmes and partnerships with civil society.
Tolashe highlighted “Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility, We must build caring communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
