The proposal faces inefficiency within social development agencies and strained relationships with NGOs that provide the majority of services.
Approximately 1,100 children were involved.
murdered
In South Africa during the previous fiscal year, as reported by the South African Police Service (SAPS), these figures reflect significant incidents involving minors. Additionally, estimations from investigative units indicate approximately 1,181 children fell victim to attempted homicide and about 6,209 suffered severe physical assaults within only the most recent three-quarters of the current 2024/25 fiscal period.
It’s evident that South Africa faces a significant issue with child violence. During the nation’s Child Protection Week, those responsible for safeguarding children must take stronger action.
In November 2024, the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Eradicating Violence Against Children was held in Bogotá, Colombia. The country’s Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe, participated alongside ministers from 102 additional nations.
pledging
A comprehensive strategy aimed at preventing and addressing violence towards children.
South Africa pledged to undertake multiple initiatives by 2027. Among these commitments was the implementation of evidence-based policies.
parenting
programs across 52 regions aimed at ensuring secure homes for children, along with reducing child maltreatment and the application of physical punishment by parents and caretakers.
An alternative approach to implementing the 2024 Amendments to the Basic Education Act
Act
By 2027, this legislation aims to enhance safety within educational settings. It tightens restrictions against physical punishments in schools and imposes harsher consequences for individuals who resort to such methods.
South Africa further vowed to make sure that mental health support services are accessible around the clock for parents and caregivers experiencing distress. Additionally, they aim to expand the coverage of the 365 Days Child Protection Programme of Action—designed to prevent and address child abuse—to encompass 52 regions. The country also promised to enhance the capabilities of caregivers and front-line staff so as to minimize and deter cyber-violence targeting children.
Reaching these goals could ensure the protection of children and possibly reduce violence throughout South Africa.
This is crucial since violence towards children incurs significant expenses for individuals, families, and the government. A 2015
study
According to research conducted by Save the Children South Africa and the University of Cape Town, violence against children incurs an annual expense for the nation amounting to R238.58 billion, which represents 6% of the gross domestic product. These statistics represent the latest data accessible; however, it’s important to acknowledge that these expenses would likely be even higher now than at the time of reporting.
Investing in preventing and mitigating violence against children is critically important. This initiative will not only reduce expenses but also aid in boosting South Africa’s school graduation rates, thereby
reduce
joblessness and reliance on government assistance.
Turning this commitment into reality serves the best interest of all South Africans. This initiative enjoys strong backing from numerous civil society groups that the Department of Social Development must collaborate with to execute the programs detailed in the pledge.
The biggest hurdle is this: At both the national level and in multiple provincial areas, the department’s approach towards NGOs and those they assist lacks respect and empathy, putting numerous lives in danger. There is a climate of distrust and tension between the department and civil society organizations that needs urgent transformation.
While Tolashe was unveiling her strategy in Bogotá, the Gauteng High Court issued a third judgment.
forcing
The provincial Social Development Department was supposed to compensate NGOs with which it had signed contracts to offer services. However, as of then, these NGOs hadn’t been paid for delivering services on behalf of the government for half a year.
This deficiency does not stem from inadequate funding. During the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Gauteng provincial department faced this issue.
underspent
Its budget was reduced by half a billion rand.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial department has not yet done so.
paid
The NGOs providing services encountered issues with payments scheduled for the initial three months of 2025, which left organizations incapable of meeting expenses like employee wages or basic needs such as meals for kids.
Although departmental social workers could assist in providing the services outlined in the pledge, they are primarily focused on addressing severe instances of child abuse and neglect, as well as offering support throughout legal proceedings. In all likelihood, without non-governmental organizations, the government would struggle to fulfill its commitment to preventing and decreasing violence towards children.
The department has several positive actions it can undertake, such as adopting the Sector Funding Policy.
SFP
). This outlines why services for children are a priority, and lays the basis for multi-year funding for NGOs that provide these vital services on behalf of the state. Funding certainty would help reduce the sector’s insecurity and enable relations between the department and its service providers to be repaired.
Nevertheless, the implementation of SFP is absent from all planning documents, and indications suggest that the national department lacks adequate capacity. A sign of this deficiency is their failure to finalize memorandums of understanding with NGOs offering the department complimentary technical assistance. Since the 2020/21 fiscal year, the national department has not been allocated sufficient funds.
clean
audit.
These instances extend past mere technical hitches; they reveal persistent mismanagement, inadequate planning, and an absence of fundamental operational skills within both national and provincial Social Development agencies. It’s imperative for the minister to acknowledge that maintaining the current state will not suffice. Effective and robust guidance is essential to facilitate a shift, with a particular emphasis on ensuring tangible outcomes.
To fulfill its significant commitment, the minister needs to concentrate on restoring the damaged relations between her department and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, she should face accountability for ongoing failings within the department that continue to worsen each day.
The department needs to guarantee that officials address families comprehensively. At present, Social Development handles issues faced by individual family members independently rather than tackling them as part of an entire familial unit. For South Africa’s progress, it is crucial for the country’s youth to flourish—this necessitates offering families cohesive, integrated support services.
Civil society organizations are prepared to undertake the necessary efforts and collaborate with the department to realize a nation where children can thrive safely. However, they cannot continue to remain passive as services for children and families suffer due to the department’s incompetence and lack of direction.
Chandré Gould
Senior Research Fellow focusing on Justice and Violence Prevention
Gugu Xaba
, Executive Director, Save the Children South Africa
Suzan Eriksson
, Independent Consultant
Wilmi Dippenaar
, Director, South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network
Monica Woodhouse
, the South African National Child Rights Coalition along with Give a Child a Family Africa
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
