Yesterday, 19 May 2024, the Department of Social Development in the Northern Cape and at the national department commemorated Child Protection Week at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley. Gift Mmoletsane, the Assistant Director of Programme and Policy Evaluation at the Department, opened the event by providing context and outlining the events objectives. He highlighted that in 2017, the Department of Education reported 87,000 births to girls aged 10 to 19, mostly in public facilities, a figure that increased to 136,000 the previous year. Among the officials present were Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of the Department, and Nontobeko Vilakazi, the MEC for Social Development in the Northern Cape. Minister Zulu urged parents and beneficiaries to speak out without fear and to report any issues before they escalate. She advised them to approach the nearest office with their concerns. MEC Vilakazi emphasized that child protection should be a year-round endeavor, not just a week or month-long campaign.

Journalist: Mbali Masiza
Email: mbalimasiza198@gmail.com