22 Sept 2007 - Deputy Chairperson's speech at the Annual General Meeting 2007

As always, it is my privilege and distinct pleasure to say a few words about the period under review.  The Fund has shown a steady but firm migration from being a grant-making organisation to a development agency as well as an advocacy institution for the well-being of children and for the development of youth in South Africa and beyond.

In its developmental and advocacy roles, the Fund has consistently made important points about the caring, nurturing, safety and protection of children.  It is now well accepted that the "institutionalisation" of children is a temporary response rather than a permanent solution.  Communities and families are havens for basic forms of care, nurturing, safety and protection and are best positioned to take a frontline responsibility in enabling children to grow in an environment that would enable them to use opportunities that society offers them.

As I have intimated, stable and viable families are extremely necessary for the well-being of children and youth development.  Viable families offer best prospects for our society to achieve stability, prosperity and a brighter future for its children.  This approach is geared at strengthening families, communities and channelling government response to that end.  Therefore, a rights-based approach which makes provision for co-ordinated action on behalf of orphans and vulnerable children is the way to go.

Happily, this message appears to have reached certain quarters of our government.  The National Action Committee for Children affected by AIDS (NACCA) national conference held on 12 to 14 July 2006 and hosted by the Department of Social Development appealed for a national co-ordinated response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children.  The 2006 to 2011 National Strategic Plan initiated by the Department of Health in December of 2006 is also acknowledges the worth of co-ordinated action on this front.  Our models on child care have enjoyed increased appreciation of peer organisations from neighbouring countries including Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Namibia.  The initiation of the orphans and vulnerable children regional network on 10 February 2007 will not only see these models extending their reach in the region but also marks the beginning of an advocacy strategy that promotes co-ordinated action on orphans and vulnerable children amongst our development partners within the South African Development Community.

I must congratulate management for facilitating the involvement of the Fund in the 30th anniversary of June 16 1976.  The Fund did not only support youth programmes but also played a role in the debate on the evolving post-apartheid history.  The Fund also participated in public hearings convened by the parliamentary portfolio committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on 18 October 2006, on issues facing children and youth with disabilities.  The view point of the Fund was well received, particularly because it highlighted the need for action by all concerned parties.

Too many families in South Africa live in abject poverty.  The responsibility of looking after a child with a disability is too onerous for a family with no source of income and knowledge about the availability of public service and assistance.  In this context, instruments that prescribe the rights of children and youth with disabilities should be appreciated and observed by all concerned.

These instruments include the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. As a signatory to the CRC, South Africa is obliged to provide for mentally or physically disabled children in order for them to enjoy full and decent life in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and the active participation of children in the community.  The Convention emphasises the right to education, training, health and rehabilitation, preparation for employment and opportunities for recreation.  To this end, state institutions are accountable for their policies and programmes.

It is now appropriate to give a brief account of a new, exciting but exacting project of the Fund.  At our last annual general meeting our founder, Mr Mandela gave his blessing for the establishment of a child hospital in Gauteng, which we hope will prove to be a child-friendly centre of excellence.  This initiative now enjoys the support of our board of trustees and of other stake-holders including the broader public, private medical care, medical academics, research institutions and business.  The pre-feasibility phase of the project was completed at the end of 2006.  The Fund has now appointed international experts who will help us through to the conclusion of the feasibility study set to be completed by the end of 2007.  Once completed, the child hospital will certainly broaden access to specialised health care for children in need, not only in our country but on the rest of the continent.

There is no doubt that the child hospital project, together with the Fund's knowledge management programmes and its projects on the advancement of the status of women as well as the corporate indaba are tributary elements which will go a long way in the pursuit of the Fund to change the way society treats its children and youth.

In time we will all look back with pride at the evolution of an organisation that was once only a grant maker changing to a dynamic development and advocacy agency.  The Fund has achieved much in the area of knowledge management and of a rights-based approach to children's well-being and youth development.  In doing all this we need to give more of ourselves, our resources, our efforts and goodwill in order to build a capital endowment to sustain the Fund beyond our lives.

It is appropriate to thank all the trustees of the Fund who have made invaluable contribution towards the achievement of the goals we have set for ourselves.  The management team has excelled and to them we also owe a great debt.  And may future years be as promising and kind as the year under review.

Before closing, I would like to say that it gives me great pleasure to call Ms Kathi Scott onto the stage to receive her certificate of service for 10 years with the Fund. 

Kathi hails from our office in London and has contributed immensely to the success of this affiliate.

God bless.

Dikgang Moseneke

Deputy Chairperson