LATEST MEDIA RELEASES |
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28 MAY 2019
National Children’s Manifesto 2019
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26 April 2018
Making communities safer for children
| making_communities_safer_for_children.docx |
05 December 2017
NMCF Celebrates International Volunteer Day
| NMCF Celebrates International Volunteer Day |
5th October 2016
Invitation to the 2016 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament.
| media_invitation.pdf |
27th July 2016
Nelson Mandela Children’s Condemns Cruelty against Children
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Fund) is deeply saddened by the recent occurrences of cruelty against children in our country and the SADC region.
As proponents of the child’s rights advocacy, the Fund’s vision to “change the way society treats its children and youth’ inspires all to be more vigilant in dealing with challenges affecting the children in our communities.
The Fund is disturbed by recent media reports regarding corporal punishment unleashed on learners in the Western Cape schools and the Fund is equally shocked by the human trafficking incident involving 57 Malawian children who were rescued by the Northwest police in the town of Rustenburg.
The Fund’s CEO, Sibongile Mkhabela, has described both occurrences as inhumane and a betrayal of African Children.
“These acts of cowardice and brutality against the most vulnerable members of our society must be condemned in the strongest terms; our anger and disgust must however go beyond condemnation, we must all recommit ourselves to Nelson Mandela’s purpose of establishing a Children’s Fund and its vision to change the way society treats its children and youth. It is truly un-African and ruthless to squash 57 children in a panel-van with no windows and drive thousands of kilometres from Malawi to South Africa, what kind of a man does these terrible things to children. In the African culture we say it takes a village to raise a child and we should embrace this narrative and practice it diligently,” commented Mkhabela.
The Fund urges members of the society to be vigilant in ensuring the safety and protection of children and reminds all by quoting its founder’s speech, Nelson R. Mandela - “There can be no keener revelation in the way society treats its children and youth. We come from a past in which the lives of our children were assaulted and devastated in countless ways. It would be no exaggeration to speak of a national abuse of a generation by a society which it should have been able to trust. As we set about building a new South Africa, one of our highest priorities must therefore be our children. The vision of a new society that guides us should already be manifest in the steps we take to address the wrong done to our youth and to prepare for their future. Our actions and policies, and the institutions we create, should be eloquent with care, respect and love.”
The Fund also conveys its good wishes to the families and children affected by the devastating tornado blitz in Tembisa.
End…
Media Enquiries:
Kagiso Bonoko
Communications Officer
Office: (011) 274-5600
Mobile: 079 768 8070
kagisob@nmcf.co.za
Or
Mpaki Pule
Office: (011) 274-5600
Email: mpakip@nmcf.co.za
As proponents of the child’s rights advocacy, the Fund’s vision to “change the way society treats its children and youth’ inspires all to be more vigilant in dealing with challenges affecting the children in our communities.
The Fund is disturbed by recent media reports regarding corporal punishment unleashed on learners in the Western Cape schools and the Fund is equally shocked by the human trafficking incident involving 57 Malawian children who were rescued by the Northwest police in the town of Rustenburg.
The Fund’s CEO, Sibongile Mkhabela, has described both occurrences as inhumane and a betrayal of African Children.
“These acts of cowardice and brutality against the most vulnerable members of our society must be condemned in the strongest terms; our anger and disgust must however go beyond condemnation, we must all recommit ourselves to Nelson Mandela’s purpose of establishing a Children’s Fund and its vision to change the way society treats its children and youth. It is truly un-African and ruthless to squash 57 children in a panel-van with no windows and drive thousands of kilometres from Malawi to South Africa, what kind of a man does these terrible things to children. In the African culture we say it takes a village to raise a child and we should embrace this narrative and practice it diligently,” commented Mkhabela.
The Fund urges members of the society to be vigilant in ensuring the safety and protection of children and reminds all by quoting its founder’s speech, Nelson R. Mandela - “There can be no keener revelation in the way society treats its children and youth. We come from a past in which the lives of our children were assaulted and devastated in countless ways. It would be no exaggeration to speak of a national abuse of a generation by a society which it should have been able to trust. As we set about building a new South Africa, one of our highest priorities must therefore be our children. The vision of a new society that guides us should already be manifest in the steps we take to address the wrong done to our youth and to prepare for their future. Our actions and policies, and the institutions we create, should be eloquent with care, respect and love.”
The Fund also conveys its good wishes to the families and children affected by the devastating tornado blitz in Tembisa.
End…
Media Enquiries:
Kagiso Bonoko
Communications Officer
Office: (011) 274-5600
Mobile: 079 768 8070
kagisob@nmcf.co.za
Or
Mpaki Pule
Office: (011) 274-5600
Email: mpakip@nmcf.co.za
| nelson_mandela_childrens_fund_-media_release_-child_cruelty_27july2017_.pdf |
15th July 2016
Madiba’s Legacy through the eyes of a child
Johannesburg: The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Fund) has on Friday 15 July 2016 celebrated significant milestones in the 21 years of its existence. A moment of silence was observed for the deceased 7 children and 1 caregiver at the Lakehaven Child and Youthcare Centre in Durban before the celebration proceedings commenced.
The Fund, its main beneficiaries the children and other partners celebrated the birthday of its late Founder Nelson R. Mandela at the Johannesburg office. The celebration was used to reflect on the achievements of the Fund in changing the lives of the children for the better, the building of a new Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital that is due to open in due course; and the completion of a new five year strategy from 2016 to 2021.
The new strategy was informed by a comprehensive research on the state of the South African Children; and the findings identified poverty, lack of access to quality education, and lack of formal housing as some of the pressing issues affecting children. This research has informed the Fund’s new strategy which will focus on three overarching themes being Child Survival and Development; Child Safety and Protection and Youth Leadership. The Fund is emboldened by these interventions and preparations are well underway to roll out together with its implementing partners.
1. Child Survival & Development (First 1000 Days of a Child’s Life)
The programme focuses primarily on reduction in Child Mortality, access to health care, and an improved and responsive care systems for children under 3 years of age.
2. Child Safety & Protection (Safe Schools)
The programme has its core focus on prevention of sexual violence, prevention of bullying, conviction of perpetrators, and creating safe spaces for children.
3. Youth Leadership (Youth Think Tanks)
The programme focuses on ethical leadership, civic participation, human rights and entrepreneurship
As the Fund marks 21 years of existence, the theme - “Madiba’s legacy through the eyes of a child”; is a befitting tribute to the Founder.
The Fund CEO Sibongile Mkhabela says the organisation will continue to honour Mr Mandela’s wish of celebrating his birthday with the children, and she welcomed guests from Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria by saying Madiba stood for all Children of the African continent. Also present at the event was the Head Coach of the South African Senior Men’s National Team (Bafana Bafana) Shakes Mashaba, who recently won the COSAFA Championship in Namibia.
“For many years Madiba gave fully his time and energy; engaging the youth in vibrant discussions about their dreams and hopes; telling stories; and finally sharing his birthday cake with his eager little guests. In memory of Madiba, we continue to celebrate his birthday by giving our children the space to play, speak and command attention. Together with our NGO and corporate partners we are privileged to honour the country's youngest citizens. This year we will again be with our children doing what we do best; giving them a chance to be kids, and ensuring that their voices are heard. We are honoured to have the doyen of African story telling Gcina Mhlophe narrating Madiba’s life journey to the children”; said Mkhabela.
The story telling tradition will create an environment for children to talk to each other and express their views through art and play.
The event presented an opportunity for children and young people who have never interacted with Mr. Mandela to learn about his values and principles through storytelling, poetry, dance, painting, exhibition stalls, Spelling BEE, Video Screening, rides, jumping castle and other artistic activities for children.
The cutting of a well decorated birthday cake brought joy and excitement to the children.
The Fund, its main beneficiaries the children and other partners celebrated the birthday of its late Founder Nelson R. Mandela at the Johannesburg office. The celebration was used to reflect on the achievements of the Fund in changing the lives of the children for the better, the building of a new Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital that is due to open in due course; and the completion of a new five year strategy from 2016 to 2021.
The new strategy was informed by a comprehensive research on the state of the South African Children; and the findings identified poverty, lack of access to quality education, and lack of formal housing as some of the pressing issues affecting children. This research has informed the Fund’s new strategy which will focus on three overarching themes being Child Survival and Development; Child Safety and Protection and Youth Leadership. The Fund is emboldened by these interventions and preparations are well underway to roll out together with its implementing partners.
1. Child Survival & Development (First 1000 Days of a Child’s Life)
The programme focuses primarily on reduction in Child Mortality, access to health care, and an improved and responsive care systems for children under 3 years of age.
2. Child Safety & Protection (Safe Schools)
The programme has its core focus on prevention of sexual violence, prevention of bullying, conviction of perpetrators, and creating safe spaces for children.
3. Youth Leadership (Youth Think Tanks)
The programme focuses on ethical leadership, civic participation, human rights and entrepreneurship
As the Fund marks 21 years of existence, the theme - “Madiba’s legacy through the eyes of a child”; is a befitting tribute to the Founder.
The Fund CEO Sibongile Mkhabela says the organisation will continue to honour Mr Mandela’s wish of celebrating his birthday with the children, and she welcomed guests from Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria by saying Madiba stood for all Children of the African continent. Also present at the event was the Head Coach of the South African Senior Men’s National Team (Bafana Bafana) Shakes Mashaba, who recently won the COSAFA Championship in Namibia.
“For many years Madiba gave fully his time and energy; engaging the youth in vibrant discussions about their dreams and hopes; telling stories; and finally sharing his birthday cake with his eager little guests. In memory of Madiba, we continue to celebrate his birthday by giving our children the space to play, speak and command attention. Together with our NGO and corporate partners we are privileged to honour the country's youngest citizens. This year we will again be with our children doing what we do best; giving them a chance to be kids, and ensuring that their voices are heard. We are honoured to have the doyen of African story telling Gcina Mhlophe narrating Madiba’s life journey to the children”; said Mkhabela.
The story telling tradition will create an environment for children to talk to each other and express their views through art and play.
The event presented an opportunity for children and young people who have never interacted with Mr. Mandela to learn about his values and principles through storytelling, poetry, dance, painting, exhibition stalls, Spelling BEE, Video Screening, rides, jumping castle and other artistic activities for children.
The cutting of a well decorated birthday cake brought joy and excitement to the children.
Media Enquiries
Kagiso Bonoko
Communications Officer
Office: (011) 274-5600
Mobile: 079 768 8070
kagisob@nmcf.co.za
Communications Officer
Office: (011) 274-5600
Mobile: 079 768 8070
kagisob@nmcf.co.za
Mpaki Pule
Office: (011) 274-5600
Email: mpakip@nmcf.co.za
Office: (011) 274-5600
Email: mpakip@nmcf.co.za
| annual_children_celebration_media_release_-_15july2016.pdf |
15 July 2016
MEDIA ALERT
Preparations for the Annual Children Celebration are well underway. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and its various stakeholders will reflect on the legacy of the organisation’s late Founder, Nelson R. Mandela.
The Celebration will be particularly Special for the Children of the African Continent with the imminent opening of the New Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.
The theme for this year’s birthday celebration is “Madiba through the eyes of a child”, based on his values and principles.
The creative arts programme will be directed by the doyen of African story-telling, Gcina Mhlophe, while the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament Ambassadors will be giving an update on the child participation programmes that they facilitate in communities they reside in.
You are cordially invited to join us and kindly RSVP through Kagiso Bonoko. Event details are as follows:
Date: 15 July 2016 (Friday)
Time: 09h00 – 12h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Offices
21 Eastwold Way, corner Oxford Road Saxonwold,
Gauteng
GPS Coordinates: -26.164394, 28.047578
Media Enquiries:
Kagiso Bonoko – Communications Officer
Mobile: +27 (0) 79 768 8070
Office: +27 (0) 11 – 274 5624
Email: KagisoB@nmcf.co.za
Note for Editors:
Kindly note that the CEO of the Fund and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Sibongile Mkhabela, will be available for interviews at the event.
The Celebration will be particularly Special for the Children of the African Continent with the imminent opening of the New Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.
The theme for this year’s birthday celebration is “Madiba through the eyes of a child”, based on his values and principles.
The creative arts programme will be directed by the doyen of African story-telling, Gcina Mhlophe, while the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament Ambassadors will be giving an update on the child participation programmes that they facilitate in communities they reside in.
You are cordially invited to join us and kindly RSVP through Kagiso Bonoko. Event details are as follows:
Date: 15 July 2016 (Friday)
Time: 09h00 – 12h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Offices
21 Eastwold Way, corner Oxford Road Saxonwold,
Gauteng
GPS Coordinates: -26.164394, 28.047578
Media Enquiries:
Kagiso Bonoko – Communications Officer
Mobile: +27 (0) 79 768 8070
Office: +27 (0) 11 – 274 5624
Email: KagisoB@nmcf.co.za
Note for Editors:
Kindly note that the CEO of the Fund and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Sibongile Mkhabela, will be available for interviews at the event.
| media_alert_-_invitation_-_annual_children_birthday_celebration1.pdf |