Children’s Safety – A priority for All

As the country observes Child Protection Week, it is concerning that; we are currently experiencing high incidences of abuse in schools.

The school is supposed to be a safe place where children are protected and natured.

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (The Fund) is extremely concerned about the incident that was reported in the Sowetan newspaper (29 May 2018)  where it is alleged that juvenile inmates were invited by teachers at Tshepagalang Secondary School in Brits, to motivate the pupils against drug abuse. 
Instead of the intended motivational talks, it is further alleged that children were locked in the school premises and beaten up by the inmates. This extremely bizarre action presents many question and bring back the issue of treatment of children who are in conflict with the law who are called ‘juveniles’ to whom the state has a duty of care, but in this case were used as scare-crows for so-called ill-behaved pupils.

The Fund will be following this matter up to ensure that duty bearers are held accountable for failure to provide a safe learning environment.
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Until the children are safe from abuse, bullying, hunger and system failure, we will continue to stand and fight for their Rights by upholding our founder’s vision of Changing the Way Society Treats It’s Children and Youth. 

Link to original reported story: https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-05-29-hell-breaks-loose-as-inmates-attack-pupils/ 

#AMandelaInEveryGeneration
#ChildProtectionWeek
#ChildProtection&Safety 

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund in partnership with the Department of Tourism will be hosting Youth Summit in Cape Town, 9-13 July 2018 under the theme: “A Mandela in Every Generation”. 
The Youth Summit will create a unique opportunity for children and youth to have their voices heard on matters that affects them. Furthermore provide a platform for children and youth to engage with different institutions such as Chapter 9 Institutions, business, political leaders and other leaders from the society. 
In addition the 2018 Youth Summit will also acknowledge 100 Young Thought Leaders who were nurtured by the Fund since 2002. These are young people who have participated in Efeng Bacha, Children’s Parliament and other various programmes of the Fund. The outgoing Efeng Bacha Youth Advisory Board members will pass on the leadership baton to Young Thought Leaders who will be launched at the summit to take over the discussion of leadership forward. The acknowledgement of the 100 young leaders will be celebrated at summit Evening Gala Dinner.     
As part of the 2018 Centenary Celebrations, the Fund it will co-host the 2018 Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Youth Summit in partnership with the National Department of Tourism and Human Right Commission of South Africa. 
The partnership with the National Department of Tourism creates an opportunity for exposing children and youth historical footprints on the life of Mr. Mandela Footprints. The children and youth will visit heritage sites which has significance in Mr. Mandela’s life journey as part of promoting domestic tourism amongst children and youth. Tourism contributes to the social fibre and interlinking of different communities across the country.
Objectives of the Summit

• To further strengthen the understanding, appreciation and participation of children and youth in our Constitutional Democracy. 
• To deliberate on matters highlighted by previous children’s parliament sittings as well youth provincial consultations. 
• The conveners are convinced that children and youth must be familiar with their stories, history and geography to play a significant role. 
• To expose children and young people to prospects and opportunities in domestic tourism.