By Lebohang Mhlongo
Pretoria – The Gauteng Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) regional office visited the communities of Hekpoort and Smoke Down in Mogale City to provide them with information that would help curb child abuse in the areas.
The visit was part of a series of road shows by the Gauteng GCIS aimed at raising awareness about child abuse and children’s rights against the backdrop of Child Protection Week.
Child Protection Week is observed annually to raise awareness around the rights of children as articulated in the Children's Act of 2005 as well as mobilise all sectors of society to ensure that children are cared for and protected. Child Protection Week drew to a close on Sunday.
“The importance of Child Protection Week is to raise awareness about the different forms of child abuse that occur mostly in informal settlements and other communities,” said organiser of the roadshows, Matshidiso Mokoka.
She said the Gauteng GCIS had embarked on the roadshows to to engage and educate the communities in a language that they understood and provide them with relevant information that would help them stamp out the abuse of children.
Mokoka hoped the campaign would be extended beyond one week and become a 365-day awareness drive among South Africans.
On Monday, the road show visited the Hekpoort and Smoke Down where, according to police, many children experience abuse in the form of neglect.
Constable Mvhali, of the South African Police Service in Hekpoort, said they were experiencing cases where young children were being denied the right to education by their parents or care givers as well as parents neglecting to follow up on whether their children were attending school.
The police are working hand-in-hand with victim empowerment NGOs to help curb the problem and other forms of child abuse in the area.
Many of the children and parents who had gathered at the event said they were surprised to learn that denying a child education was a violation of their rights and a form of child abuse.
The communities also have a large percentage of households that are child-headed and parents who abuse alcohol.
Lungi Chinana, a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) in Smoke Down, advised parents in the area that children who did not go to school where more prone to being used by other adults, for instance to push drugs.
In an effort to improve literacy levels in Smoke Down, social auxiliary worker, Tshulufelo Mapomane, said they had introduced Adult-Based Education and Training programmes were members of the community are taught how to read and write.
She said the biggest problem was getting the community, especially adults, interested in such projects because they did not realise the benefits for them and their children.
During Child Protection Week, government strongly condemned the abuse of children, stating that it would not tolerate child abuse.
Acting CEO of GCIS, Phumla Williams, advised communities to be vigilant to child abuse.
“Government calls on all communities to be vigilant about their surroundings and report any strange behaviour by people in their neighbourhood. Let us play our part, as citizens by reporting any suspected child or women abuse around your respective communities,” she urged.
Xolani, 9, and Dikeledi, 7, from the area, said they were excited to learn about child protection and their rights as children.
They said they now knew where in their community they could find help and more information.
The road shows, which have also visited Tsakane and Daveyton, will continue until 17 June. Other districts will include Hammanskraal, Soshanguve, Onverwacht, Ekangala and Sebokeng.
The Gauteng GCIS team will end off the campaign in Diepsloot and Olivenhoutbosch on the 17th June.
Victims and witnesses of child abuse can visit their local NGO or police stations for help or contact Childline on 0800 05 55 55 or Social Development on 0800 60 1011. – SAnews.gov.za
