Pretoria - As National Child Protection Week (CPW) came to a close on Sunday, first lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma donated medical supplies to a children’s unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, in Soweto.
The Bongi Ngema-Zuma Foundation together with the Southern African Chinese Women's Association marked CPW, which began on 1 June, by donating to children in the paediatric oncology unit at the hospital.
The supplies and equipment had been purchased with donations to the value of R100 000 which was raised by the foundation.
"Protecting the health of our children is a vital aspect of protecting their wellbeing as a whole. We were inspired to make a donation to this unit in particular after an event that struck very close to home.
“The child of one of the foundation's ambassadors Thulani Ncube's son is a cancer survivor and was treated for leukaemia here. So this is a small way of saying ‘thank you' for the extraordinary work that is being done here everyday,” she said.
Among the items donated to the hospital were 20 stethoscopes; a computer and a printer; a wheelchair and educational toys.
"Every child deserves quality health care in a caring and enabling environment,” she added.
Meanwhile, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has called on South Africans to assist vulnerable children who have no one to look after them.
"We call on South Africans who have the means to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate, especially children, as we enter the cold season by offering food, blankets and warm clothing," said Minister Dlamini.
CPW is observed in South Africa annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005. - SAnews.gov.za
