As South Africans observe Mandela Month, communities are encouraged to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy by protecting and caring for the country's most vulnerable citizens – its children.
With schools closed for the winter holidays, parents and guardians are being urged to remain vigilant and prioritise the safety and well-being of children both at home and online.
The school holidays provide children with an opportunity to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy recreational activities. However, they also present increased risks if children are left unsupervised or exposed to unsafe environments, particularly online.
Parents are encouraged to monitor their children's daily activities and limit the amount of time they spend on the internet. Knowing which apps, websites and online platforms children use can help protect them from cyberbullying, online exploitation and child sexual predators.
Families travelling or visiting public places during the holidays should also take practical safety precautions. Parents should agree on a designated meeting point with their children in case they become separated and teach them to seek assistance from a police officer, security official, trusted adult or someone working at a nearby shop if they get lost.
Children should also be reminded never to keep secrets from their parents or guardians, especially if they have been approached by a stranger or made to feel uncomfortable.
Authorities stress that if a child goes missing, every minute counts. There is no waiting period to report a missing child, and parents or guardians should immediately report the matter at their nearest police station.
Additional assistance is available through Crime Stop on 08600 10111, the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428, and Missing Children South Africa on 072 647 7464. Reports can also be submitted online via Missing Children South Africa.
This Mandela Month, communities are reminded that making a difference begins with simple acts of care and responsibility. By keeping children safe, remaining vigilant and supporting families, every South African can contribute to building the caring, compassionate society that Nelson Mandela envisioned.
July is observed as Mandela Month, a global movement that honors the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela by encouraging individuals and communities to dedicate 67 minutes of service to help others. The UN-recognised Nelson Mandela International Day takes place on his birthday, 18 July.
In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country must use Mandela Day to refocus efforts to tackle poverty and inequality.
"We must sustain our investment in the education and health of our people, prioritising the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. We must continue to direct energy and resources towards strengthening early learning in our schools and completing the overhaul of our skills development system. At the same time, we must continue to build a health care system that provides quality care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.
"The acts of service we perform this Saturday are not merely symbolic gestures, disconnected from the harder business of building institutions, driving investment, and changing systems and policies. They are part of the same effort," he said. – SAnews.gov.za
