Joburg celebrates World Children’s Day

The City of Joburg continues to play a critical role in shaping the lives of young people through various programmes run by the Social Development Departmentw.
The 1st of June was pronounced International Children’s Day during the World Conference for the Well- being of Children that was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1925. The day aims to promote the rights and well-being of all children.
The responsibility of protecting children and their rights rests with each one of us. In South Africa, Child Protection Week is commemorated on an annual basis, and the aim of this year is to raise awareness on the rights of children as outlined in the Children’s Act no 38 of 2005.
The Children’s Services Unit offers Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes that focus on creating an enabling environment for children, parents and practitioners. The interventions were developed to improve access to ECD, ensure that practitioners offer quality ECD programmes and that practitioners and children operate in a safe space, as well as assist ECD centres in being compliant. ECDs play a critical role in the development of young people and that is why the City is investing time and effort to give every child an opportunity to access quality education.
The Children’s Unit also supports orphans and vulnerable children by providing health and psychosocial support, as well as the provision of materials such as clothing, school uniform, toys and arranging recreational activities.
The Unit has created digital villages in Region B, D, F and G, where orphans and vulnerable children are taught technological skills and offered career guidance.
“The children in the City of Johannesburg are its treasure and its hope for a brighter tomorrow. Priority 9 of the current administration in the City is to preserve our resources for future generations. It would be absolutely pointless to invest in preservation mechanisms without preserving the very recipients of our legacy. This would entail protecting, nurturing and indeed developing our young to be better than us, so they can flourish in a fast developing world.
“As we continue to improve our service offering for these young ones, we are cognisant of the fast emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, and the need to prepare them to be able to interact and even contribute to this world of the future,” Phalatse said.
Phalatse said everyone has a role; at home, in schools, and in communities; to invest in the mental, physical and social wellbeing of our children, and equally to create an enabling environment for them to maximize their potential.
She said as we herald an end to abuse against innocent children, let us just as loudly pledge our support towards their growth and development. Our children are our treasure and hope.
Phalatse said if we are to sustain our children in the most dignified and optimal manner, the city needs to continue to work with organisations who have the same vision for children.