Heated debate on children’s rights
Despite this year’s child protection week celebration theme: "Children have a good story to tell," many children are still exposed to extreme poverty and child abuse.
MBOMBELA – Despite this year’s child protection week celebration theme: “Children have a good story to tell,” many children are still exposed to extreme poverty and child abuse.
This was raised by Economic Freedom Fighter’s member of parliament, Ms Ayanda Shabalala during the debate on children’s rights at the Provincial Legislature.
Shabalala also expressed disappointment with the ruling party for not prioritising children’s wellbeing while President Jacob Zuma enjoyed opulence using tax payers’ money at Nkandla.
She also raised concern about corruption around the allocation of tenders regarding services meant to serve and benefit children.
“Young learners face abuse on a daily basis when walking to school because scholar transport tenders are given to people who have no regard to children’s wellbeing,” she added.
Concurring with Shabalala, Bushbuckridge Residents Association’s secretary, Mr Cleopas Maonya, emphasized that issues of children should not be politicised but prioritised and ensure that they are well cared for.
“Society is measured by how it treats children, hence I say we should all join hands and concentrate on providing better services for the children of our country,” Maonye pleaded with the Speaker of Legislature, Ms Thandi Shongwe.
The Democratic Alliance outlined some of the issues affecting the youth of the country, particularly youth unemployment.
