JOHANNESBURG – Heritage Month should be characterised by the reflection on the rich and beautiful heritage our beloved country has to offer not only to tourists but to their citizens alike.
Central to the attributes South Africa prides itself on is the notion of Ubuntu that we uphold dearly with distinction, one key human factor that puts us on the map.
Contrary to this, we are inundated by daily reports of child neglect, sexual molestations, abductions and the involvement in cross fire. These incidents have an enduring effect on the child’s cognitive and psychological well-being, often leaving behind the scars of not knowing who the next victim will be in this violent society we are living in.
The latest incidents that took place in places such as Reiger Park, Westbury and the latest story of Mahlodi (5), a young girl from Phomolong in Tembisa who was found dead, allegedly raped and strangled, are just a few indicative of a society gradually losing the values that makes us African through practicing and embracing the values of Ubuntu. Perhaps the fundamental question each and every one of us should be asking is, where did we go wrong?
As the late statesman once said “A better society will and must be measured by the happiness and welfare of the children, at once the most vulnerable citizens in any society and the greatest of our treasures.”
Often the affected families engage in settlements out of court for monetary reward, hence the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act to arrest such persons is welcomed by many quarters of the society.
Others remain mum as some incidents are perpetrated by those most entrusted, being father, brother, uncle under the pretext of the perpetrator being the breadwinner or it may bring shame to the family. What we don’t realise, is that by not reporting incidents to the police or elders in the family, we are gradually creating a habitual monster who will turn repeated offenders into hardened criminals in need of rehabilitation at a later stage.
Let’s all band together and reiterate what UNICEF has been preaching by taking a firm stance and say no to violence against children. All forms of violence against children are preventable, all it takes is the will to go back to the basics, where my child is your child.
Busi Kheswa, Gauteng Department of Community Safety
