5 May 2010
Child Protection Week (26 May – 2 June)
“Working together we can do more to develop caring communities that protect our children”
This is the 13th year of the annual national CPW campaign to educate and mobilise communities to put children first, led by the Department of Social Development
- The concept of CPW stems from the African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” emphasising the role of the wider community in keeping children safe.
- Citizens, families and communities must ensure that we do not become silent partners of this disease of child abuse and neglect, and report such cases to the authorities promptly.
- Our responsibility is to report such cases without delay and show our support by wearing a Green Ribbon, which is the official logo of the campaign. This symbolises protection, life and growth.
- This year, the CPW will be used to launch the National Action Plan to protect children during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM and beyond.
Government has embarked on a comprehensive action plan to mitigate all risks associated with the World Cup to ensure that all children are protected from criminal activities.
- Social-work professionals will be deployed at public viewing areas and in all host cities. Activities will include establishing the joint national and provincial command centres and ensuring that child and youthcare centres are able to receive emergency referrals and placements and have 24-hour services available.
- This also includes the deployment of foreign–language interpreters and stand–by professionals who will provide counselling services to victims, should the need arise
- The National Child Protection Register online notification system serves as a central repository of exploitation cases monitored and children referred.
- The justice system has dedicated courts and is also responsible for prevention campaigns regarding children’s matters pertaining to the law. The South African Police Service ensures the safety and protection of children in terms of the legislative framework and personnel are also trained to ensure that the best protection is provided to children.
- Parents and caregivers must ensure that proper supervision is provided and precautionary measures are taken during the extended closure of schools for the mid–term vacation. Communities should plan together to assist one another in this regard.
Government remains committed to protect and promote children’s rights in partnership with civil society
- After 1994, South Africa, under then President Nelson Mandela, ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In so doing, the country committed itself to implementing the principle of “first call for children”.
- Our Constitution firmly put the rights of children at the core of government’s work, wherein the needs of children are considered paramount in government programmes and services.
- The Children's Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005), (as amended), came into operation on 1 April 2010. The Act sets out principles relating to the care and protection of children, defines parental responsibilities and rights and provides for matters such as children's courts, adoption, child abduction and surrogate motherhood. As the main piece of legislation pertaining to the protection of children, the Act will be officially launched on 24 May 2010 to kick start the CPW.
- A bouquet of programmes and services are required to ensure that we provide a safe and nurturing environment for our children to develop. The dedicated Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is mandated to monitor and evaluate the protection of children’s rights by organs of state, civil society and the private sector.
World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA)
“Rethinking Africa's Growth Strategy”
Heads of state and government, including prominent business leaders from around the continent will gather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the annual meeting of the WEFA from 5 to 7 May 2010. The theme and structure of the meeting will focus on Rethinking Africa's growth strategy.
- WEFA creates an opportunity for South Africa to present the growing range of developments and opportunities within the continent that are of interest to the international investor community, and to contextualise issues that may be generating concern internationally.
- WEFA provides an opportunity for African leaders, international organisations and the private sector to engage on the basis of the continent’s developmental and economic priorities and challenges in an interactive manner.
- Africa will play an important role in helping support the world economy through the global economic crisis. African and emerging economies are key to an early worldwide recovery as they play a strong role in mitigating the impact on the real economy.
- The deeper integration of African economies and more rapid economic growth in Africa and the developing world generally carries with it extensive benefits for the world economy.
South Africa is committed to advancing the African Agenda and securing greater equity within the international system
- South Africa promotes the national, regional and continental socio-economic development imperatives, as embodied in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development's principles and objectives
- South Africa is committed to regional market integration that is developmental in nature and recognises that its destiny is inextricably linked to that of the region and the continent. Through its participation in the African Union, we are key role players in the fast-changing global governance landscape, often providing a link between Africa, developing countries and international structures.
- The WEFA is an important opportunity to join the global debate on how African countries, communities and companies ought to rethink their strategies in view of the unfolding global transformation.
South Africa matters as an emerging market because it is a truly Global Player.
- South Africa is a key player in global institutions including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations system (including the International Atomy Energy Agency) and is playing a pivotal role in the reshaping of global governance, financial and trade architecture reflecting new realities.
- South Africa represents a unique mix of North and South combined with our proven gift for negotiation, conflict resolution and reconciliation which makes us an important interlocutor in a world where power relations are undergoing profound change.
- South African corporates continue to forge global alliances and play a critical role in the growth of both regional and international economies, transferring skills and expertise, offering fresh solutions in all areas of work. South Africa also promotes the importance of public–private collaboration in maximising opportunities on the continent.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a major opportunity for South Africa and the rest of the continent to showcase the enormous progress that the continent has achieved
- The investment in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will accelerate growth and development in South Africa. It will benefit the continent as a whole and it will leave a lasting legacy.
- The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will accelerate the improvement of emergency medical services, including better ambulances, upgrades to emergency health centres and training. It will leave the country with state–of–the–art safety and security technology with better aligned immigration processes and practices.
- The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ brings skills development and employment opportunities. The country’s small enterprises sector stands to benefit as various sectors prepare for the tournament.
- South Africa takes pride in its track record of hosting major international events, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, establishing the AU 2000 and hosting the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, which required protection for more than 100 heads of state.
Highlights
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Appointment of Minister Manuel to United Nations (UN) panel
National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel has been appointed as a member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing. The group was established by UN Secretary–General Ban Ki–Moon to mobilise financing to assist developing countries in combating climate change.
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Roll–out of solar geysers
President Jacob Zuma recently launched government's roll–out of solar water heaters. Government is targeting the installation of one million new solar water heaters by 2014 within the industrial sector to supplement the country’s energy shortages and chronic unemployment. The initiative forms part of the 200 000 solar water heaters that the Department of Energy says should be installed by the end of this fiscal year.
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System to boost passport control
The Department of Home Affairs has put in place a new system that will increase the security of our national borders by monitoring the movement of people. The Movement Control System will act as an early warning for government agencies to track visitors with false passports and visas and even detect if a person is being sought by the police or Interpol. This system is already being implemented to also secure the movement of tourists into and out of the country for the FIFA World Cup.
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World Cup security plan
Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele, said the country’s 2010 Security Plan was well received by security experts from the 32 participating countries and by 188 Interpol member countries. The South African Police Service will deploy about 46 000 members in all nine host cities and other strategic areas. These include all ports of entry, airports, sea ports and all 54 land ports.
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Tourism Indaba (8-11 May 2010)
The 2010 Tourism Indaba will focus on the World Cup legacy, from immediate to medium and long–term gains impacting on the achievement of our developmental agenda. The annual Indaba will also showcase the best tourism products and services and celebrate the industry’s achievements.
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King Shaka International ready for take-off
King Shaka International, KwaZulu–Natal’s new airport, is up and running. The R7,2-million airport is South Africa's third–largest and has been built to process up to 7,5 million passengers a year.
Governance and service delivery
- South African Local Government Association (SALGA) National Assembly (SNA) (10 – 12 May 2010)The theme of the (SNA) is: Together serving our people with integrity and dedication to speed up service delivery. The SNA will focus on various strategic issues in the local government sector.